Find cheap Airlink flights

Based in Johannesburg, South Africa, Airlink is a privately-owned, full-service regional airline connecting 45 destinations across 15 African countries. Operating an all-Embraer fleet – in fact, the largest fleet of commercial jet airliners in Southern Africa – it serves even remote locations like Madagascar, St. Helena, and other hard-to-reach spots across sub-Saharan Africa.

While many airlines in Africa have a short lifespan, Airlink marked 32 years of service in 2024. It’s known for being punctual, reliable, and a highly trusted brand throughout the continent. As an Africa correspondent for 15 years, Airlink has been a lifesaver, allowing me to reach epic destinations quickly, safely, efficiently, and affordably.

Why should you consider Airlink?

Like many others who regularly travel throughout sub-Saharan Africa, I am loyal to Airlink. While their prices may be higher than some fly-by-night airlines or fledgling low-cost competitors, Airlink brings several things to the table.

First, the airline is reliable – a rarity in southern Africa, where sometimes airlines simply don’t show up to the gate (or airfield), go bankrupt overnight or don’t have enough planes to cover their routes during time of maintenance. Airlink almost never cancels a flight, boasts a 95% punctuality rating, and has an excess of planes in the event aircraft need to be swapped due to maintenance issues.

Next, the first checked bag is always free with 44 lbs (20kg) to most destinations and 66 lbs (30kg) to others. This applies to even the most restrictive of economy fares and comes in addition to hand luggage and a personal item. Excess baggage is charged by the kilo at rates that won’t break the bank.

What’s more? Seat selection is also included in the lowest fares as are flight changes for a reasonable fee. All flights, even those less than an hour, include food and beverage service, keeping passengers satiated in the air. I have also found both ground staff and flight crew to be lovely and accommodating in all the years I have been flying with them.

Booking Airlink flights separate from long haul

Airlink has a handful of codeshare partners – British Airways, Emirates, Lufthansa, Qatar Airways, and United Airlines – plus interline agreements with two dozen more airlines, including Delta and Swiss. This setup allows passengers to book a single ticket for travel to or from destinations that involve multiple airlines, including Airlink, and to check bags all the way through.

For instance, through Delta’s website, I can book a ticket from New York JFK to Antananarivo, Madagascar (TNR), with the journey involving a Delta flight to Johannesburg (JNB) and then continuing to Madagascar on Airlink. Now, just because I can doesn’t mean I would – and there are a few reasons for that, starting with cost.

On a recent attempt to book via Delta’s interline agreement, I found that the price for a single ticket was more than triple compared to booking the segments separately: JFK to JNB on Delta and JNB to TNR on Airlink. I’ve seen this markup before with other partners, so my general rule is to purchase Airlink tickets à la carte.

While rechecking bags at the Airlink counter may sound inconvenient, the reality is that long-haul international flights rarely sync perfectly with Airlink’s regional schedule. This often results in layovers of more than 10 hours in Johannesburg or Cape Town, during which you’d probably want access to your luggage.

Lastly, I prefer to book Airlink one-ways or roundtrips separately from my long-haul flights because it allows for easier changes if needed and gives the option to pre-pay for any excess baggage.

Fare classes

Airlink’s all-Embraer fleet offers up to five different fares across two classes: economy and business. However, a dedicated business class section is available on less than half the fleet, so most of the time, you’ll be choosing from three types of economy fares: Plain Sunbird, Variable Sunbird, and Elegant Sunbird. Airlink’s fare charts also list a fourth economy fare, Magnificent Sunbird, but in practice, I’ve never encountered this option.

On aircraft equipped with business class, the choices expand to include the three economy fares plus Superb Sunbird, which is the only business class fare. Among the economy fares, the main differences are in the costs for ticket changes and refundability. Since all economy fares come with a free checked bag, seat selection, and allow changes for a fee, I always go for the cheapest option, Plain Sunbird.

