FlySafair Flight Booking from South Africa; Compare Domestic & Regional Safair Flights
Overview: FlySafair is South Africa's largest low-cost airline, flying an extensive domestic network from O.R. Tambo (JNB), Cape Town (CPT) and King Shaka (DUR) on a modern Boeing 737 fleet. It follows an à-la-carte model; carry-on is included and checked baggage is a paid extra; with online check-in opening 24 hours before departure. Compare and book FlySafair fares against every other carrier on Travelwings. To book, call +27 (0)12 006 0002 or email customer.care@travelwings.com.
FlySafair (IATA code FA) is South Africa's leading low-cost airline, founded in 2013 and operating since October 2014. A subsidiary of Safair, the carrier flies a fleet of around 36 Boeing 737 aircraft (737-400 and 737-800) on more than 1,250 weekly flights, serving roughly 15 destinations across South Africa and Sub-Saharan Africa. With hubs at Johannesburg (O.R. Tambo and Lanseria), Cape Town, and Durban, FlySafair is best known for punctuality, high-frequency service, and an à-la-carte low-cost model. FlySafair flight booking on Travelwings ZA offers real-time fare comparison across every carrier on your route, transparent ZAR pricing, and instant e-ticket confirmation.
If you're planning a FlySafair flight booking, you're choosing South Africa's most popular low-cost carrier. Known to travellers as FlySafair or simply Safair, the airline has built a strong reputation for on-time performance and competitive fares since launching scheduled flights in 2014; making safair flights the default choice for millions of domestic South African journeys each year.
This page covers everything you need to know to make an informed Safair booking on Travelwings ZA; fleet, route network, the à-la-carte fare model, baggage allowance, check-in process, and the FAQs that matter most when you fly FlySafair.
What Is FlySafair?
FlySafair is an international low-cost airline based in Johannesburg, South Africa, and a subsidiary of Safair Operations. The airline was founded in August 2013 and commenced scheduled passenger operations on 16 October 2014. In just over a decade it has grown into South Africa's largest domestic carrier by market share, operating a young, efficient Boeing 737 fleet and a high-frequency network connecting the country's major cities.
- Hubs: Johannesburg O.R. Tambo (JNB), Johannesburg Lanseria (HLA), Cape Town (CPT), and Durban King Shaka (DUR)
- Headquarters: Kempton Park, South Africa
- Founded: August 2013; scheduled operations from October 2014
- Fleet: Around 36 Boeing 737 aircraft (Boeing 737-400 and Boeing 737-800), each 737-800 seating up to 189 passengers
- Network: Roughly 15 destinations across South Africa and Sub-Saharan Africa, with over 1,250 weekly flights
- IATA Code: FA
- Parent company: Safair Operations (Pty) Ltd
- Model: Low-cost carrier with an à-la-carte fare structure
FlySafair has continued to modernise and grow its fleet, with additional Boeing 737-800 aircraft joining the fleet to expand capacity on its busiest routes. During peak travel periods such as school holidays and long weekends, the airline operates 12 to 14 additional daily flights, concentrated on its highest-demand corridors.
Which Destinations Do Safair Flights Cover?
FlySafair operates an extensive domestic South African network plus a growing number of regional Sub-Saharan routes. Popular destinations for a FlySafair flight booking include:
Domestic (South Africa)
- Johannesburg (JNB / HLA): Served from both O.R. Tambo and Lanseria airports
- Cape Town (CPT): One of the airline's busiest hubs
- Durban (DUR): King Shaka International Airport
- Port Elizabeth / Gqeberha (PLZ)
- East London (ELS)
- George (GRJ): Gateway to the Garden Route
- Bloemfontein (BFN), Kimberley (KIM), Hoedspruit (HDS), Mthatha (UTT): Further domestic coverage
Regional (Sub-Saharan Africa)
- Harare (HRE), Zimbabwe: One of FlySafair's busiest regional routes
- Victoria Falls (VFA), Zimbabwe
- Mauritius (MRU)
- Windhoek (WDH), Namibia: Zanzibar (ZNZ), Tanzania: Further regional services
The Johannesburg–Cape Town corridor is the most-flown route on the FlySafair network, alongside high-frequency Johannesburg–Durban and Cape Town–Durban services. These three "Golden Triangle" routes form the backbone of safair flights across South Africa.
How Does the FlySafair Fare Model Work?
FlySafair operates an à-la-carte low-cost model. Rather than bundling everything into one fare, the airline keeps the base ticket price low and lets you add only the extras you need:
- Base fare: Includes your seat and a carry-on bag allowance. The most affordable way to book safair cheap flights when travelling light
- Checked baggage: Added as a paid extra; cheaper when purchased at the time of booking than at the airport
- Seat selection: Standard, extra-legroom, and preferred seats available for a fee
- Onboard refreshments: Snacks and drinks available for purchase
- Flexi options: Add flexibility to change your flight for a fee, useful if your plans may shift
This model means the safair flight schedule and prices you see can vary widely depending on how many extras you add; so comparing the full, all-in cost on Travelwings before you book ensures there are no surprises.
