In addition to the checked baggage allowance, each passenger may carry without additional charges hand baggage suitable for placement in the closed overhead rack or under the passenger's seat with maximum dimensions specified by the carrier subject to space availability. Maximum dimensions for one piece are 52cm x 40cm x 23cm and maximum weight 8kg. The size of one carry on item shall not exceed the overall dimensions of 115cm.
Dimensions of hand-baggage:

The standard allowance per class for domestic and international flights is:
First and Business Class - 2 Pieces
Economy Class - 1 Piece
The following is classified as hand or cabin baggage:
Important Need-to-Knows about hand/cabin baggage
The general free allowance on AIRLINK flights is 20Kg in Economy Class and 30Kg in Business Class.
Exceptions exist:
Important Need-to-Knows:
MSC - Most Significant Carrier - Interline tickets - IATA Resolution 302 refers
If you purchase a ticket which is wholly on the services of SA AIRLINK, SA AIRLINK’s baggage policy will apply.
If you purchase an interline no-stop ticket involving more than one carrier, the baggage policy of the MSC will apply per direction of travel. i.e. the first international carrier per direction.
The MSC policy will apply only if a through-check is possible - i.e. no night stop or stopover is permitted. However, the MSC policy is applied according to the ticket construction, so even if a passenger travelling on a “non-stop” ticket is required to clear luggage at first point of entry in South Africa, the luggage may be considered as “through-checked” in respect of the allowance.
Interline travel in conjunction with SAA flights may result in Piece Concept showing on a ticket whereby SAA allows one piece of luggage in economy class with maximum dimensions of 158cm and weighing a maximum of 23Kg for checked luggage before excess baggage charges shall apply. Please see www.flysaa.com baggage policy for more information on Piece Concept.
Hold - space restrictions on AIRLINK aircraft
Due to the nature of the smaller airports which AIRLINK serves with medium-size aircraft, hold space may be restricted on full flights and/or in certain weather conditions. In such instances AIRLINK will do all possible to load all hold baggage but, in the interest of operational safety, may opt to carry some baggage on the next available flight to your destination. Extra baggage may also be carried at an additional charge. However, this may not guarantee that the baggage is carried on the same flight on which you travel, under the afore-mentioned circumstances.
Size and Weight of Checked-In Baggage
The maximum dimensions of any one piece of baggage permitted where travel is wholly on the services of AIRLINK flights are:
90cm x 72cm x 45cm (including handle, wheels and pockets) total dimensions 207cm
Dimensions of Hold baggage:

Bulky items may also be carried up to maximum dimensions of 190cm x 75cm x 65cm (including handle, wheels and pockets) but may incur an excess baggage charge if the free baggage allowance is exceeded.
The maximum permitted weight of any one piece of checked luggage is 32Kg.
Any item exceeding the above dimensions may be booked as Cargo through the following channels:
+27 11 390 9900 AIRLINK CARGO or enquiries@airlinkcargo.co.za.
For more information regarding Cargo please visit www.airlinkcargo.co.za
Free Baggage Allowance - Checked Baggage - Weight Concept
| Passenger | Route | Type of baggage | Weight |
| Adults and Children aged 2 years and over |
Between Johannesburg and Ndola, Lusaka, Bulawayo or Harare on AIRLINK flights |
Any number of pieces |
40Kg Business Class 30Kg Economy Class |
| Adults and Children (aged 2 years and over) |
All other AIRLINK flights | Any number of pieces |
30Kg Business Class 20Kg Economy Class |
| Infants (under the age of 2) |
All AIRLINK flights | Any number of pieces |
10kg plus one collapsible buggy |
Excess Baggage Charges AIRLINK flights
Domestic Flights: ZAR26.00 + ZAR4.00 (VAT) = ZAR30.00 per kg.
Regional Flights: 1.5% of the highest Airlink normal direct adult one way economy class fare per kilogram. Except:
| Durban-Maputo (on SA only) | ZAR25.00 per Kg |
More Need-to-Knows:
Differences in Baggage policies policies from all over the world affect the allowances shown on tickets which are interlined on AIRLINK flights and perceived anomalies may occur from time to time. AIRLINK staff will do all possible to honour the allowance shown on the passenger's air-ticket.
Free Baggage Allowance - Checked Baggage - Piece Concept
Piece concept - allowing a number of bags per person in favour of a maximum weight of baggage per person.
