SAA Flight Check-in and Gate Closure Time

Here are the flight and boarding gate closure times.  Unfortunately, travellers who fail to present themselves at the boarding gate before the stipulated time for closure will be denied travel without compensation. Boarding times may vary across our network. Please check your boarding pass carefully.

Check-in times:

Please make sure you check-in before these times:

FlightsRecommended check-in Times
Flights within South Africa90 minutes prior to departure
International flights2.5 hours prior to departure
Flights from Johannesburg to the USA3 hours prior to departure

Boarding times: 

Boarding for all flights begins at least 45 minutes before the scheduled time of departure. Travellers need to please allow enough time to pass through Immigration and Security. High traffic at peak times may be experienced so please allow more than 1 hour before departure time.

Flight Closure Times:

FlightsFlight Closure Times
Domestic Flights within South Africa, departing from Johannesburg,Cape Town, Durban, Port Elizabeth, and East London.40 minutes prior to departure
International flights departing from Johannesburg and most international and regional airports.50 minutes prior to departure
Flights departing from Johannesburg to Lagos, Luanda, Sao Paulo and Kinshasa60 minutes prior to departure for all classes of travel
Flights departing from New York and Washington60 minutes prior to departure for all classes of travel
Flights departing from Lagos2 hours prior to departure
Flights departing from Luanda90 minutes prior to departure
Flights departing from Lilongwe60 minutes prior to departure

*Note that flight closure times may vary. Please check your e-ticket receipt for the last check-in time.

Gate Closure Times:

FlightsGate closure times
Flights within South Africa15 minutes prior to departure
International flights 20 minutes prior to departure 

*Note that gate closure times may vary. Please check your boarding pass carefully.

Check-in Travel Information Required

At check-in it is required that all travellers provide proof of identification in order to receive their boarding pass. Travellers may use their valid RSA Identity Document or Passport (International travel) as proof of identification. The same documentation must be present at the boarding gate.

International Check-in

Prior to check-in and boarding, profiling of passengers for immigration purposes may be required to protect the airline against immigration penalties. The process may require you to provide evidence of confirmed accommodation, health documents (if applicable), sufficient funds and valid return or onward air tickets.

Flights to the USA

Travellers are required to check-in at least 3 hours before flight departure. Travellers must please note that additional US TSA (Transport Security Administration) Controls are applied upon boarding, in addition to Airport Security processes.  


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