Active low-cost airline
South African airlines, compared properly.
Active airlines, grounded brands, baggage differences and the checks that reveal the real cheapest fare.
Reviewed July 2026
Written and reviewed by Kyle Govender, founder and editor · Johannesburg
5 activescheduled domestic airlines
2 legacy brandsstatus and alternatives explained
Final pricebags and changes matter
Live comparisonsearch current availability
Live fare search
Compare South African airlines now.
Search the route and dates you need, then compare the available carriers and fare options together.
Secure flight searchCompare live options
Search results and bookings are handled securely by Travelstart.SAflightdeals does not add its own booking fee.
Airline directory
Choose by total value, not the logo.
Open airline guide
Active flexible airline
LIFT Airline
Flexible fares on major city routesActive regional airline
Airlink
Regional network and full-service inclusionsActive regional airline
CemAir
Regional airports and thinner routesActive flag carrier
South African Airways
Full-service domestic and regional flightsGrounded since 2021
Mango Airlines status
Grounded airline, refund and route alternativesClosed in 2022
Kulula status
Closed airline and current alternativesWhat changes the real price
Four checks before you call a fare cheap.
| Check | Why it matters | Use this guide |
|---|---|---|
| Checked baggage | A low base fare can lose once a bag is added. | Baggage comparison → |
| Airport cutoff | Airline check-in deadlines are not identical. | Check-in times → |
| Identification | Adults and children need acceptable original documents. | ID requirements → |
| Airport choice | Lanseria versus O.R. Tambo can change both fare and ground cost. | Airport guides → |
South African airline FAQs
Compare with the right information.
Which airlines currently fly domestic routes in South Africa?
FlySafair, LIFT, Airlink, CemAir and South African Airways operate scheduled domestic passenger flights. Route availability differs, so compare carriers on the exact city pair and dates you need.
Which South African airline is cheapest?
There is no permanent winner. FlySafair often has the lowest base fare on major routes, while LIFT can be competitive on its network and Airlink, CemAir or SAA may cost less once included baggage and schedule convenience are counted.
Do Mango and Kulula still fly?
No. Their pages are retained as status and alternative guides because travellers still search those brands and need accurate redirection to active airlines.
Should I book directly with an airline or compare first?
Compare first to see the available schedule and total fare across carriers. Before paying, check the baggage, change and cancellation terms attached to the selected fare.
Head-to-head decisions
Compare airlines on the exact trip, not reputation.
New comparison guides separate network, baggage, flexibility and connection value so travellers can narrow the decision before running a live fare search.
Airline-neutral comparison
Let the route and total fare decide.
Search every available airline for your exact dates.
Know who you book with
Your search starts here. Your booking is with Travelstart.
01 Compare your options
Search available flights for your dates, then compare the baggage, times and total price.
02 Book with Travelstart
Travelstart handles checkout, payment and ticketing. SAflightdeals is an independent affiliate.
03 Keep your confirmation
For an existing booking, use the support details in your Travelstart confirmation. We cannot change or refund tickets.
We may earn a commission when you book through our links. SAflightdeals does not add its own booking fee. Our comparison approach.