I’ve never found it worthwhile to buy a business class ticket on Airlink, but for those who do, benefits include more checked baggage allowance, an extra piece of luggage, free flight changes, and, if cancelling, a full refund minus administrative and carrier-imposed fees. Business class also offers a more spacious seat at the front of the cabin in a 1-2 configuration, compared to the 2-2 layout in economy.

Business class passengers get lounge access at Johannesburg airport: Bidvest Premier Lounge for domestic flights and the Shongololo Lounge for international. However, I don’t find this a major perk since these lounges are part of the Priority Pass network, which you can already access for free with the right credit card.

Check-in

When flying out of Airlink’s hub at Johannesburg - OR Tambo International Airport (JNB), allot ample time for check-in. With so many Airlink flights leaving in the morning and early afternoon hours, check-in lines can be alarmingly long. Couple that with exhausting wait times to get through security and it’s a recipe for stress and airport anxiety.

If you happen to travel on a day when the lines are miraculously short, enjoy the extra time at one of JNB’s fabulous lounges. Many are free to Priority Pass members and offer day passes for non-members at nominal prices.

Amenities & entertainment

Airlink skews old school when it comes to the in-flight experience – and, for me, delightfully so. While there’s no onboard entertainment or Wi-Fi, there’s a great in-flight magazine, Skyways, and complete food and beverage service. I always choose a window seat to ogle the African landscapes as my entertainment, a glass of South Africa wine in hand.

If you aren’t feeling the digital detox, be sure to not only download your entertainment on your personal electronic device beforehand but charge it also. There are no outlets for charging onboard.

In-flight catering

One thing I love about Airlink is that regardless of how short the flight is, they always provide food and drinks, including both alcoholic and non-alcoholic options. Typically, they offer two meat-based choices – usually chicken and beef – served either on a tray or in a charming snack box, which includes a sandwich or salad along with treats like nuts, cookies, gummies, and biltong.

Since I don’t eat meat, I always pre-select the vegetarian option when booking. Before you finalize payment, there’s an option to choose from various special meals, including vegetarian, kosher, or Muslim, all free of charge.

Additionally, their beverage service features complimentary South African wines and beers. Over the years, I’ve noticed Airlink consistently carries an excellent Sauvignon Blanc on the cart. After the initial service, I often request another round if there’s still some available (and there almost always is!).

In-flight magazine

Given the lack of modern entertainment, even those who no longer read magazines may find themselves flipping through the pages of Skyways. While you’re bound to find some travel articles about far-flung places reachable by Airlink, also look forward to a fun route map towards the back, sure to evoke wanderlust.

Loyalty program

Airlink’s loyalty program, Skybucks, allows you to acquire elite status by flying a certain number of segments. The first tier is Blue, followed by Red after 18 segments, and then Emerald after 35 segments.

As a first rung Blue member, your only perk is earning 1% back on flights in the form of Skybucks. This percentage increases to 3% at Red status, along with priority check-in and priority boarding. Reaching Emerald status boosts your earnings to 5% and unlocks a range of great benefits, including space-available complimentary business class upgrades and an extra baggage allowance.

That said, unless you’re a frequent flyer on Airlink, Skybucks isn’t particularly worthwhile. The program only allows you to redeem Skybucks toward flight purchases or upgrades, and you need enough Skybucks to cover the entire purchase. With only 1% back at the Blue level, it’s difficult to accumulate a meaningful balance, especially since Skybucks expire after 18 months. Simply put: don’t waste your time.

Airline Partner: United Airlines

A second way to earn frequent flyer points on Airlink is through United MileagePlus. You can add your United number when booking and earn miles based on flight distance and the fare class. However, if you go with my preferred option, Plain Sunbird, you’ll only earn 25% of the distance flown, which is a bit of a letdown.

On a brighter note, United MileagePlus offers Airlink flights for mileage redemption. MileagePlus tickets are fully refundable without penalty, effectively making economy redemptions comparable to Elegant Sunbird fares. Over the years, I’ve found ample award availability on several routes, often at reasonable rates that value United miles at about 1.5 cents each – a decent use of miles.