Exited business rescue (South African restructuring proceeding) with a smaller fleet and network.
Customer service · South African Airways
Contact South African Airways customer service
Contact South African Airways customer service from the UK. Find phone number, website and opening hours for South Africa's flag carrier.
Star AllianceEU 261 appliesJohannesburg, South Africa
HubJNBO. R. Tambo International Airport
IATASAICAO SAA
Founded1934
Phone+44 208 576 5100
Websitehttps://www.flysaa.com/
How South African Airways handles customer service
South African Airways is the flag carrier of South Africa. The carrier exited business rescue (a form of restructuring) in 2021 with a substantially reduced network. Operations remain smaller than pre-2020.
Reaching South African Airways: by channel
The channel you choose makes a bigger difference for South African Airways than for most carriers — this is where to start for each kind of request.
PhoneJohannesburg direct
Johannesburg service centre handles English calls during South African business hours.
What works and what doesn't
Watch out
- Network is substantially smaller than pre-2020.
Recent operational notes
2021
At a glance — South African Airways
South African Airways is hubbed at Johannesburg OR Tambo (JNB). The post-business-rescue fleet of around 10 aircraft (Airbus A320, A330, A340) covers around 20 destinations.
- HQ
- Johannesburg, South Africa
- Primary hub
- O. R. Tambo International Airport (JNB)
- Alliance
- Star Alliance
Common South African Airways support topics
Most calls to South African Airways customer service fall into four categories: baggage (lost, damaged or delayed luggage), refunds (after a cancellation or schedule change), name and booking changes, and same-day disruption (delays, rebookings, missed connections). Each has a different best channel — phone is usually wrong for the first two, and the right channel for the last two.
For a detailed walk-through of each scenario — including timelines, what evidence to collect, and which jurisdictional rules apply — see our editorial guides:
- Airline baggage claims: lost, damaged and delayed luggage — the 7-day deadline, Montreal Convention limits, and how to file a PIR.
- Airline refunds and vouchers — when you're owed cash (not a voucher), how long the airline has, and how to dispute a refusal.
- How to reach airline customer service fastest — channel-by-channel playbook with IVR tactics.
Passenger rights when flying South African Airways in the EU
If your South African Airways flight departs from an EU airport — or arrives in the EU on South African Airways metal — you may be entitled to fixed cash compensation between €250 and €600 per passenger under EU Regulation 261/2004, separate from any refund. The threshold for the compensation right is a delay of 3 hours or more on arrival, a cancellation less than 14 days before departure, or denied boarding due to overbooking. The right to care (meals, accommodation during long waits) applies even when no cash compensation is owed.
Frequently asked questions about South African Airways
- What is South African Airways's customer service phone number?
- South African Airways customer service can be reached at +44 208 576 5100.
- Where can I find South African Airways support online?
- Visit https://www.flysaa.com/ for official support options.
- Does South African Airways customer service offer support in English?
- Yes, South African Airways offers English-speaking customer service. Call +44 208 576 5100 for support in English.
- Is South African Airways customer service available 24 hours?
- South African Airways customer service is not always available 24 hours a day. Check the opening hours section on this page for the current schedule.