Baggage Fees Compared 2026: FlySafair vs Lift vs Airlink vs CemAir vs SAA
Every South African airline charges differently for checked bags, and the gate-side carry-on weigh-in catches more travellers than late check-in ever does. Here's every fee, every limit, and the exact tool to check your bag before you fly.
- At a glance: baggage fees across 6 SA airlines
- Carry-on size and weight limits
- Checked baggage fees, online vs airport
- Why Airlink can actually be cheapest
- Regional and African route differences
- What happened to Kulula & Mango?
- 5 ways to avoid baggage surcharges
- Check your bag before you fly
- Frequently asked questions
At a Glance: Baggage Fees Across South Africa's Operating Airlines
South African booking aggregators rarely put all the country's operating carriers side by side on baggage — most comparisons stop at FlySafair vs Lift. Here's the full 2026 picture across the airlines actually flying today: FlySafair, Lift, Airlink, CemAir and SAA. (If you're looking for Kulula or Mango, see the note below — both have ceased operations.)
| Airline | Carry-on (included) | Checked bag (online, ~20kg) | Checked bag (airport) | Free checked bag on some fares? |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| FlySafair Budget | 7kg + small underseat item | R155 (20kg) | R350 | Yes — Standard fares include a 20kg bag |
| Lift Budget+ | 7kg + personal item | R300 (23kg) | R300 — same as online | Yes — Economy Bag & Premium fares (23kg) |
| SAA (South African Airways) Full-service | 8kg + personal item | Often included | N/A on included fares | Yes — checked bag included on most fares |
| Airlink Full-service | 8kg + personal item | Included — 20kg allowance (Economy) | Excess: ±R38/kg + VAT over allowance | Yes — 20kg Economy / 30kg Business, all fares |
| CemAir Regional | 7kg, 55x35x20cm | Included — 20kg on standard fares | Per CemAir excess rates | Yes — 20kg on standard fares |
Carry-On Size and Weight Limits
All the operating carriers converge on a near-identical cabin bag standard, which makes this the easiest limit to plan around — and the one travellers most often get caught out on, because gate staff actively weigh and measure bags during busy periods.
| Airline | Max dimensions | Max weight | Personal item |
|---|---|---|---|
| FlySafair | 56 x 36 x 23cm | 7kg | Not separately specified — combine into the 7kg bag |
| Lift | 56 x 36 x 23cm | 7kg | Small additional item permitted |
| SAA | 56 x 36 x 23cm | 8kg | Laptop bag/handbag permitted in addition |
| Airlink | 56 x 36 x 23cm | 8kg | Laptop bag/handbag permitted in addition |
| CemAir | 55 x 35 x 20cm | 7kg | Not separately specified |
Checked Baggage Fees: Online vs Airport
The exact numbers make the case better than any range. On FlySafair, a 20kg checked bag added online during booking or via My Booking costs R155. The identical bag purchased at the OR Tambo or Cape Town International check-in counter costs R350 — more than double. Adding it through the call centre works too, but carries a R200 service fee, so the online portal is always the cheapest channel. A second bag costs R250 online, and any bag between 20kg and 32kg attracts a R250 heavy-bag penalty at the airport.
Across a FlySafair return trip with a bag each way, buying at the counter instead of online hands the airline R390 for nothing — frequently more than the fare difference between airlines on the route. On Lift the maths differs: R300 per 23kg bag whether purchased online or at the airport, with a R200 heavy-bag fee between 23kg and 32kg. Run the full trip cost through our fly-vs-drive calculator if you're weighing up driving instead.
Why Airlink Can Actually Be the Cheapest Overall
Airlink's base fares usually look higher than FlySafair or Lift — which is why most price-first comparisons dismiss it immediately. But every Airlink Economy fare includes a 20kg checked allowance (30kg in Business) under its weight-based system, so the maths can flip entirely — and excess weight is priced per kilogram at around R38/kg plus VAT on domestic sectors, meaning 4kg over costs roughly R175 rather than a flat penalty. Golfers get a genuine bonus: up to 15kg of sports equipment on top of the normal allowance.
Example: a FlySafair fare at R900 plus its R155 online checked bag totals R1,055. If Airlink's equivalent fare is R1,020 with the 20kg allowance already included, Airlink is the cheaper option for anyone checking luggage — despite the higher sticker price on the search results page. Always add the realistic baggage cost to the base fare before comparing, not just the headline ticket price.