This type of agreement affects baggage allowances on AIRLINK flights for tickets issued in conjunction with SAA and some other interline carriers on a single-contract/interline basis. AIRLINK will do all possible to honour the carriage of the additional baggage afforded by this facility within the constraints of limited hold space.
These are areas most influenced by Piece Concept agreements in relation to AIRLINK flights:
Checked Baggage Allowances : Interline Tickets with SAA
Piece Concept
| Passenger | Route | Type of baggage | Class of Travel | Dimensions and Weight |
| Adults and Children aged 2 years and over |
Within South Africa | 1 x Piece 1 x Piece |
Business Economy |
Max 32Kg/158cm Max 23Kg/158cm |
| Adults and Children aged 2 years and over |
Between Africa and Africa: excluding South Africa, Libreville, Douala and Lagos |
2 x Pieces 2 x Pieces |
Business Economy |
Max 32Kg/158cm per piece Max 23Kg/158cm per piece |
| Adults and Children aged 2 years and over |
Between Africa and Libreville/ Douala |
1 x Piece 1 x Piece |
Business Economy |
Max 32Kg /158cm Max 23Kg/158cm |
| Adults and Children aged 2 years and over |
Between Africa and Lagos |
3 x Pieces 3 x Pieces |
Business Economy |
Max 32Kg/158cm per piece Max 23Kg/158cm per piece |
| Adults and Children aged 2 years and over |
Between Africa and Europe/UK |
2 x Pieces 1x Piece |
Business Economy |
Max 32Kg/158cm per piece Max 23Kg/158cm |
| Adults and Children aged 2 years and over |
Between USA/ Canada and South Africa/Africa |
2 x Pieces 2 x Pieces |
Business Economy |
Max 32Kg/158cm per piece Max 23Kg/158cm per piece |
| Adults and Children aged 2 years and over |
Between South America (as specified above) and South Africa/Africa |
2 x Pieces 2 x Pieces |
Business Economy |
Max 32Kg/158cm per piece Max 32Kg/158cm per piece |
| Infants (aged under 2 years) |
ALL areas | 1 x Piece | All | Max 10kg and dimensions 115cm plus one collapsible buggy |
Excess Baggage Charges - Piece Concept
Within South Africa
| Business Class | ZAR307 PLUS VAT ZAR43 = TOTAL ZAR350 PER PIECE |
| Economy Class | ZAR219 PLUS VAT31 = TOTAL ZAR250 PER PIECE |
Between New York/Washington and Africa
| Country | Type of baggage | Local Currency Charges |
| All countries/cities in Africa not specified below |
3rd piece less than or equal to 23Kg | USD150 |
| South Africa | 3rd piece less than or equal to 23Kg | ZAR650 |
| All countries/cities in Africa not specified below |
3rd piece greater than or equal to 24Kg and less than or equal to 32Kg |
USD200 |
| South Africa | 3rd piece greater than or equal to 24Kg and less than or equal to 32Kg |
ZAR850 |
Between Africa and USA (EXCEPT Washington & New York)
The 3rd piece will charged at USD300 if less than or equal to 23Kg and at USD350 if equal to
24Kg but less than less than or equal to 32Kg
The following charges apply per unit of excess luggage exceeded:
Between USA and Africa (EXCEPT Hawaii, Alaska)
| Country / Cities | Atlanta, Boston, Philadelphia, Baltimore | Local currency | All other Contiguous U.S points & Caribbean | Local currency |
| All countries / Cities in Africa not specified below: | USD 300 | USD 300 | USD 350 | USD 300 |
| South Africa | USD 300 | ZAR 1075 | USD 350 | ZAR 2050 |
| Zimbabwe | USD 300 | USD 300 | USD 350 | USD 300 |
Between Africa & Hawaii, Alaska & Mexico
| Country / Cities | Hawaii, Alaska & Mexico | Local currency |
| All countries / Cities in Africa not specified below: | USD 400 | USD 400 |
| South Africa | USD 400 | ZAR 2200 |
| Zimbabwe | USD 400 | USD 400 |
Between Canada & Africa
| Country / Cities | Eastern Canada New Foundland & Labrador/ Prince Edward Island/ Nova Scotia / New Brunswick / Quebec / Ontario | Local currency | Western Canada Manitoba / Saskatchewan Alberta / British Columbia / Yukon / N.W. Territories / Nunavut | Local currency |
