Best Airlines in South Africa
Welcome to South Africa, a land of breathtaking landscapes, diverse wildlife, and rich cultural heritage! From the majestic wildlife reserves to the serene vineyards, there’s something for everyone to explore and enjoy.
Imagine embarking on a thrilling safari adventure in the Sabi Sand Game Reserve or Kruger National Park, where you can witness the Big Five in their natural habitat. Feel the excitement as you spot lions, elephants, rhinos, leopards, and buffaloes roaming freely across the vast plains.
For wine enthusiasts, a visit to Stellenbosch is a must. Indulge in wine tasting sessions amidst picturesque vineyards, sampling some of South Africa’s finest wines while soaking in the stunning scenery of the Cape Winelands.
Visit the Hluhluwe-Umfolozi Game Reserve in KwaZulu-Natal if you’re itching for a less traveled route. Here, you may hike trails through lush forests and rolling hills, observe birds of prey, and explore historic landscapes teaming with animals, including the endangered white rhino.
Whatever your travel preferences—adventure, leisure, or cultural immersion—South Africa has a wealth of attractions that will captivate you and make you want to come back time and time again. Thus, prepare to set out on an incredible journey through this fascinating nation with your bags packed.
South African Airways
South African Airways (SAA) was founded on February 1, 1934. Its headquarters are located at Airways Park in Kempton Park, Ekurhuleni, Gauteng, South Africa. The main hub for South African Airways is O. R. Tambo International Airport in Johannesburg, South Africa. It is renowned for its warm hospitality, professional crew, and commitment to passenger comfort. It isn’t just an airline; it’s a bridge between cultures, a gateway to adventure, and a symbol of South Africa’s spirit. So, whether you’re embarking on a safari, exploring the Drakensberg Mountains, or immersing yourself in the vibrant city life, let SAA be your trusted companion in the African skies.
| Fleet Details | Number of Aircraft |
|---|---|
|
Airbus A320 - 200 |
6 |
|
Airbus A330 - 300 |
2 |
|
Airbus A340 - 300 |
1 |
|
Boeing 737 - 800 |
2 |
Destinations covered:
International – Abidjan, Accra, Addis Ababa, Adelaide, Asuncion, Auckland, Belem, Bogota, Brasilia, Brisbane, Broome, Buenos Aires, Cairns, Cairo, Canberra, Christchurch, Curitiba, Dar Es Salaam, Darwin, Dubai, Entebbe, Florianopolis, Fortaleza, Goiania, Frankfurt, Harare, Hobart, Iguassu Falls, Kalgoorlie, Karratha, Kinshasa, Lagos, Lima, Londrina, Luanda, Lusaka, Maceio, Manaus, Maputo, Mauritius, Melbourne, Mombasa, Montevideo, Nairobi, Newman, Perth, Port Hedland, Porto Alegre, Queenstown, Recife, Salvador, Santiago, Sao Luiz, Sao Paulo, Sharm El Sheikh, Singapore, Sydney, Victoria Falls, Vitoria, Wellington, Windhoek and Zurich.
Domestic – Bloemfontein, Cape Town, Durban, George, Hoedspruit, Johannesburg, Kimberley, Margate, Plettenberg, Port Elizabeth and Sishen.
FlySafair
FlySafair, an international low-cost airline based in Johannesburg, South Africa. FlySafair was founded in 2013 and coomenced operations from 16th Oct 2014. Its headquarters are located in Kempton Park, Gauteng, South Africa. The main hub for FlySafair is also O. R. Tambo International Airport in Johannesburg, South Africa. The airline is a brand of Safair Operations (Pty) Ltd and an affiliate of ASL Aviation Holdings.
| Fleet Details | Number of Aircraft |
|---|---|
|
Boeing 737 - 400 |
5 |
|
Boeing 737 - 800 |
29 |
Destinations covered:
Domestic – Bloemfontein, Cape Town, East London, George, Durban, Mpumalanga, Johannesburg and Port Elizabeth.
