Flying your pet with South African Airways
South African Airways carries pets as manifested cargo on many of its international routes. FlyMyPet books South African Airways pet travel end to end — including the crate, documentation and customs clearance.
South African Airways pet policy at a glance
| In cabin | No |
| Checked baggage | Yes — domestic flights, with an adult passenger |
| Cargo | Yes — international and unaccompanied pets |
| Hold | Same temperature and pressure as the cabin |
How pets fly on SAA
Dogs, cats and birds travel as checked baggage on domestic South African flights when accompanied by an adult passenger, in a hold section kept at cabin temperature and pressure. International moves and large or unaccompanied pets travel as manifest cargo.
Johannesburg hub
SAA's JNB base pairs naturally with South Africa's export vet process — flight bookings, state vet appointments and export permits have to line up, which is the core of what we coordinate.
Frequently asked questions
Can my dog fly as checked baggage on SAA?
Domestically yes, with an adult passenger. International relocations go as manifest cargo.
Is the SAA hold safe for pets?
The live-animal hold section is pressurised and temperature-controlled to the same conditions as the passenger cabin.
Policy details last verified 2026-07. Airline rules and fees change — always confirm current requirements on the official South African Airways pet travel page before booking.
Pet routes we book on South African Airways
| Route | Airports | From |
|---|---|---|
| Johannesburg → Abidjan | JNB → ABJ | from $688 |
| Johannesburg → Accra | JNB → ACC | from $688 |
| Johannesburg → Kinshasa | JNB → FIH | from $590 |
| Johannesburg → São Paulo | JNB → GRU | from $839 |
| Johannesburg → Harare | JNB → HRE | from $664 |
| Johannesburg → Lagos | JNB → LOS | from $645 |
| Johannesburg → Lusaka | JNB → LUN | from $654 |
| Johannesburg → Port Louis | JNB → MRU | from $1,174 |
| Johannesburg → Windhoek | JNB → WDH | from $1,213 |
Book South African Airways pet travel
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