SAA suspends all domestic flights in support of national lockdown

South African Airways will suspend all its domestic flights with effect from Friday, 27 March until 16 April 2020 (inclusive). SAA supports this national effort as announced by the government, to retard, contain, manage and disrupt the rate of transmission of the COVID-19.

Travellers will receive one free travel change for travel between Tuesday, 24 March and Thursday, 26 March. Re-accommodation of the customers for this purpose will happen on a first-come-first-served basis.

SAA’s call centres will not operate for the duration of the lockdown. Customers may direct their enquiries through any of the following channels:

• Customer Solutions: customersolutions@flysaa.com
  • COVID-19 enquiries on SAA policy
  • COVID-19 enquiries on Travel Bans
  • General enquiries relating to SAA business continuity
• Reservations JNB: ReservationsJNB@flysaa.com
  • Revenue Tickets
    • Changes to existing bookings, for future travel
    • New bookings
  • Voyager Service Recovery: VoyagerServiceRecovery@flysaa.com
    • Voyager Blue, Silver and Gold members
      • Changes to existing bookings, for future travel
      • New bookings
      • PIN Reset
    • Voyager Platinum members would continue to be supported via the dedicated email channel

In recognition of the travel disruptions and restrictions that flow from the national lockdown and as part of its customer service, SAA has put measures in place to give passengers the flexibility to defer their travel to a period beyond the lockdown.

SAA will resume its domestic flights on 17 April 2020.

All passengers who are willing to defer their travel will be expected to comply with conditions set out in the updated customer reservation policy.

Customers are advised that the updated policy applies across SAA’s route network, including domestic, regional and international flights.

To demonstrate our care and commitment to our passengers, the policy provides for changes for a period that extends beyond the industry norm (where ordinarily tickets are valid for six months only for domestic travel and 12 months for international travel) which is up until 2022. Below is a summary of the policy:

• The policy applies to tickets issued on/before 24 March 2020 and new tickets issued up to 31 Aug 2020.
• Customers holding an 083 ticket for flights operated by SAA will be offered a refund in the form of a credit that can be used for future travel.
• Customers holding an 083 ticket for flights marketed by South African Airways in the flight range 7000-7999 and Mango codeshare flights will also qualify for the credit.
• The value of the credit will equal the value of the unused sectors (coupons).
• The original ticket rules will be waived.
• The credit must be used between the period 24 March 2020 to 24 March 2022.
• The credit can be used to purchase another ticket of the same/lower value or used as part payment for a ticket with a higher value.
• Any additional amount to be collected (i.e. fares, taxes and surcharges) will be for the passenger’s account.
• Change of routing will be permitted.
• This travel advisory waives the 72-hour rule