Safair Avis 

Took a flight from OR Tambo international to East London airport (flight FA388) was very appalled by the rudeness of the air hostess Masebe and Damien.I boarded the flight had a small laptop bag containing my laptop and work equipment which is sensitive.Placed my hand luggage in the overhead bin and placed my laptop bag on top of my hand luggage.Damien then removed selected bags with yellow tags on them not all bags might I add,he then handles this bag anyhow and asks who's bag is this,I say it is mine he then says "you need to place it under the seat" I then place it under my seat but I am 1.98m tall now I feel uncomfortable as I can't stretch my legs as the bag is at the front.I see that there is other bags with the yellow tags and ask him why the other bags have not been removed he says nothing and walks away.I see that everyone has boarded and there is spaces in the over head storage and where my bag was initially has now been filled up by passengers bags which also have a yellow tag.So I see another air hostess Masebe walking towards the back passing me so I request her to please place my laptop bag in the overhead storage that has ample space and everyone has boarded the aircraft,to my amazement this lady tells me so it yourself as it is suppose to go under your seat and walka away.By now I am really upset.She comes to me later to ask me if I want to purchase anything I ask her to confirm her name,she confirms it is Masebe l,I then inform her that I am upset and I am going to write a review and write to SAFAIR management to lodge a complaint about her rudeness and the fact that my bag was removed from the overhead storage and when I requested her to place it where there was ample space she was rude to me all she said was "sis I remove it in the first place you must tell them who removed it,no apology and again just walks away.Is this how SAFAIR staff treats clients???this is very rude behaviour and these two individuals are really bringing your company into disrepute,will never use this pathetic airline again!!!

My experience of SafAir has been reasonably good but I’m sick and tired of airlines offering a list things you can order onboard but then running out of the popular items! Plan better!

SAFAIR CANCELLED MY MOM'S BOARDING PASS!!

My family had a flight from Johannesburg to East London. We checked in our luggage.
Safair issued my family of five, (including my mother, who was initially booked separately) all our boarding passes and baggage stubs . Safair then cancelled only HER boarding pass , allowing the rest of our family through, saying Only SHE was TOO LATE FOR the CHECK-IN. But we checked in AT THE SAME TIME!

Safair promised to put her on the next flight.
But then, Safair refused to put her on the next flight unless she PAID for STANDBY - this doesn't even guarantee a seat.

Now, she is forced to stay overnight in Johannesburg and buy another more expensive ticket to East London.

Is this the new way Safair is scamming passengers?

Flug Kapstadt Durban am 09.01.2026
gebucht und bezahlt, Business class Sitz 1a und 1c, Loungezugang. Beim priority Check-in wurden wir ohne irgendeine Information auf die Reihe 12 Eco gesetzt. Auf Nachfrage bei der inkompetenten Lady am Schalter wurde uns von ihr mitgeteilt, dass dies der Notausstieg ist und wir zu wenig Englisch verstehen! Die erneute Umbuchung auf die erste Reihe dauerte nach mehreren Nachfragen bei irgendwelchen Kollegen circa 45 Minuten. Dann endlich auf zu der angeblich bezahlten Slow Lounge. Schon wieder Fehlanzeige! Die gebuchte und bezahlte Lounge war die Bidvest. Never Fly"Saft"Air again. Wir sind 6 Monate im Jahr auf der ganzen Welt unterwegs. Diese Airline gehört für uns zu den schlechtesten und künftig no go.

There is obviously many negative reviews of Safair on this site. And it seems well deserved.

I have been trying to contact them for a refund following an emergency surgery for my daughter for over a month, and the only treasured contact I have had from them is from their AI, Lindi.

Their website is littered with references to "helpATflysafair.co.za" as the only email contact option, but I don't believe that address to be monitored. Multiple emails from me - no response.

I don't live in the country so cannot call their "wait on the line and we'll get round to you at some point" phone number.

Only fly with Safair if you aren't going to have anything go wrong to change your plans...

To Whom It May Concern,
I am writing to express my deep disappointment regarding the distressing experience I encountered with your service.
On 7 July 2025, I booked a flight online from Johannesburg to Cape Town scheduled for 18:30. The payment was successfully processed, and I received confirmation from my bank. However, I did not receive any confirmation email from your side.
Upon arrival at the airport, I was informed that the booking had been canceled and rejected. Despite multiple attempts to resolve the issue and board the flight — including having my bank confirm the successful payment over a phone call — no one was able to assist me.
This was particularly devastating as I was traveling due to a family emergency. I was left stranded at the airport and had to make alternate arrangements on my own, using the last of my available funds to try and get to Cape Town.
What is most disappointing is that despite being a loyal customer, no one was willing to go the extra mile to help me during this critical time. The lack of support and urgency shown was both frustrating and disheartening.
I urgently request that a senior representative contact me on 074 685 1902 to address this matter. I have attached all relevant documents, including proof of payment and booking details, for your reference.
I hope to receive a swift response and appropriate resolution to this matter.
Sincerely,

Absolute worst service! After cancelling my flight, they not only charged me R 300 to cancel but refuse to refund my money into legal tender I can use anywhere which is what I paid them with! Refund Me

A month ago we book tickets to fly from JHB to PE as part of an international trip from Australia to South Africa. After concluding the booking we received a tax invoice and believed everything was set. Excited, we land at O.R.Tambo and go to check in only to find that the booking was canceled 60 minutes after we received the email due to payment issues. There was no communication or email indicating that there was a problem from SAFAIR. So after speaking to sales desk at the airport, the only response from the agent is that it's not their problem and I should speak to another airline. I ended up spending R14000.00 to fly the next day because SAFAIR can't communicate and don't care.

Very efficient! I tried to make a simple change to a flight booking via edreams which was literally impossible, trying in vain for 1 month, feeling totally and utterly helpless, frustraed and cheated; eventually gave up (inculding the money paid to edreams) and emailed the helpdesk of Safair. they reacted instantly, did their absolute best and the matter was settled and the change made within less than 1 day and two emails. What a relief. Thank you!

Excellent. Good domestic flights and very good customer service. No faults at all