| All countries / Cities in Africa not specified below: | CAD 250 | USD 250 | CAD 300 | USD 300 |
| South Africa | CAD 250 | ZAR 1075 | CAD 300 | ZAR 2050 |
| Zimbabwe | CAD 250 | USD 250 | CAD 300 | USD 300 |
Between Africa & Brazil / Argentina - via Johannesburg
| Country / Cities | Local Currency | |
| All countries in Africa not specified below: | USD 120 | USD 120 |
| South Africa | USD 100 | ZAR 300 |
Between Europe / UK & South Africa via Johannesburg
| Country / Cities | Local currency | |||
| Business Class | Economy Class | Business Class | Economy Class | |
| London | GBP 75 | GBP 35 | ZAR 800 | ZAR 450 |
| Frankfurt / Munich | EUR 150 | EUR 100 | ZAR 800 | ZAR 450 |
| UK | N/A | N/A | ZAR 950 | ZAR 600 |
| Germany / Europe | EUR 150 | EUR 100 | ZAR 950 | ZAR 600 |
Between Perth, Hong Kong, Mumbai & South Africa via Johannesburg
| Country / Cities | Local currency | |||
| Business Class | Economy Class | Business Class | Economy Class | |
| Perth | AUD 120 | AUD 65 | ZAR 800 | ZAR 450 |
| Mumbai | USD 150 | USD 100 | ZAR 800 | ZAR 450 |
| Hong Kong | HKD | HKD | ZAR 800 | ZAR 450 |
| Beijing | CNY | CNY | ZAR 800 | ZAR 450 |
Between Europe / UK & Africa via Johannesburg
| Country / Cities | Local currency | |||
| Business Class | Economy Class | Business Class | Economy Class | |
| London | GBP 150 | GBP 90 | USD 150 | USD 90 |
| Frankfurt / Munich | EUR 150 | EUR 100 | USD 150 | USD 90 |
| UK | N/A | N/A | USD 200 | USD 130 |
| Germany / Europe | USD 200 | USD 130 | ||
Between Perth, Hong Kong, Mumbai & Africa via Johannesburg
| Country / Cities | Local currency | |||
| Business Class | Economy Class | Business Class | Economy Class | |
| Perth | AUD 150 | AUD 80 | USD 200 | USD 150 |
| Mumbai | USD 200 | USD 150 | USD 200 | USD 150 |
| Hong Kong | HKD | HKD | USD 200 | USD 150 |
| Beijing | CNY | CNY | USD 200 | USD 150 |
Between South Africa & Africa via Johannesburg
| Country / Cities | Local currency | |||
| Business Class | Economy Class | Business Class | Economy Class | |
| Between South Africa and Windhoek, Harare, Victoria Falls, Maputo, Mauritius, Livingstone | USD 50 | USD 30 | ZAR 400 | ZAR 250 |
| Between South Africa and Blantyre, Lilongwe, Lusaka, Luanda, Ndola, Kinshasa, Entebbe, Nairobi, Kigali | USD 60 | USD 40 | ZAR 500 | ZAR 350 |
| Between South Africa and Dakar, Accra, Abidjan, Brazzaville, Cotonou, Bujumbura, Pointe Noire | USD 60 | USD 40 | ZAR 500 | ZAR 350 |
| Between South Africa - Libreville / Doula | USD 40 | USD 20 | ZAR 300 | ZAR 200 |
| Between Cotonou - Pointe Noire, between Bujumbura - Kigali, between Abidjan - Accra | USD 40 | USD 20 | N/A | N/A |
Within Africa - via Johannesburg
| Group 1 | Group 2 | Group 3 | ||||
| Between | Business class | Economy class | Business class | Economy class | Business class | Economy class |
| Group 1 | USD 75 | USD 45 | USD 80 | USD 50 | USD 80 | USD 50 |
| Group 2 | USD 80 | USD 50 | USD 90 | USD 60 | USD 90 | USD 60 |
| Group 3 | USD 80 | USD 50 | USD 90 | USD 60 | USD 90 | USD 60 |
Group 1 - Windhoek / Harare / Victoria Falls / Maputo / Mauritius / Livingstone
Group 2 - Blantyre / Lilongwe / Lusaka / Luanda / Ndola / Kinshasa / Entebbe / Nairobi / Kigali
Group 3 - Dakar / Doula / Accra / Abidjan / Brazzaville / Cotonou / Bujumbura / Pointe Noire / Libreville
One excess charge will apply for:
Two excess charges will apply for:
Three excess charges will apply for:
For more information on Piece Concept on SAA please go to www.flysaa.com
If baggage allowances differ per sector on an interline air-ticket (normally a sector fare construction), the allowance per sector shall be applied. In this instance, if excess baggage charges are applicable, these should be charged separately per sector however passengers may still be through-checked.
