New SAA bagage policy

SAA announces changes to baggage policy on flights from Australia

South African Airways (SAA) is introducing a new check-in baggage policy in response to varying customer requirements in each of its markets. The new policy will apply to all SAA flights departing from and arriving into Perth, Western Australia.

According to SAA's Country Manager for Australasia, Tim Clyde-Smith, the new policy aligns with most of the larger Star Alliance carriers, ensuring a transparent and consistent set of rules across SAA and other Star Alliance network airlines. From 5 September 2012, SAA will move to a checked baggage policy that provides for the number of pieces of baggage a passenger can check in, rather than the total weight of a passenger's checked baggage," Tim said.

"Each of these pieces will be subject to weight and size restrictions. The new policy describes the number of baggage pieces a passenger may check-in, as well as the weight restrictions for each piece, according to route and class of travel," he said.

"Excess baggage, ie. additional items, or where the baggage exceeds the weight and or size allowance, will be charged at a flat rate per piece of luggage. This is a change to the current policy where excess baggage is charged per kilogram."

"For the Australia market, the policy will apply to SAA's flights out of Perth. It does not at this stage apply to SAA's codeshare flight out of Sydney in conjunction with Qantas. In addition SAA cannot accept any check-in items weighing more than 32kg. Any items exceeding this limit will either have to be repacked into separate bags or checked in at the SAA Cargo counter and flown at cargo rates."

Tim said the new policy, which contains simple explanations and identifies routes where variations are applicable, can be viewed online at www.flysaa.com It also forms an important part of the Terms & Conditions of all SAA tickets, including flights purchased online.

"Passengers travelling on any multi-sector or multi-carrier tickets and SAA code-share partner flights, ie. tickets purchased from SAA for a flight with an SA flight number, but operated by another airline, should check with the other airlines to see which baggage policy is applicable."

The policy will apply on tickets for all flights operated by SAA, i.e. flown using an SAA aircraft and crew. For tickets involving joint international transport services (code share) provided by SAA and foreign airlines the free baggage and excess baggage charge policy has been adjusted and will be based on the policies of the predominant carrier for the trip.

"For travel between Perth and Johannesburg, the following applies: Business class: 2 pieces at a maximum of 32kg each and economy class: 1 piece at a maximum of 23kg each." Tim said.

Tim said the new policy brings SAA into line with a growing number of international carriers.

"We recommend all of our passengers check our new policy by going online to our website and confirming with their travel agent with respect to their specific bookings," Tim concluded.

About: SAA has daily non-stop flights from Sydney and six flights a week from Perth to Johannesburg (daily from August 17) with direct connections to the largest network in Africa. SAA is consistently voted the 'Best Airline & Cabin Crew in Africa' winning it for the 16th consecutive year in the Travel Weekly Globe Awards in London. SAA took out top honours at the recent WTA awards in London, with three awards in the Africa category. SAA is a member of STAR, the world's largest alliance reaching 916 destinations in 160 countries.

For more information on SAA flights and reservations please call 1300 435 972 or see www.flysaa.com.au

For all SAA media releases see: www.africaourhome.com.au/media