On this page we attempt to make available the experience of individual bicycle tourists who have travelled with SAA (South African Airways) (you can share your experiences here).
Kudos to SAA
Good, clear bike policy. EUR60 London/South Africa. And free if you ride the Cape Argus Cycle Tour. Compare and contrast with the other carriers who ply that route; BA and Virgin both treat bikes as excess baggage. I know, was charged UKP700 by BA for one bike, one way. Never again.
David Love, March 23, 2006SAA (South African Airways)
I packed my bike in a box and they charged me £27 on my outward bound flight from Heathrow to South Africa. Apon my return they charged me £130 for the very same bike and box. A letter of complaint was sent to them. They aknowledged its arrival but am yet to hear anything from them 10 working days later. I protested the second charge because it is substantially higher for reasons the rude airline staff would not/could not give me.
They also damaged my bike by madhandling the box and breaking it open. On my return to the UK they even tore a huge hole on the one side of the box. The scratches were of such a nature as to remove the powdercoating from my frame. And yes, I had at least 12 "fragile" stickers on the outside of the box on all sides.
All bike owners who wish to fly with these airline pirates beware! Rude staff who treat you like cattle and it was a nightmare flying with my bike thinking what damage they would do to it.