South African Airways vs FlySafair carry-on size
Standard economy fare · checked 8 October 2026
South African Airways offers the larger cabin allowance of the two on the standard economy fare. South African Airways includes a 56×36×23 cm, 8 kg cabin bag and a 30×40×10 cm personal item, while FlySafair includes a 56×36×23 cm, 7 kg cabin bag and a personal item. South African Airways and FlySafair were last checked against their official pages on 8 October 2026.
Side by side
| Rule | South African Airways | FlySafair |
|---|---|---|
| Standard fare | Economy Class | All passengers |
| Cabin bag | Included: 56×36×23 cm, 8 kg | Included: 56×36×23 cm, 7 kg |
| Personal item | Included: 30×40×10 cm | Included: size not published |
| Weight limits | cabin bag 8 kg | cabin bag 7 kg |
| Last checked | 28 September 2026 | 8 October 2026 |
What is different
- South African Airways allows heavier cabin baggage: 8 kg, against 7 kg at FlySafair.
- Against the cabin bag limit, a 22 × 14 × 9 in (55.9 × 35.6 × 22.9 cm) bag fits, but with only 0.1 cm (0 in) to spare on the length at South African Airways, and fits, but with only 0.1 cm (0 in) to spare on the length at FlySafair.
- Against the cabin bag limit, a 55 × 40 × 20 cm (21.7 × 15.7 × 7.9 in) bag is 4 cm (1.6 in) too big on the width at South African Airways, and is 4 cm (1.6 in) too big on the width at FlySafair.
- South African Airways and FlySafair both list South Africa and Zimbabwe among their main markets, so on routes to these countries the two sets of rules can be compared directly.
- South African Airways includes the cabin bag on all 2 of its published fares; FlySafair publishes one fare for cabin baggage, with the cabin bag included.
One bag for both
Cabin bag
- A cabin bag of up to 56 × 36 × 23 cm (22 × 14.1 × 9 in) is within the size limits of both South African Airways and FlySafair.
- Keep it to 7 kg (15.4 lb), the lower weight limit, set by FlySafair.
Personal item
- A personal item of up to 40 × 30 × 10 cm (15.7 × 11.8 × 3.9 in) is within the size limits of both South African Airways and FlySafair.
- FlySafair publishes no size for this bag.
Every fare
Both airlines publish other fares with different bags. See every South African Airways fare and every FlySafair fare.
South African Airways vs FlySafair: questions
- Is the South African Airways cabin bag allowance bigger than FlySafair's?
- Yes: on the standard economy fare, South African Airways is more generous. South African Airways allows heavier cabin baggage: 8 kg, against 7 kg at FlySafair.
- Which bag fits both South African Airways and FlySafair?
- A cabin bag of up to 56 × 36 × 23 cm (22 × 14.1 × 9 in) is within the size limits of both South African Airways and FlySafair. Our checker turns your own bag in every direction and tests it on South African Airways and FlySafair at once in trip mode.
Official sources
South African Airways
- https://www.flysaa.com/manage-fly/baggage/hand-baggage — checked on 28 September 2026
FlySafair
- https://www.flysafair.co.za/travel-tools/before-your-flight — checked on 8 October 2026