This article explains how and when you can choose your seat on South African Airways, and what it may cost.
Can I choose my seat in advance?
Seat selection becomes available once your ticket is issued. Tickets are typically issued one to two months before departure. If you check before then and the airline tells you your flight isn't paid for yet, that's normal — it simply means your ticket hasn't been issued yet.
Once ticketed, you can request a seat directly with South African Airways, online or by phone.
Is there a cost?
Seat selection costs $30-$125 depending on seat type. In most cases, you can also select a seat for free at check-in, starting 24 hours before your flight.
How do I request a seat?
- Online: Visit South African Airways' website and use your confirmation number to access your reservation and select a seat, once your ticket is issued.
- By phone: Call South African Airways at 1-800-722-9675 once your ticket is issued.
If you're traveling with a Group Coordinator (and flying with 15 or more travelers)
Advanced seat selection with South African Airways isn't available for group bookings.
Need help?
If you have questions about your airline's seating, we recommend you first visit the airline's website and use your confirmation number to access your reservation. If you run into trouble selecting a seat at that time, review the timeline information above, as you may be too early to select a seat. If you still have issues after that, reach out to our team and we'll help you sort it out.