How Do You Complete a FlySafair Flight Booking on Travelwings ZA?
A FlySafair flight booking on Travelwings ZA is fast and straightforward. The flysafair booking process takes just a few minutes, and all safair bookings come with instant e-ticket confirmation:
- Visit travelwings.com ZA and enter your origin and destination: for example, Johannesburg to Cape Town or Durban to Cape Town
- Select your travel dates and passenger count
- Compare live FlySafair fares alongside other carriers serving the same route; sorted by price, departure time, or duration
- Select your preferred FlySafair flight and proceed to checkout
- Add any extras you need: checked baggage, seat selection, or flexibility options
- Complete secure payment using your preferred South African payment method
- Receive your e-ticket instantly by email: accessible from your Travelwings account at any time
Because Travelwings displays live, real-time fares, the price you see for your FlySafair booking reflects current availability on your specific travel dates. There is no fixed or estimated fare; only the actual fare loaded for your route and date.
What Is the FlySafair Baggage Allowance?
The flysafair baggage allowance follows the airline's à-la-carte model; carry-on is included, while checked baggage is a paid add-on:
- Carry-on baggage: One cabin bag up to 7 kg, plus one small personal item (handbag or laptop bag), within FlySafair's standard size limits
- Checked baggage: Not included in the base fare; added as a paid extra. A standard checked bag allowance is typically 20 kg, with options to add more weight
- Excess and additional bags: Charged per bag and per weight tier; significantly cheaper when pre-purchased at the time of your safair booking on Travelwings rather than at the airport counter
- Sports and special items: Items such as golf bags, surfboards, and bicycles can be added as special baggage for a fee
- Infants: A limited baggage allowance plus one collapsible stroller or car seat
Always confirm the exact safair baggage allowance for your fare and route when completing your booking, and pre-purchase any checked bags to keep your total cost down.
What Check-In Options Are Available on FlySafair?
- Online check-in: Opens 24 hours before scheduled departure and closes shortly before the flight. Available via the FlySafair website and mobile app; select your seat and obtain a digital boarding pass
- Airport check-in: Counters typically open 2 hours before scheduled departure and close 45 minutes before takeoff for domestic flights
- Self-service kiosks: Available at major South African airports for quick check-in and boarding-pass printing
- Recommended arrival: 2 hours before domestic flights; 3 hours before regional international flights
- Required documents: Valid government-issued photo ID for domestic flights; passport (and visa where applicable) for regional international flights
How Do You Get the Best Fare on Your FlySafair Flight Booking?
FlySafair fares move with demand, season, and how far ahead you book. These habits consistently help South African travellers find FlySafair cheapest flights and secure safair cheap flights:
- Book 3 to 6 weeks ahead: fares rise as departure approaches, particularly on the high-demand Johannesburg–Cape Town and Johannesburg–Durban routes
- Travel midweek: Tuesday and Wednesday departures are typically the softest in pricing, while Friday and Sunday are the most expensive
- Avoid school holidays and long weekends: fares climb sharply during these peak South African travel windows
- Travel light: the base fare is the cheapest way to fly; only add checked baggage if you genuinely need it
- Compare both Johannesburg airports: flying from Lanseria (HLA) instead of O.R. Tambo (JNB) can sometimes secure a lower fare
- Set Travelwings fare alerts: get automatic notifications when prices drop on your chosen route
- Compare all carriers on Travelwings: a single search shows live FlySafair fares next to other South African airlines, so you can see exactly where Safair sits on price
Why Book Your FlySafair Flight with Travelwings ZA?
Choosing Travelwings for your FlySafair bookings and prices comparison gives you several clear advantages:
- Real-time fare comparison: see live FlySafair fares next to every other carrier on your route, with no estimated or outdated pricing
- Transparent ZAR pricing: all taxes and fees included; the price you see is the price you pay
- Instant e-ticket delivery: confirmation by email immediately after booking
- Fare alerts: automatic notifications when prices drop on your selected route
- 24/7 customer support: assistance before, during, and after your trip
- One-stop travel platform: book flights, hotels, car hire, holiday packages, and more all in one place
All prices, inclusions, availability, and offers shown are indicative and subject to change without notice based on seasonal demand, supplier terms, and travel dates. Final pricing is confirmed at the time of booking with Travelwings.
Compare other airlines flying from South Africa
FlySafair is one of several carriers serving South Africa, and comparing options across airlines helps you land the best fare and schedule for your route.
For full-service, Star Alliance connectivity on domestic and regional routes, it is worth comparing current South African Airways flights alongside FlySafair’s prices before you book.
On selected trunk routes you can also weigh up British Airways flight bookings (operated by Comair), a full-service alternative that sometimes matches low-cost fares on timing and price.
Popular FlySafair routes booked on Travelwings
FlySafair flies an extensive domestic and regional network, and it always pays to compare its fares against the other carriers before booking. These are three of the routes South African travellers ask about most.
