Airlink South Africa. Carry on question

N

nburt

New member
Joined
Aug 11, 2025
Messages
7
Reaction score
5
I have a hunt booked in South Africa in August of 2027. Just booked flights. Website states only one carry on item and a slimline laptop bag for economy seats. They do not have business seats available on website for our flight. I want to have a camera bag and small bag with change of clothes, binos, etc. in cabin. Does anyone know if I can just pay for extra carry on bag?
 
If you haven’t booked your flight, try flysafari.co.za
 
As you walk to the stairs and on the tarmac, you can drop off your bag with all the others that are going to be stowed. Hasn't been any charge that I can remember.

How "Stairs / Gate Check" Bags Work on Airlink
  • Dropping off: If the overhead bins or under-seat space on the smaller plane cannot fit your carry-on roller bag, agents will ask you to leave it on the tarmac/ramp next to the stairs before you climb up to the cabin. [1, 2, 3]
  • Picking it up: Upon landing, your bag is typically brought back out to the bottom of the aircraft stairs for you to collect as you deplane. [1]
  • No extra fee for standard carry-on: Dropping a standard cabin bag at the stairs because of aircraft size limitations does not incur an extra baggage fee.
 
Ok. So I would drop off the extra bag there at plane and then get it off plane after we land? So no chance of bag getting lost and very little chance of theft? That's my main reasons for not wanting to check bags
 
nburt said:
Ok. So I would drop off the extra bag there at plane and then get it off plane after we land? So no chance of bag getting lost and very little chance of theft? That's my main reasons for not wanting to check bags
Click to expand...
Done it many times and never had a problem.
 
Thank you, Hogpatrol. I will not worry about it then.
 
nburt said:
Thank you, Hogpatrol. I will not worry about it then.
Click to expand...
As hogpatrol says it is no trouble at all. I've done it before myself. Airlink overhead storage is small as are the planes.
 
I always board Airlink with my small computer bag and daypack containing carryon. Never been a problem taking them to my seat. If the camera bag fits under the seat in front you are fine. Daypack goes in the overhead.
 
Yes, they have business. It's just regular seat at the front with the middle seat empty.
 
Thank y'all very much! It's first trip to Africa. Didn't know what to expect. Really appreciate all the information I have gotten here. I even found my outfitter here, Game 4 Africa.
 
wesheltonj said:
Yes, they have business. It's just regular seat at the front with the middle seat empty.
Click to expand...
I don't recall seeing this on any of their flights I have been on, but it may have been like that in their older planes. They fly Embraer jets and all of their configurations are a 2 seat on either side of the aisle setup. At least that is what their entire fleet is today. I get upgraded by them quite often and their seats are basically similar to a first class USA seat but I would guess just a tad bit smaller. The smaller planes configuration is a 3 seat configuration up front. The really small planes that you can barely stand in don't have business class seats at all and and anything bigger than a fanny pack has to go in the belly of the aircraft because the overhead bins are tiny. That is a joke but its not too far off :E Lol:
 
I flew Cape Town to Windhoek with them last summer. I carried on a backpack and a camera bag with no questions.
 
I’ve carried these things on many times
I would NOT let anything out of my hands in Africa unless they made me.
I can understand the folks checking st the plane where you get it immediately and that is 90% safe
But that goes under the plane and I wouldn’t put electronics or camera gear through that
You can carry on and a personal item just like here…no different
 
Hogpatrol said:
As you walk to the stairs and on the tarmac, you can drop off your bag with all the others that are going to be stowed. Hasn't been any charge that I can remember.

How "Stairs / Gate Check" Bags Work on Airlink
  • Dropping off: If the overhead bins or under-seat space on the smaller plane cannot fit your carry-on roller bag, agents will ask you to leave it on the tarmac/ramp next to the stairs before you climb up to the cabin. [1, 2, 3]
  • Picking it up: Upon landing, your bag is typically brought back out to the bottom of the aircraft stairs for you to collect as you deplane. [1]
  • No extra fee for standard carry-on: Dropping a standard cabin bag at the stairs because of aircraft size limitations does not incur an extra baggage fee.
Click to expand...
Exactly
 
I've flown Air Link short haul Embraers a few times where there was a one seat row and a two seat row. Not a lot of overhead space in those.
 
nburt said:
Thank y'all very much! It's first trip to Africa. Didn't know what to expect. Really appreciate all the information I have gotten here. I even found my outfitter here, Game 4 Africa.
Click to expand...
You have chosen wisely. I thoroughly enjoyed my trip there.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Members online

... and 1084 more.
Total: 383,333 (members: 1,134, guests: 382,199)

Forum statistics

Threads
70,735
Messages
1,584,775
Members
173,108
Latest member
MerlinBdo9
 

 

 

Proudly sponsored by

Latest posts

Latest profile posts

cwpayton
cwpayton wrote on Garrett89's profile.
I recieved the 22 mag ammo today, thanks ,well done,
•••
E
Esoteric Junkie wrote on Noah Hutchens's profile.
Noah,
I might be interested in the 470 Woodleigh Softs if the price is right for the entire lot. Are you planning on going to the Tulsa Gunshow in November? If so, perhaps we could meet up.

Corbin [redacted] cell
•••
HENRY GRIFFITHS SAFARIS
HENRY GRIFFITHS SAFARIS
•••
HENRY GRIFFITHS SAFARIS
HENRY GRIFFITHS SAFARIS
•••
Bushcat Safaris
Bushcat Safaris
Check out our Cull Package Eastern Cape.Springbuck only one of these available. 2027
•••

Share this page

 
Top