On Monday morning, domestic carrier FlySafair was forced to cancel at least 26 flights after receiving last-minute notices from pilots that they would not report for duty.

The company said the disruption is regrettable but largely out of its control. This is pilots are planning a stay-away for up to two weeks. 

“What we are experiencing is industrial action on the part of our pilots. Unfortunately, our hands are tied,” said Kirby Gordon, Chief Marketing Officer at FlySafair, speaking from OR Tambo International Airport. “We are issuing refunds and rebooking where we can, but negotiations remain tense.”

The airline claims pilots already earn between R1.8 million and R2.3 million per year, placing them “within the top 1% of earners in the country.”

It is believed that FlySafair pilots down tools due to a pay dispute, sparking widespread flight cancellations and renewed debate around pilot remuneration.

This begs the question: What other airlines can South Africans use?

Lift Airlines

Lift Airlines was launched in December 2020, making it the country’s youngest low-cost carrier. The company is based in Cape Town and operates primarily across Johannesburg, Cape Town and Durban on Airbus A320s.

It has earned multiple awards and is known for flexibility (zero change/cancellation fees), generous baggage policies, pet-friendly service and free onboard snacks and premium coffee.

South African Airways (SAA)

The country’s flag carrier, South African Airways, relaunched in 2021 under the Takatso Consortium, with majority private ownership but government retaining strategic influence via a golden share.

Since its relaunch, it has restored several intercontinental routes. It was ranked 4th best airline in Africa in 2025 and earned praise as the cleanest airline on the continent. SAA recorded its first profit since 2011 recently and is actively seeking listing on the Johannesburg Stock Exchange to attract fresh capital.

Airlink

A privately owned regional airline founded in 1992, Airlink operates about 70 Embraer aircraft (including new E195‑E2s arriving through 2027) and serves networks across 45–55 destinations in up to 15 sub‑Saharan countries. It partners with major global carriers.

Qatar Airways holds a 25% equity stake and two board seats to deepen code‑share and network integration. The airline is noted for punctual service, strong regional connectivity, and operational efficiency.

CemAir

CemAir, founded in 2005 and headquartered at OR Tambo Airport in Kempton Park, operates a fleet of around 26 smaller aircraft, serving both domestic routes (to cities such as Cape Town, Durban, Bloemfontein, Kimberley) and charter or interline destinations in neighbouring countries like Mozambique, Botswana, Zimbabwe and South Sudan.

It has had past regulatory challenges but resumed full operations after legal interventions in 2019. Passenger feedback is mixed, as some report reliability and comfort, while others describe last-minute cancellations without adequate rebooking support.

British Airways (Domestic within SA)

British Airways, operating domestic South African routes through its regional unit, offers a higher-end travel experience for domestic passengers. It focuses on premium service quality and reliability for inter-city travel on routes like Johannesburg to Cape Town and Durban. While not ranked among the top domestic airlines in Skytrax awards, it maintains a strong reputation among business and premium leisure travellers for comfort and in-flight amenities. 

IOL 

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