Regional and African Route Differences
Baggage policies on Airlink, CemAir and SAA routes to regional African destinations — Maputo, Harare, Lusaka, Livingstone, Victoria Falls, Windhoek — can differ from their domestic South African policies. Some regional fares carry reduced checked allowances or different per-kilo excess rates. If you're flying one of these routes, confirm the specific allowance at booking rather than assuming your domestic experience applies.
See our route guides for Johannesburg to Victoria Falls and Johannesburg to Harare for route-specific notes.
What Happened to Kulula and Mango Baggage Fees?
If you're searching for Kulula or Mango baggage fees, here's the honest answer: neither airline is flying anymore. Kulula (and its parent Comair) ceased operations in June 2022. Mango was grounded in 2021 and, after years of failed business-rescue attempts, the revival plan collapsed for good in 2025 — leaving FlySafair as the dominant low-cost carrier and SAA expanding to fill the gap.
If you held a Kulula or Mango ticket or credit, those fall under the respective liquidation and business-rescue processes, not a live airline booking. For current low-cost baggage value, FlySafair and Lift are the direct replacements; for full-service flying with baggage usually included, SAA and Airlink are your options.
5 Ways to Avoid Baggage Surcharges in South Africa
- Always add checked bags online at booking — never at the airport. On FlySafair this single habit saves R195 per bag, every time; on Lift the price is identical either way, but booking ahead guarantees hold space.
- Weigh your carry-on at home before leaving — gate staff on FlySafair and Lift actively enforce the 7kg limit during peak periods.
- Check CemAir's tighter 55x35x20cm carry-on limit separately if your trip includes a CemAir regional leg — your normal bag may not fit.
- Compare total trip cost, not base fare — an Airlink fare with an included checked bag can beat a "cheaper" budget fare plus add-on baggage.
- Repack before you weigh in — shifting 1-2kg from checked to carry-on (or vice versa) at the check-in counter, before you're weighed, can avoid an excess fee entirely.
Check Your Bag Before You Fly
VistaVoyage's free toolkit includes a baggage size checker and weight checker — enter your bag's dimensions and weight against the limits above before you leave home, so there are no surprises at the gate.
Check your bag against every SA airline's limits
Open the Baggage Size & Weight Checker →Free tool — also includes a destination weather checker and fly-vs-drive cost calculator
Compare live flight prices across all SA airlines now
Search Flights on Travelstart →Want the exact number for your trip? Use our baggage fee calculator to see the real all-in cost once your bags are added.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which South African airline has the cheapest checked baggage fees?
FlySafair, when the bag is added online — R155 for a 20kg bag during booking. Lift's standard checked piece is 23kg and must be added to the fare; buying it at the airport costs R300 per bag. Airlink and SAA can work out cheapest overall because their fares include a checked bag, while budget carriers charge extra on their entry-level fares. Note: Kulula and Mango have both ceased operations and no longer fly.
What is the cheapest way to add checked baggage on a South African flight?
Always add your checked bag online during booking or via the airline's manage-booking page before you arrive at the airport. Every major South African carrier charges a significantly higher rate for bags added at the airport check-in counter — often double the online price.
What size carry-on bag is allowed on FlySafair, Lift, Airlink, CemAir and SAA?
Most operating carriers allow roughly 56x36x23cm at up to 7kg (8kg on SAA). CemAir is slightly stricter at 55x35x20cm. Full-service carriers SAA and Airlink additionally permit a small personal item like a laptop bag or handbag.
Will I be charged if my carry-on bag is slightly over 7kg?
Yes. Budget carriers including FlySafair and Lift weigh and measure cabin bags at the gate during busy periods, and an overweight or oversized bag can be charged the full checked-bag fee on the spot. Check your bag against the limits using VistaVoyage's free baggage checker before you leave home.
Does Airlink include free checked baggage?
Yes — Airlink includes a 20kg checked allowance on Economy fares (30kg in Business) under its weight-based system, which is unusual among South African carriers. This can make Airlink cheaper overall than a budget fare plus a paid checked bag, even when its base fare looks higher.
Are baggage fees the same for domestic and regional African routes?
No. Regional routes operated by Airlink, CemAir and SAA to destinations such as Maputo, Harare, Victoria Falls and Lusaka can carry different allowances and fee structures than domestic SA routes. Always confirm the specific route's policy at booking.