International:
Zimbabwe – Harare & Victoria Falls
Tanzania – Zanzibar
Mauritius – Mauritius
Mozambique – Maputo
Zambia – Livingstone
Air Link
Airlink, previously known as South African Airlink, has a rich history that began in 1992. It was formed by business partners Rodger Foster and Barrie Webb after acquiring the liquidated Link Airways business. Its headquarters are located in Johannesburg, South Africa. The main hub for Airlink is O. R. Tambo International Airport, also in Johannesburg, South Africa.
| Fleet Details | Max Speed |
|---|---|
|
Cessna 208 B Grand Caravan EX |
324 km/hr |
|
Embraer ERJ 195 |
871 km/hr |
|
Jetstream 4100 |
480 km/hr |
|
Embraer ERJ 135 ER |
833 km/hr |
|
Embraer ERJ 140 |
833 km/hr |
|
Embraer ERJ 170 |
870 km/hr |
|
Embraer ERJ 190 AR |
870 km/hr |
Destinations covered:
Domestic – Bloemfontein, Cape Town, Durban, East London, George, Hoedspruit, Johannesburg, Kimberley, Mthatha, Nelspruit, Pietermaritzburg, Polokwane, Port Elizabeth, Richards Bay, Sishen, Skukuza and Upington.
International:
Angola – Luanda
Botswana – Maun, Kasane and Gaborone
Democratic Republic of Congo – Lubumbashi
Kenya – Nairobi
Lesotho – Maseru
Madagascar – Nosy Be and Antananarivo
Malawi – Blantyre and Lilongwe
Mozambique – Beira, Maputo, Nampula, Pemba, Tete and Vilanculos
Namibia– Windhoek and Walvis Bay
St. Helena – Jamestown
Swaziland – Manzini
Tanzania – Dar Es Salaam
Uganda – Entebbe
Zambia – Lusaka, Ndola and Livingstone
Zimbabwe – Harare, Bulawayo and Victoria Falls
CemAir
CemAir, a privately owned airline operating in South Africa, was founded in 2005. Its headquarters are located in Johannesburg, South Africa. The main hub for CemAir is O. R. Tambo International Airport in Johannesburg, South Africa.
| Fleet Details | Average Speed |
|---|---|
|
Bombardier CRJ - 900 |
829 km/hr |
|
Bombardier CRJ -100/200 |
785 km/hr |
|
De Havilland Dash 8 -400 |
596 km/hr |
|
De Havilland Dash 8-Q300 |
480 km/hr |
|
De Havilland Dash 8 -100 |
440 km/hr |
|
Beechcraft 1900 D |
430 km/hr |
Destinations covered:
Domestic – Bloemfontein, Cape Town, Durban, East London, George, Hoedspruit, Johannesburg, Kimberley, Margate, Plettenberg Bay and Port Elizabeth.
International
Zimbabwe – Harare & Victoria Falls
Mozambique – Inhambane, Pemba, Vilanculos and Maputo
Botswana – Maun and Kasane
Nigeria – Lagos
Mauritius – Mauritius
Namibia – Windhoek
Global Aviation
Global Airline was founded in 2001. Its headquarters are located in Johannesburg, South Africa. The main hub for Global Airline is O. R. Tambo International Airport in Johannesburg, South Africa.
Fleet Details
Beechcraft 1900 C
Beechcraft 1900 D
ATR 72 -500
Bombardier Learjet 45
Helicopter Agusta Westland 109E
Helicopter Agusta Westland 139
Destinations covered:
Domestic – Bloemfontein, Kimberley, George, Margate, Plettenberg Bay, Hoedspruit and East London
International
Zimbabwe – Victoria Falls
Botswana – Maun and Kasane
Mozambique – Maputo
Edelweiss Air
Edelweiss Air was founded in 1995. Its headquarters is in Zurich, Switzerland. The main hub for Edelweiss Air is Zurich Airport (ZRH) in Switzerland. The airline’s name pays homage to the Edelweiss flower, a symbol of purity and Alpine beauty. This delicate flower is also proudly painted on Edelweiss Air’s aircraft.