In case of through-check-in on airlines other than SAA, the applicable excess charges should be charged if required for each part of the journey. If excess baggage applies on a routing where no published excess baggage charge is available, the applicable charge applies in the direction of travel for SA sectors and for other airline sectors according to the transporting carrier's rules and charges.
Animal in hold (IATA code AVIH)
N.B Not to be accepted as excess baggage on international and regional routes – refer to Cargo.
AVIH is not included in the free baggage allowance. The animal shall be carried in a container that meets the specification of the "IATA live animals regulations". Suitable containers may be purchased from selected pet shops.
| Crate | Dimensions | Weight |
| No 1: | 60 x 45 x 40 cm | 4 kg |
| No 2: | 80 x 55 x 55 cm | 6 kg |
| No 3: | 100 x 65 x 70 cm | 13 kg |
| No 4: | 125 x 75 x 85 cm | 22 kg |
Weight Concept (WC): Normal excess baggage rates apply for all 4 crate sizes including the weight of the animal.
Pets in Cabin (IATA code PETC)
Exceptions:
Airlink may accept for transportation in the aircraft cabin without charge:
No excess baggage charges shall be raised for the carriage of the following items:
Sportsmen or women travelling individually or in groups will be permitted to include their sporting equipment in the free baggage allowance applicable to the class in which they will travel. The airline will not accept liability for damage to such articles if they are not suitably packed. Sporting equipment in excess of the applicable free baggage allowance will be charged in accordance with the current baggage policy.
The Sporting equipment classified below will attract an additional Free Baggage Allowance of 15kg per passenger. To ensure acceptance of such at the airport, a facility is offered whereby this may be pre-booked as a Special Service Requirement in respect of Sports Equipment (SSR SPEQ) through your travel agent or through the AIRLINK Reservations Help-Desk on Tel + 27 11 451 7350. (The additional free 20kgs for sporting equipment is valid on South African Airways flights only)
N.B Sporting Equipment NOT specified above must be included in your free baggage allowance; if the free baggage allowance is exceeded, the normal applicable excess baggage rate will apply.
Musical instruments may be accepted into the passenger cabin provided they fit under the passenger seat or in the overhead bin provided. Where in exceptional cases a passenger is prepared to pay for an extra seat in order to carry extremely valuable baggage e.g. antique musical instruments, works of art etc, acceptance is only permitted if the safety and comfort of other passengers will not be impaired and if the size of such baggage permits it to be secured on the seat in such a manner as to prevent movement forward, sideways or upwards in an emergency situation. Large musical instruments e.g. cello, guitar are not permitted in the cabin and should be placed in the hold of the aircraft.
Arrangements must be made with Airlink Control Office (tel. +27 11 451 - 7300) for fragile musical instruments/bulky baggage. This type of baggage must have "fragile" labels attached and assigned a "limited release" tag.
A maximum mass of 10kg of perishable goods may be included in the free baggage allowance. Due to its perishable nature, it will be carried at the passenger's own risk and will not be accepted on regional flights.
These are acceptable for carriage as checked baggage, provided the passenger is in possession of all the necessary documentation and the casket containing the cremated remains is packed in a sealed outer box or case.
Permits are not required for the conveyance of the ashes of bodies which have been cremated in a crematorium, but a certificate of cremation must be produced if required by security prior to boarding.
Due to the limited cargo capacity and size of the cargo door on Airlink aircraft, coffins containing human remains are not accepted.
Your hold luggage should not contain:
Airlink will assume no liability for loss or damage of the aforementioned and may refuse to carry such as checked/sky-check baggage.
The following list (aligned with ICAO and IATA recommended practice) is provided as a guideline of what items are not to be allowed in the cabin of Airlink aircraft. Items indicated on this list, except firearms and ammunition, may however be carried in the checked baggage of passengers. This does not include the obvious items considered as harmful items i.e. knives, firearms, explosives, grenades, etc.
