New ACSA hand baggage rules

When it comes to what you carry on to a plane, it looks like things are getting a lot stricter. As of Monday the 2^nd of February, the ACSA have enforced new hand luggage restrictions at airports across South Africa. 

The new baggage laws will allow for:

  -  One bag plus one slimline laptop bag per economy class passenger

  -  Two bags plus slimline laptop bag per business/first class passenger

  -  No bag should exceed these dimensions: 56cm x 36cm x 23cm (total dimensions of 115cm including handles and wheels)

  -  Weight limit per bag: 7kg

All hand luggage exceeding this would have to be checked in and multiple hand luggage bags are no longer allowed. ACSA warned that if any passengers exceed the hand baggage limits they will have to deal with the specific airline’s excess baggage rules.

Mango Airlines said it will not be penalizing travelers for additional bags that have to be checked in as a consequence of the new regulation as it does not charge per piece of baggage within its 20kg allowance. However, if you are using a low cost airline like Kulula or FlySafair, you will need to be aware of the additional costs you might have to pay.

Kulula said that they will be allowing one free checked bag weighing up to 20kg and one piece of hand luggage weighing up to 7kg, and other bags require you to pay between R245 (Online) or R350 (at the airport). While FlySafair tickets include a hand luggage limit, any checked in baggage fees start at R150 for the first bag and R250 for the second bag.

SAA and SACAA customers are the exception and may take cabin baggage into the plane weighing up to 8kg, however the number of pieces and sizes must be adhered to.

If you are a traveler be warned that there may be potential delays at the check-in and security processes at all airports due to congestion during the initial implementation period in the coming weeks.

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Written By: Christine Romans