It took its inaugural flight on October 19, 1995, in Bassersdorf, Switzerland.
| Fleet Details | Number of Aircraft |
|---|---|
|
Airbus A320 -200 |
13 |
|
Airbus A330- 200 |
2 |
|
Airbus A330 -300 |
2 |
|
Airbus A340 - 300 |
5 |
|
Airbus A350 -900 |
6 |
|
Mc Donnell Douglas MD-83 |
3 |
Destinations covered:
Agadir, Akureyri, Amman, Antalya, Aqaba, Bari, Bergen, Biarritz, Bilbao, Boa Vista, Bodrum, Bogota, Cagliari, Calgary, Cancun, Cape Town, Cartagena, Catania, Chania, Colomo, Corfu, Cork, Dalaman, Denver, Djerba, Dubrovnik, Edinburgh, Evenes, Faro, Figari, Fuerteventura, Funchal, Gran Canaria, Havana, Heraklion, Hurghada, Ibiza, Ivalo, Jerez de la Frontera, Kalamata, KIlimanjaro, Kittila, Kos, Kuusamo, La Palma, Lamezia, Lanzarote, Larnaca, Las Vegas, Liberia, Luxor, Mahe, Mahon, Male, Marrakesh, Marsa Alam, Mauritius, Montego Bay, Muscat, Mykonos, Newquay, Ohrid, Olbia, Palma de Mallorca, Phuket, Ponta Delgada, Preveza, Pristina, Puerto Plata, Pula, Punta Cana, Reykjavik, Rhodes, Rovaniemi, Sal, Samos, San Jose, Santiago de Compostela, Santorini, Seville, Sharm El Sheikh, Skiathos, Skopje, Split, Svalbard, Tampa Bay, Tenerife, Tivat, Tromso, Vancouver, Varna, Zakynthos, Zanzibar and Zurich.
Proflight Zambia
Proflight Zambia was founded in 1991. Its headquarters are located in Lusaka, Zambia. The main hub for Proflight Zambia is Kenneth Kaunda International Airport (LUN) in Lusaka, Zambia. It proudly connects Zambia to regional and international destinations. Whether you’re exploring the Victoria Falls, venturing into the heart of Lusaka, or embarking on a business trip, Proflight Zambia ensures safe and comfortable travel.
| Fleet Details | Number of Aircraft | Seating Capacity |
|---|---|---|
|
Boeing 737-200 |
2 |
112 |
|
Boeing 737-500 |
1 |
120 |
|
Bombardier CRJ-100 Series |
4 |
50 |
|
Bombardier CRJ-200 |
3 |
50 |
|
British Aerospace Jetstream 41 |
2 |
29 |
Destinations covered:
Bloemfontein, Cape Town, Chunga, Durban, George, Jeki, Johannesburg, Kalumbila, Kasama, Livingstone, Lusaka, Mansa, Mfuwe, Ndola, Port Elizabeth, Royal and Solwezi.
TAAG
TAAG Angola Airlines, also known as TAAG Linhas Aéreas de Angola, was founded on July 17, 1938. Its headquarters are located in Luanda, Angola. The main hub for TAAG Angola Airlines is Quatro de Fevereiro Airport (LAD) in Luanda, Angola. It started flying to South Africa in the 1990s, specifically in 1993. This marked the beginning of its operations between Luanda, the capital of Angola, and Johannesburg, South Africa.
