Airlink is a privately-owned, full-service regional airline connecting 45 destinations across 15 African countries, including remote locations like Madagascar and St. Helena. Based in Johannesburg, South Africa, it operates an extensive fleet of commercial Embraer jet airliners in Southern Africa, with over 65 aircraft reaching hard-to-access spots across sub-Saharan Africa.
With decades of experience, Airlink has outlasted many competitors in the African skies. It’s known for being punctual, reliable and a highly trusted brand throughout the continent. As a longtime Africa correspondent, Airlink’s been a lifesaver, allowing me to reach incredible 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. Airlink almost never cancels a flight, maintains strong on-time performance with recent monthly ratings of 85-86% and maintains extra planes in case aircraft need swapping due to maintenance issues.
This reliability is a rarity in southern Africa, where airlines sometimes don’t show up to the gate, go bankrupt overnight or lack enough planes to cover routes during maintenance periods.
Next, the first checked bag is always free with 44 lbs (20kg) to most destinations. This comes in addition to hand luggage and a personal item. The airline charges excess baggage by the kilo at rates that won’t break the bank.
What’s more? On domestic flights, seat selection’s included in the Plain Sunbird fare, though regional flights charge around ZAR 460 (USD 35) for seat selection on this fare tier. Higher fares include free seat selection, and all fares allow flight changes for a fee.
All flights, even those less than an hour, include complimentary meals and beverages, keeping passengers satiated in the air. I’ve also found both ground staff and flight crew to be lovely and accommodating in all the years I’ve been flying with them.
Booking Airlink flights separate from long haul
Airlink has codeshare partnerships with British Airways, Emirates, and United Airlines, plus interline agreements with carriers including Lufthansa, Qatar Airways, Delta, and Swiss, among two dozen others. 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 separately. 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 offers up to five fares across economy and business classes, but you’ll typically choose from three economy options: Plain Sunbird, Variable Sunbird, and Elegant Sunbird. Business class is also available on select aircraft in the all-Embraer fleet. Airlink’s fare charts list a fourth economy fare, Magnificent Sunbird, which is their full economy fare offering 30kg baggage allowance, though I’ve never encountered it in practice.
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 refundable tickets minus administration 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 Menzies Shongololo (or Mashonzha) Lounge for regional and international flights. 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 from Airlink’s hub at Johannesburg (OR Tambo International Airport), allot ample time for check-in. Morning and early afternoon departures create alarmingly long check-in lines, and security wait times can be exhausting. 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, including the Bidvest Premier Lounge and Shongololo Lounge, and lounges like Bidvest Premier offer day passes for non-members.
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 their complimentary meal and beverage service on every flight, regardless of length. They typically offer two meat-based choices (usually chicken and beef) served 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 finalizing payment, you can choose from special meals (vegetarian, kosher, or Muslim) at no charge, provided you request them at least three business days before departure.
Additionally, their beverage service features complimentary wine, beer, and other alcoholic beverages alongside soft drinks, juice, coffee, and tea. 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 (under 18 sectors), followed by Red after 18 segments, and then Emerald after 35 segments.
Blue members earn 1.5% back on flights in Skybucks. Red status (18 segments) increases earnings to 3% and adds priority check-in and boarding. Emerald status (35 segments) boosts earnings to 5% and unlocks space-available business class upgrades plus extra baggage allowance.
That said, unless you’re a frequent flyer on Airlink, Skybucks isn’t particularly worthwhile. The program allows you to redeem Skybucks toward flight purchases or upgrades, and you can use them for partial payment with the balance paid by credit card. With only 1.5% back at the Blue level, it’s difficult to accumulate a meaningful balance, especially since Skybucks expire 18 months after your last qualifying flight activity. 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, lower fare classes typically earn reduced mileage percentages, which is a bit of a letdown.
On a brighter note, United MileagePlus offers Airlink flights for mileage redemption. Note that for awards originating in Southern Africa, redeposit fees (often around US$150) may apply if you need to cancel, unless you hold high-tier Premier status. Over the years, I’ve found ample award availability on several routes, often at reasonable redemption rates that provide decent value for miles, a decent use of miles.
This KAYAK-commissioned article is presented as-is, for general informational purposes only, and may not be up-to-date. The opinions contained in the article are original to the author and reflect their authentic experience, which may vary significantly from the experience of others. Find more perspectives in our user reviews below.
