COVID-19 Airline rating

South African Airways COVID-19 safety policies

Check the protective measures South African Airways have introduced at the airport and onboard flights during COVID-19 to maximise customer safety during the coronavirus pandemic. Find out what it is like travelling with South African Airways during COVID-19 by reading their guidance and policies.

The information is taken from South African Airways website which can be viewed HERE

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South African Airways COVID-19 safety policies

South African Airways COVID-19 policies

View South African Airways COVID-19 policies

At the Airport

Face mask

A mask and gloves are a simple necessity that enable you to travel. Be sure to use them at the airport and on board the aircraft.
Change your mask every 3 hours. If you have forgotten to take a spare one with you for a long flight, our flight attendants will be sure to help you.

Hand luggage

No additional restrictions are placed on hand luggage although the airline does recommend passengers to pack light to ensure ease of movement in the cabin.

Boarding

There is a changed approach to airplane boarding. Now passengers are invited to board in groups, starting with those whose seats are in the rear of the aircraft.
Priority Boarding is continuing to be offered.

Airport guidance

Check in for your flight on the website or through the mobile app to avoid waiting in line at the check-in counters at the airport.
All passenger service areas and equipment, including check-in counters, payment terminals, etc., are regularly disinfected.
Special marking has been made in the check-in area, which will help you maintain social distance.
Hand sanitizer dispensers are easily accessible throughout your journey at the airport.
Lounges

Our lounges

SAA lounges are currently not open.
Onboard the flight

Face mask

A mask and gloves are a simple necessity that enable you to travel. Be sure to use them at the airport and on board the aircraft.
Change your mask every 3 hours. If you have forgotten to take a spare one with you for a long flight, our flight attendants will be sure to help you.

Cabin service

Guided by customs limits and guidelines, passengers are welcome to travel with antibacterial wipes and hand sanitisers.
All our employees are fully trained to:
Handle situations in an event of communicable disease
Handle medical related incidents on board
Work closely with ground and inflight expert medical assistance.
Assess all our guests for visible symptoms
Blankets and pillows are thoroughly disinfected after each use, and safety instructions are changed more often.
The catering product for all classes has been reduced and simplified to ensure appropriate sanitation standards.
Cleaning

Our aircraft

We have implemented revised cleaning procedures, to focus on high frequent touch points such as handles, seat belt buckles, tray tables and armrests.
SAA disinfectants are approved by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) as effective against the COVID-19 coronavirus.
The airline uses sanitation procedures for all domestic and international flights.
The Airbus fleet is equipped with state-of-the-art, high-efficiency particulate air filters that capture particles.
Should health authorities inform the airline that a person who travelled with SAA exhibited coronavirus symptoms, the aircraft will be taken out of service and put through a decontamination process.
Arrivals

Deplaning

On arrival at your destination airport, disembarking will be made by zones starting with the front of the aircraft.
Passengers should maintain use of masks until they are out of the terminal building.

Arrival guidance

Appropriate social distancing at baggage reclaim points is also encouraged.
South Africa has classified countries into high, medium, and low-risk. The South African authorities will not grant entry to anyone travelling from a high-risk country for tourism or leisure purposes.
Travellers holding valid long-term visas or permanent residence visas for South Africa do not require permission to enter South Africa.
The South African authorities have said that they will allow entry to visitors who will stay in South Africa for three months or more.
The following groups can apply to enter South Africa for business purposes:
Business travellers with scarce and critical skills
Diplomats
Repatriated persons
Investors
People participating in professional sporting and cultural events

Disclaimer

The Ratings shown on this website show headline extracts of the key areas used in final assessment and grading. Whilst every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of the information contained in our web pages, the content is naturally subject to change and Skytrax cannot guarantee its accuracy or currency. We reserve the right to make changes to the information on the site without notice.

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