| Fleet Details | Cruising Speed |
|---|---|
|
Boeing 777 - 300 ER |
930 km/hr |
|
Boeing 777 - 200 ER |
930 km/hr |
|
Boeing 737 - 700 |
900 Km/hr |
|
De Havilland Dash 8 - Q400 |
667 km/hr |
Destinations covered:
Accra, Alicante, Amsterdam, Barcelona, Bello Horizonte, Bilbao, Brasilia, Brussels, Cabindia, Catumbela, Cape Town, A Coruna, Curitiba, Dundo, Durban, Florianopolis, Strength, Fort Ventura, Foz de Iguacu, Frankfurt, Geneva, Goiania, Havana, Huambo, Ibiza, Johannesburg, Kinshasa, Kuito, Lagos, Lisbon, London, Luanda, Lubango, Luena, Madrid, Maputo, Menongue, Milan, Mocamedes, Malaga, Christmas, Ondjiva, Palma de Mallorca, Black tip, Harbor, Porto Alegre, Recife, Rio de Janeiro, Savior, Pomegranate, Santander, Santiago de Compostela, Saurimo, Seville, Soyo, Sao Paulo, Saint Thomas, Uige, Valence, Vigo, Windhoek and Zurich.
Virgin Atlantic
Virgin Atlantic Airlines was founded on June 22, 1984. Its headquarters is in Crawley, West Sussex, England. The main hub for Virgin Atlantic Airlines is London Heathrow Airport (LHR) in London. It began flying to South Africa in 1998. It he airline operates flights from Johannesburg to London, as well as flights from Cape Town to London. Virgin Atlantic offers a range of amenities on its flights, including food, drinks, and onboard entertainment and WiFi.
| Fleet Details | Number of Aircraft |
|---|---|
|
Airbus A350 -1000 |
10 |
|
Boeing 787 - 9 Dreamliner |
15 |
|
Airbus A330 -300 |
9 |
|
Airbus A 330 Neo |
4 |
Destinations covered:
Domestic – Cape Town and Johannesburg
International
China – Shanghai
India – New Delhi, Mumbai and Bengaluru
UAE – Dubai
Israel – Tel Aviv
Nigeria – Lagos
Maldives – Maldives
United Kingdom – Manchester, London and Edinburgh
Carribean – Barbados, Grenada, Antigua, St Lucia, Tobago, St Vincent and the Grenadines, Turks & Caicos and Bahamas.
United States – Miami, Orlando, Tampa, Atlanta, Boston, New York, Washington, Seattle, San Francisco, Las Vegas and Los Angeles.
Rwand Air
RwandAir, also known as RwandAir Limited, was founded on December 1, 2002. Its headquarters are located in Kigali, Rwanda. The main hub for RwandAir is Kigali International Airport (KGL) in Kigali, Rwanda. It began flying to South Africa in 2004. This marked the start of its operations between Kigali, the capital of Rwanda, and Johannesburg, South Africa. Since then, RwandAir has expanded its services to various destinations within South Africa, contributing to enhanced air connectivity between Rwanda and South Africa.
| Fleet Details | Number of Aircraft |
|---|---|
|
Airbus A330s |
3 |
|
Boeing 737s |
7 |
|
Bombardier CRJ - 900s |
4 |
|
De Havilland Canada DHC-8 Dash 8s |
2 |
Destinations covered:
Europe – London, Brussels and Paris
Africa – Abuja, Accra, Bangui, Brazzaville, Bujumbura, Cape Town, Cotonou, Dar Es Salaam, Douala, Entebbe, Harare, Johannesburg, Kamembe, Kigali, Kilimanjaro, Lagos, Libreville, Lusaka and Nairobi.
Asia — Dubai, Mumbai and Guangzhou
Conclusion
Airlines such as Virgin Atlantic and South African Airways are excellent options if you value luxury and comfort. Their well-appointed staterooms, first-rate service, and opulent facilities guarantee a pleasant and refined journey.
FlySafair and CemAir are reasonably priced solutions that don’t sacrifice too much comfort for customers on a tight budget. They offer competitive pricing without sacrificing respectable service quality.
With their vast networks serving both local and international destinations throughout Africa and beyond, South African Airways and RwandAir lead the way in terms of comprehensive routes and destinations. They provide easy access to well-known tourist destinations and commercial centers.
Regarding service and reputation, South African Airways has a well-established track record of providing courteous and competent service. Despite being relatively new, RwandAir has received praise for its dependability and customer service.
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