Information on FlySafair Flights

South Africa’s aviation landscape has seen many airlines come and go, especially in the budget airline space. FlySafair is one of the recently successful low-cost airlines that connects domestic destinations within the country and regional destinations in sub-Saharan Africa. Its competitive pricing is said to have reduced the cost of airfare on the routes it operates by one-third. This has made it possible for more people to travel around the country (instead of driving, for example), and its a la carte pricing model means travelers only pay for the services they need.

Where FlySafair flies

The airline is based at Johannesburg OR Tambo International Airport where it operates a hub connecting cities around South Africa as well as regional destinations in southern Africa. FlySafair also serves Johannesburg’s secondary Lanseria airport and has bases in Cape Town and Durban.

Among the regional cities outside of South Africa, the airline serves are Mauritius; Zanzibar, Tanzania; Victoria Falls and Harare, Zimbabwe; Livingstone, Zambia; and Windhoek, Namibia.

Many of these international destinations were dominated by full-service airlines charging higher airfare, and FlySafair has now helped to lower the cost of airfare significantly for travelers heading to these cities.

The airline’s fleet

FlySafair operates an entirely Boeing 737 aircraft fleet of nearly three dozen planes, mostly Boeing 737-800 planes. It also has a small subfleet of older Boeing 737-400 planes.

Pay only for the services you want

Low-cost airlines can reduce airfare by unbundling the traditional services that come with an airline ticket, like advance seat assignments, checked bags, and onboard food and drinks. I like to consider the length of the flight when choosing what I want to add to my ticket.

Because airlines often compete on price, I recommend comparing the airfare from FlySafair with other full-service airlines. In many instances, I have discovered that after adding things like seat assignments and checked bags to FlySafair tickets, a full-service airline that includes those things is the same price.

Its biggest competitors on these routes are Airlink and South African Airways. Both of these carriers offer extra benefits like elite status perks, lounge access, frequent flyer partnerships and more inflight service. As with most things in life, shop around for the best price.

Seat assignments

The airline charges more for seats at the front of the plane or with extra legroom. If you do not want to pay in advance for a seat, you will automatically be assigned one at check in. This is a key consideration for travelers that want to sit together. There is no guarantee that there will be seats available in the same row.

Though FlySafair does not have a premium cabin, I really like that the airline sells blocked seats as an alternative. This means you can reserve your own seat as well as an adjacent one for extra space. I would find value in this option on some of its longer flights, like to Mauritius, for example.

The cost of a blocked seat is a flat fee, which is quite reasonable, and it is something I would recommend for extra comfort.

Luggage

Depending on the fare you purchase, checked bags can be added to the reservation. Adding an extra checked bag at a discount is an option for the higher ticket types. Also, if you want to pay for a checked bag, I recommend doing it online because the price doubles at the ticket counter. All fares include one carry-on bag.

Another important consideration is that FlySafair does not interline bags with other airlines. If you are flying with this carrier and then connecting to another airline, allow time to collect bags from baggage claim and take them to your next airline to check them again (and possibl pay an additional fee to do so).

Onboard food and drinks

Customers can select an array of food and drinks, including alcohol, on FlySafair flights. The prices are affordable. This airline was the first carrier in South Africa to accept credit card payments inflight.

The airline does not print onboard menus so be sure to have a phone with you to scan the QR code if you want to see what is on offer.

I quite like how the airline taps local artists to decorate the interior of the plane as well as the design of their tray tables. Many of these drawings and displays feature information about local tribes in the region.

Priority boarding

This is a perk that can be added for a small fee when booking your ticket. While the highest fare bundle already includes priority boarding among other perks, the option to simply add this one benefit is a nice option.

Ticket flexibility

Similar to insurance, travelers can pay a small fee to unlock more flexibility in their ticket. This is a good option for those that pay for the cheapest fare type, but still want the ability to change or cancel a ticket and save the remaining cash as a credit.

Fare types

FlySafair has several different fare types that include different perks with the ticket. I find that the cost to upgrade to a higher fare type is not significant and can be worth it. These are the different fare types.

Lite

This is the lowest and most restrictive of the airline’s airfare types. Its only benefit is that it comes with a carry-on bag weighing no more than 15lbs.

Expect to pay for everything else: seat assignments, checked bags, onboard food and drinks, and the ability to change or cancel a ticket.

Standard

With this fare type, travelers can add a free checked bag weighing no more than 44lbs to their reservation. Additional services like checked bags, onboard refreshments and seat assignments are chargeable, but many are at a discount.

The primary reason to buy up for this fare is if you are checking a bag and you want more flexibility with your ticket. The Standard fare includes two changes to your reservation at no extra charge.

Business

This is the most flexible fare and comes with numerous inclusions, but do not be misled by the name. This is not a proper business class ticket. While it has business in the name, it is just a more inclusive fare.

It comes with one carry-on and two checked bags with priority tags. Advance seat assignments are part of this fare, but the best feature is that it automatically includes a blocked seat next to you. This means this fare is very similar to what you might find on an intra-European flight in business class.

Travelers receive a voucher for an inflight snack, but do not expect a full meal. Unlimited changes and risk-free cancellation with a credit to use in the future are part of this type of ticket, which makes it popular with business travelers and those with plans that may change often.

The most on-time airline in South Africa

The airline prides itself on its on-time ranking, which is tops in the nation. It is able to achieve this by using a more efficient (although not always comfortable for passengers) boarding model.

When a plane arrives to the gate and starts deplaning, passengers on the outbound flight begin boarding simultaneously. They have boarding passes scanned, and then wait in the jet bridge or board a bus while the plane is cleaned and catered. Once complete, they can board.

This helps the airline to expedite the next flight’s departure, but I find waiting in a steamy jet bridge or on a hot bus with no air conditioning in some instances quite uncomfortable. The airline also boards and deplanes using the front and aft doors.

What you will not find when flying FlySafair

The airline does not offer lounge access (even for purchase), but many airports on its network have lounges that participate in the Priority Pass lounge membership program. You can purchase an annual membership, but many credit cards include one as part of their benefits.

Seat pitch on this airline is not great, and legroom can be quite tight. Also missing are power or USB ports at any seat, and the narrow FlySafair seats do not recline.

FlyMore auctions and flight discounts

From time to time, the airline launches a FlyMore auction on its website. This essentially sells “tokens” that can be used for flights at a flat rate. It is a great way to purchase travel in advance and at a discount.

Each token is good for a one-way domestic flight in the Lite fare category and must be used within a year of making the purchase. The airline gives a starting price for the bundle of ten flights, and whoever bids the most wins.

You still have to pay taxes on the flights you take. If you want to be notified of when the next auction begins, travelers can sign up with their email to get an alert when bidding begins.