Johannesburg to Cape Town
The Johannesburg–Cape Town corridor is the busiest domestic route in the country, with dozens of departures every day and a flying time of roughly two hours. FlySafair is one of the most frequent operators on the route and its fares are often among the lowest available. Our page on the Johannesburg–Cape Town route lines FlySafair up against every other airline flying it, so you can weigh timing, baggage and total cost in one place before you decide.
Cape Town to Johannesburg
The northbound leg is served just as frequently, though prices can differ noticeably by time of day and how far ahead you book. Early-morning and late-evening departures usually offer the best value, and booking two to three weeks out tends to secure the lowest fares. Our guide to the Cape Town to Johannesburg route compares FlySafair with the other carriers on current fares and schedules, making it easy to spot the best mix of price and timing.
Cape Town to East London
FlySafair is a key operator on this regional route, which links the Western Cape with the Eastern Cape in a little over an hour. Frequencies are lower than on the trunk routes, so booking ahead matters more here to lock in both a seat and a good fare. Our Cape Town to East London flights page compares the available airlines and fares so you can book the right departure with confidence.
Disclaimer: Fares shown are indicative lead-in economy prices, subject to availability, seasonal demand and change without notice. Please confirm the current price, taxes and conditions with Travelwings before booking.
Frequently Asked Questions About FlySafair
1. How do I make a FlySafair flight booking?
You can easily complete your FlySafair booking on Travelwings.com ZA with real-time fare comparison and transparent ZAR pricing. Enter your route and dates, compare live fares, add any extras you need, and confirm your flysafair booking for instant e-ticket delivery. Your FlySafair tickets are emailed immediately after payment. Alternatively, book directly through the FlySafair website or mobile app.
2. What are the safair flight schedule and prices on popular routes?
FlySafair operates a high-frequency schedule on its main routes, with multiple daily flights between Johannesburg, Cape Town, and Durban. The safair flight schedule and prices vary by route, travel date, and how far ahead you book. Because Travelwings displays live, real-time pricing, the most accurate way to see current schedules and fares is to run a search for your specific route and dates.
3. How can I find safair cheap flights?
To find safair cheap flights, book 3 to 6 weeks in advance, travel midweek (Tuesday or Wednesday), travel light to use the lowest base fare, and set a Travelwings fare alert for your route. Comparing both Johannesburg airports; O.R. Tambo and Lanseria; can also reveal lower fares.
4. What is the FlySafair baggage allowance?
FlySafair carry-on baggage is typically one cabin bag up to 7 kg plus one personal item. Checked baggage is not included in the base fare; it is added as a paid extra, with a standard checked bag typically allowing 20 kg. The flysafair baggage allowance for checked bags is cheapest when pre-purchased at the time of booking rather than at the airport.
5. Which destinations does FlySafair fly to?
FlySafair serves roughly 15 destinations. Domestic South African routes include Johannesburg, Cape Town, Durban, Port Elizabeth, East London, George, Bloemfontein, and Kimberley. Regional routes include Harare and Victoria Falls (Zimbabwe), Mauritius, Windhoek (Namibia), and Zanzibar (Tanzania).
6. What aircraft does FlySafair operate?
FlySafair operates a fleet of around 36 Boeing 737 aircraft, comprising Boeing 737-400 and Boeing 737-800 models. Each Boeing 737-800 seats up to 189 passengers. The airline continues to add modern 737-800NG aircraft to expand capacity.
7. Is FlySafair a low-cost airline?
Yes; FlySafair is South Africa's leading low-cost carrier. It uses an à-la-carte model: the base fare keeps the ticket price low, and you add only the extras you need, such as checked baggage, seat selection, or flexibility options.
8. How early should I arrive at the airport for a FlySafair flight?
Arrive at least 2 hours before scheduled departure for domestic FlySafair flights, and 3 hours before regional international flights. Airport check-in counters typically close 45 minutes before departure, so online check-in is recommended to save time.
9. Can I make changes to my FlySafair booking?
Yes; changes including dates and times are possible based on your fare type. Adding a Flexi option at booking makes changes easier and cheaper. Manage your safair booking via Travelwings or contact FlySafair directly for the specific terms attached to your fare.
10. Does FlySafair fly internationally?
FlySafair's network is primarily domestic within South Africa, but the airline also operates a growing number of regional Sub-Saharan routes, including services to Zimbabwe (Harare and Victoria Falls), Mauritius, Namibia, and Tanzania.
11. Which is the FlySafair hub airport?
FlySafair operates from multiple hubs; Johannesburg O.R. Tambo (JNB), Johannesburg Lanseria (HLA), Cape Town (CPT), and Durban King Shaka (DUR). The Johannesburg–Cape Town route is the busiest on the safair airline network.
12. How do I compare flysafair bookings and prices across dates?
On Travelwings, you can compare flysafair bookings and prices across different dates and times in a single search. Use the flexible date view to see how fares change day to day, and set a fare alert to be notified when the price drops for your chosen route.