NOTE:
Manicure sets, including small scissors and metal nail files are permitted.
Certain items not listed as Prohibited items which may be carried on a person or in cabin baggage for medical or other use, such as syringes and hypodermic needles should be declared to the airline check-in agent or checkpoint security staff. The airline will accept the carriage of these items in the cabin of the aircraft only if such items are accompanied by clearly labelled medication such as insulin or other life saving medicines. Unlabelled or unidentified substances accompanied with syringes, or packs of needles not accompanied by the above, may be denied for carriage on a person or within cabin baggage. Passengers carrying these items, when not requiring access to such items during flight, are encouraged to rather pack these within their checked baggage. When such items are considered as unjustified or non essential, security staff may confiscate such items if a passenger fails to provide sufficient reason and/or medical evidence to carry such items.
Further restrictions on items allowed in sterile areas of airports, may be imposed or may differ from country to country, dependant on the Policy of the Local Authorities.
To minimize the risk of PED’s interfering with the aircraft systems, the carrier must ensure that passengers are adequately briefed on the potential dangers of using PEDs onboard aircrafts. Certain PEDs may only be used during the cruise phase of the flight with permission of the Captain, who has the final authority regarding such usage. These include:
The following equipment may be used onboard the aircraft without restriction:
The following equipment is prohibited from use on board an aircraft at all times:
Items that may not be carried onboard an aircraft:
Items that may be carried onboard an aircraft:
Items that may only be carried in the Cabin of a Passenger Aircraft
Items that may only be carried in the Hold of a Passenger Aircraft
Items that are forbidden on Passenger and Cargo Aircraft
South African Laws prohibit the carriage of firearms and ammunition in checked or cabin baggage of a passenger.These firearms and ammunition must be produced to security staff for the correct handling. A maximum weight of 5kg of ammunition may be transported. As of 01 November 2007, no hand weapons (small-arms, handguns i.e. pistols/revolvers) will be accepted or may be transported on any Airlink aircraft. However, hunting rifles, shotguns and hunting handguns may be transported as checked baggage but only to and from the following destinations:
Unfortunately, the Airline is prohibited from transporting to or from the following destinations -
Rifles and shotguns will not be accepted as Checked Baggage, unless approved no less than three (3) working days prior to departure through AIRLINK Reservations Control Tel +27 11 451 7350. Rifles must be unloaded with the safety catch on, and suitably packed and accompanied by all documents legally required by the countries of departure, destination and any stopovers. Only five (5) kilograms of ammunition is allowed per Passenger. Ammunition will never be carried in the cabin or flight deck of the aircraft. Ammunition must be packed separately and securely from the firearm case.
Weapons such as antique firearms, swords, knives, toy or replica guns, bows and arrows and similar items may be accepted as Checked Baggage only at the airline's discretion. This is subject to prior approval and will not be permitted in the cabin or flight deck of the aircraft.
AIRLINK will have no liability or responsibility where any item accepted is removed from Checked Baggage and/or retained or destroyed by security personnel, government officials, airport officials, police or military officials or other airlines involved in the carriage of a Passenger.
Any item(s) of baggage which is mislaid, wrongly labelled, misrouted or damaged whilst in the custody of AIRLINK, shall be regarded as mishandled baggage.
Mishandled baggage should be reported immediately upon arrival at the Baggage Enquiries office in the arrivals area.
Essential items of clothing and toiletries may be purchased and claimed from Airlink should baggage which has been mislaid by Airlink or its appointed handling agent not be returned to the passenger on the same day, except where the passenger resides in the area where the loss has been reported. Such items are restricted to maximum value of ZAR350.00 per day until the checked baggage is recovered, limited to a maximum of 5 days.
The extent of AIRLINK's liability is determined by the applicable Convention being either the Montreal Convention or the Warsaw Convention.
Liability for loss, delay, or damage to checked baggage shall be limited within the borders of the Republic of South Africa, to the national currency equivalent of seventeen (17) SDRs - Special Drawing Rights (approximately USD20) per kilogram of Checked Baggage in terms of the Warsaw Convention.
Liability for loss, delay, or damage to checked baggage shall be limited for international carriage to the national currency equivalent of one thousand one hundred and thirty one (1131) SDRs in terms of the Montreal Convention.
Airlink may refuse to carry as baggage: