SAA carry-on: 8 kg per bag and personal item
SAA Economy and Business cabin limits, personal-item dimensions, international liquids and power-bank restrictions.
Cabin allowance
| Class | Main bags | Limit for each bag | Additional small item |
|---|---|---|---|
| Economy | 1 | 56×36×23 cm, 8 kg | 40×30×10 cm |
| Business | 2 | 56×36×23 cm, 8 kg | 40×30×10 cm |
Business permits two separate 8 kg bags, not one 16 kg bag. The small item is a handbag or slimline laptop bag; a large laptop bag or briefcase counts as a main bag. SAA does not publish a separate personal-item weight on this page.
Measure and check your flight
Measure the packed exterior, including protruding parts, and weigh each main bag. The source does not explicitly define the wheels/handles convention. Confirm the operating airline on each connection: a partner flight may use different rules.
Use the SAA airline page and bag checker. Select the correct cabin class; the checker assesses one bag at a time. If a bag exceeds a limit, contact SAA about checked carriage and the booking-specific charge. Paying a fee does not make an oversized bag fit the cabin.
Liquids and power banks
SAA explicitly applies its liquid restrictions to international flights: containers up to 100 ml in one transparent resealable 20×20 cm bag. Medicine, baby products and special dietary needs have exceptions. Check transit-airport requirements, including sealed duty-free purchases.
Power banks must be at most 100 Wh, individually protected and in the cabin. Do not put them in checked bags or overhead bins. Do not recharge them from aircraft power or use them to power devices during taxi, take-off or landing. The general 100–160 Wh approval rule is not an exception for SAA power banks.
Travelling with an infant
SAA allows one infant cabin bag up to 8 kg and 56×36×23 cm for feeding needs, nappies and bedding. A collapsible pram/buggy and car seat are carried free under the infant policy. Gate handover depends on the airport; the stroller may return at the aircraft or baggage carousel. Cabin car-seat use requires an eligible seat and a separate booked aircraft seat. Arrange this with SAA before travel.
Sources and scope
Reviewed 30 September 2026. Cabin limits, infant conditions and restrictions below apply to SAA; airport and partner-carrier conditions can differ.
Frequently asked questions
Does Business allow one 16 kg bag?
What size personal item is permitted?
Can a power bank above 100 Wh travel with approval?
Check if your bag fits
Compare your carry-on dimensions with your airline’s allowance.