FlySafair Baggage Allowance Policy - The Easy Guideline For A Pleasant Flight

FlySafair is a popular airline that provides low-cost domestic flights within South Africa. In fact, it prides itself on being the most on-time airline in the African region (and the 3rd in the world).

If you plan to fly this great budget airline, then you’ll want to get the lowdown on their baggage rules first. When you pack right for your cabin bag and underseat backpack, travelling with FlySafair can be totally hassle-free.

By the end of this guide, you’ll know exactly what FlySafair allows for cabin and checked baggage, plus a few pro tips to make your trip smoother.

Unsure which size works best? Our luggage size guide will steer you in the right direction.

Overview of FlySafair Airlines

FlySafair was officially in operation in October 2014, although its aviation company, Safair, has been in service for 50 years. They have much experience in flying for numerous local and international airlines before opening their own airline.

The creation of FlySafair came with the new flying era since it lowered the average cost of flying on some routes by 32%. Furthermore, this offers excellent opportunities for South Africans who have never had the chance to fly.

FlySafair Carry-on Baggage Policy

FlySafair carry-on size and weight explanation.

During the flight, passengers are entitled to bring two free carry-on bags: a hand luggage and a personal item. This applies to all fares (Lite, Standard, and Business).

The hand luggage size should not exceed 15 pounds (7 kilograms) and must fit the storage compartment in the cabin. The linear dimension restriction for this bag is 22 x 14 x 9 in (56 X 36 X 23 cm).

Meanwhile, the maximum size for the personal item is 16 x 6 x 8 in (40 x 15 x 20 cm). You can only choose one between a laptop bag and a slimline bag; either way, it should fit the space under the seat in front of you.

Each hand luggage that does not meet the requirements will be charged an extra R350 per bag or be checked into the hold. To avoid this, choose your bag carefully before starting your trip.

We would recommend the CabinZero 28L underseat bag - a travel buddy that has been proven to fit all major airlines, even stingy ones. There are many different models you can choose from, based on your needs, from colourful classic backpacks to durable military ones.

Each bag is equipped with various compartments and straps to support you in your packing and moving on your trip. They are all made of water-resistant material and are guaranteed to fit perfectly under your flight seat. The Classic option is best if you are looking for a lightweight bag to carry around. And go for the Military backpack if you aim to go somewhere more primal.

Checked Baggage Policy

FlySafair already includes a seat and 15 pounds (7 kilograms) of carry-on baggage in its cheapest fare to help passengers save money. However, it’s possible to customise the fare and enjoy other services by choosing Standard Fare and Business Fare.

The maximum size dimensions for the bag are 35 x 29 x 17 inches (90cm x 75cm x 43cm). Only one piece of extra baggage is allowed during the flight.

For Standard Fares, you can add up to 44-pound (20-kilogram) pieces of extra baggage to your flight by paying an extra R155 during the online booking process.

Otherwise, you can purchase a ticket for your bag at the airport for R350.

As for Business Fares, passengers are welcome to bring two check-in baggage of 51 pounds (23 kilograms) free of charge. Each fare can pay for extra checked luggage, including special equipment, which will be explained further below.

Excess Baggage Policy

For hand luggage, there is an excess baggage fee of R350 for hand luggage that is over 7kg (15lb).

Customers who need extra baggage should purchase an additional 44-pound (20 kilograms) suitcase for a charge of R250. The cost is unchanged whether purchased online or at the airport.

Notice: This service is only available if the checked luggage is already on your booking or in your basket.

No bag is allowed to be heavier than 44 pounds (20 kilograms). Should that happen, a heavy bag charge will be applied for R250 per piece. Checked luggage that exceeds 70 pounds (32 kilograms) will be declined on the plane and transported as cargo with a specific price and might not be on the same flight as yours. So make sure that your baggage is within weight and size restrictions.

Sports equipment And CPAP

Can you bring these devices on board? Photo by sunakri - stock.adobe.com

FlySafair does accept sports equipment on board. However, all will be charged at R285, whether you purchase it online while booking or at the airport. You can only bring 01 equipment per flight, and it can’t be heavier than 70 pounds (32 kilograms) with the maximum dimension of 98 x 33 x 25 in (250 x 85 x 65 cm).

For medical supports like CPAP, you can select the special assistance option early on when booking the tickets, as they can only allow a certain number of these passengers per flight.

Depending on your type of medical device, you may be required to provide specific documents.

But overall, FlySafair will accept it if it doesn’t require external power (which means it runs on battery) and weighs less than 300 pounds (136 kilograms).

Booking and Check-in process

Booking A Flight

To book a flight with FlySafair, you can visit their website directly to get the best price and trustworthy information.

Select the location where you will depart and arrive, the dates, and passenger details. The platform will provide you with a list of different flights to choose from.

After that, you can fill in your information and pay the price. All the information relating to the included services will also appear on the flight summary.

Check in

On the day of your departure, you can either check in online through the FlySafair website or at their counter. The procedure is pretty much the same as with other airlines. 

Note that check-in closes 40 minutes and 60 minutes before departure for domestic and international flights, respectively.

Online

To check in online, you must provide your booking information to log in. And after finishing, you can come directly to the security gate to get on the plane, unless you have luggage to check. Remember to print out your boarding pass, as they will need to check that information to allow you through. They can be sent via WhatsApp.

In person/At the airport

If you prefer checking in offline or have hold bags, visit their counter at the airport for support. Their desk will be closed 40 minutes before the flight, so make sure you come early.

And keep in mind that FlySafair does not have check-in counters in the international terminals at some airports (O.R. Tambo and Cape Town). You will have to use their domestic counters for all flights.

No matter which way of checking in you choose, you will always be required to prove a valid identification document. It can be your passport, green card, driving license, etc., depending on your nationality. Just keep in mind that digital copies are not accepted. Some destinations will also require you to provide travel insurance and vaccination documents.

For more detailed information, visit the FlySafair website to make sure you get everything you need before your trip.

FAQs 

1. What Is The Baggage Allowance For Flysafair?

FlySafair offers you a 7-kilogram hand luggage for free as well as a personal item that fits under the seat. This applies to any flight you book with them. For checked luggage, your bag must not exceed 20 kilograms to avoid extra fees. The maximum weight they allow on board is 32 kilograms, so if your bag surpasses this limitation, it will be transported as a cargo.

2. What happens if your bag is over 23kg?

Your bag is still allowed on the plane with you if it is over 23kg. However, you will have to pay an extra fee of R250 per piece. The same won’t happen if your bag is over 32kg or packed as sports equipment.

3. Can I exceed 7kg in cabin baggage?

The answer is yes, you can, but not without a price. Your luggage will either be charged an extra fee of R350 per bag or kept on hold, depending on whether the plane has enough space or not. So we recommend you pack your belongings lightly to avoid this.

4. Does FlySafair serve free food in South Africa?

FlySafair does offer food for South Africa routes, but they are not free unless you book business class. You can pay for the food on the plane by credit card, debit card or a snack voucher.

5. Why is FlySafair so expensive?

FlySafair is counted as a low-cost airline, therefore, it is not usually counted as “expensive”. However, they use a system call “demand-base pricing”, which means the higher the demand, the higher the price. If your FlySafair ticket suddenly becomes so expensive, it might be because it is a popular flight, or on a holiday when people travel a lot more than usual.