What’s up with SA air travel

Despite an encouraging resurgence in air travel in 2022, the majority of the traffic is international and domestic carriers have only seen a slight uptake of around 7%. This is in part due to the fact that domestic travel was not as severely impacted by global lockdowns as international travel.

Current trends include a shift to increased leisure travel to popular destinations whilst business travel still has a way to go to reach pre-pandemic levels. The aviation sector seems to be adapting well by “positioning premium leisure travelers as a new category of high-margin customers in place of or alongside business travelers,” according to a sector review by The Economist. Regardless, the sector is under pressure with narrowing margins and demand for lower fares across the board. These high-margin leisure travellers do not fill the gap so they rely on ticket sales more than profit per seat to increase demand.

Consumers are on the hunt for low-cost airlines where a no-frills offering is less of a deterrent than might be expected. Loyalty is taking a backseat and the South African aviation sector has responded to the demand for low-cost base fares with the option of add-ons like meals and baggage.

This is what you can expect from our domestic carriers:

AIRLINK

  • There is a 20kg baggage allowance for economy class and 30kgs for business class.
  • Children pay 75% and enjoy the same baggage allowance as adults.
  • Carry-on luggage may not exceed 8kgs, with a one bag limit for economy class and two for business.
  • Complimentary snacks and In-Flight magazine on board.
  • Seeing-eye and service dogs may travel in the cabin with prior permission. No other pets are allowed in the cabin but can be transported as cargo manifest.

CEMAIR

  • They are pet friendly and both small cats and dogs can be transported, accompanied by the owner and in suitable carrier containers, in the cabin. Other animals are flown in the hold.
  • The baggage allowance is 21kgs and 6kgs carry-on. All included in your fare. No bags over 32kgs are allowed. Passangers travelling with infants under 24 months are allowed an additional 10kgs.
  • A fee of R 250 applies for sports equipment.
  • Check-in is available 24 hours before the flight with the option of pre-selected seating.

FLYSAFAIR

  • The Lite-Fare option entitles you to one carry-on bag that may weigh up to 7kgs. Any additional carry-on luggage is charged at R 250 at the airport.
  • A single 20kg checked-in bag will cost you R 155 when booked online as opposed to R 250 per bag at the airport.
  • Standard fares include two free carry on bags of which the larger one must not weigh more than 7kgs and must fit in the overhead compartment.
  • Sports equipment is charged at R 285 per item per person per flight and is limited to 32kgs.
  • No pets allowed.
  • The priority boarding option costs R 90.
  • Snacks and drinks are available on-board. These are paid for with credit cards or cash.
  • The In-Flight magazine is available on digital download or in print format at check-in counters at the main airports.

LIFT

  • Touted as the most flexible airline, Lift will grant free flight and name changes 24 hours prior to departure. Should you wish to cancel, they will give you a 100% refund into your Lift wallet as long as you cancel 24 hours before departure.
  • Their unique pet service includes flying small dogs in the cabin so your best friend can sit alongside you. This is limited to small dogs only. Bigger dogs and other pets do not qualify.
  • Each fare includes one free piece of hand luggage up to 7kgs and one free bag for check-in up to 23kgs. Premium fares qualify for two free bags on board and two free bags for check-in.
  • Adding bags to an existing booking costs R 200 per piece.

There’s loads of choice for domestic travel with something to suit every pocket. There is a way to go to increase the number and frequency of flights but with demand steadily increasing, things are certainly looking up.