South African Airways Flight Attendant Salary and Benefits

A multi-awarded airline in South Africa – South African Airways (SAA). This airline is the flag carrier of the said country, not to mention that it also plays a big role in South Africa’s GDP. According to Indeed ZA, the monthly salary of a Flight Attendant working in a South Africa-based airline like South Africa Airways earns average of R17,868 ($934) per month. Honestly, there are endless possibilities to increase your earning as an FA.

Also Read: South African Airways Cabin Crew Requirements

The national airline of South Africa, SAA, offers flights to over 35 locations throughout Africa, the Middle East, Asia, Europe, Australia, and North and South America from Johannesburg, which serves as its hub. Since its first trip, the airline introduce the world to South Africa by showcasing a friendly, giving nature. The airline has grown into a major player in the aviation industry brought by its excellence, which has earned it 14 Skytrax awards. The said recognitions labeled SAA as the greatest airline in Africa and the continent’s first four-star airline.

South African Airways flight attendants boarding
Image: South African Airways

Cash Salary Breakdown

  • Basic Salary –  According to Indeed ZA, the average monthly salary of a cabin crew in South African Airways is R17,868 ($934). The said rate lies in the average line of Flight Attendants. FAs can also earn an extra salary through special flights, bonuses, commissions, profit sharing, stock options, and tips are all possible forms of additional compensation.
  • Flying Pay –  Currently, there are no provided rates for the FA’s working in this airline. This flying pay is also known as per hour pay. As an FA you will be paid for every hour you fly on air at a specific rate.
  • Layover Allowance – There are no publicized per diem pay or layover allowance for Flight Attendants working at SAA. The per diem pay is intended to cover the expenses of all your meals and other necessities during a stopover. This varies based on the location.

Benefits

  • Insurance – As an FA, you will get insured. This covers flight attendants’ and their dependents’ health, vision, dental, and life insurance. Health savings accounts and other medical benefits could be included in these plans.
  • Retirement Plans – As an FA, you will get savings or retirement benefits. Employees can use this perk to budget and plan for the future.
  • Flexible Schedule – It’s common for flight attendants to work three days per week. For some people, this might be very good work shecule because it frees up more time for hobbies, family time, or vacation. The schedules of flight attendants are distinctive and flexible. So it’s considered far from the 9 to 5 job in the corporate world.
  • Food Reimbursement – Free meals or food reimbursement is a fun perk of working as a flight attendant. Along with the in-flight meals and snacks. Per diem pay is one of the best reimbursement you can get.
  • Travel for Free – Flight attendants has the chance to travel the world, aside from in between flights. Between flights, you may have hours or even days to travel and see nearby sights and experience the beauty of different tourist attractions. Free flights are often offered on a standby basis, which means that paying passengers board first and crew members can take any open seats if there is available.

Also Read: Best Travel Benefits as a Flight Attendant

South African Airways female flight attendants
Image: South African Airways

SAA Exceptional Training for Cabin Crews

According to internationally recognized standards, SAA offers the best cabin crew training available, enabling Cabin Crew Members to learn the skills needed to successfully handle any safety, medical, or emergency issue on board.

The inflight service training programs offered by this airline are created to adhere to national and international standards for service delivery. Thus every FA who have experienced training in this airline has the ability to become effective customer service representatives.

Video: South African Airways; Best Cabin Crew in Africa and Most Improved Airline 2023.

This video will give you the courage to continue your application at South African Airways and become their new Flight Attendant. You will witness in this video how this very prouf FA from SAA do some of the most important roles during a flight. At the World Airline Awards in Paris, Skytrax recognized SAA as having the best cabin crew in Africa and the continent’s most improved airline for 2023. This airline is undeniably the most successful airline in South Africa.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. What is SAA known for?

57 destinations are served by South African Airways, one of the continent’s top airlines, in collaboration with SA Express, Airlink, and Mango, SAA’s low-cost carrier. From its core in Johannesburg, the alliance services the entire continent as well as eight international routes.

2. What are the benefits exclusive for FAs?

Unlike any other job on different industries, being a flight attendant can give you travel benefits through plane. This benefit can also be shared to your family and friends.

3. Which airline in South Africa pays high?

When it comes to providing high salary rates to air transport employees, SAA stand as the top highest paying airline in South Africa.

4. Do I need to work on Public Holidays?

Flight attendants do work on holidays. In fact, some FAs from this airline mentioned that you will work long hours during the said special days.

5. Is the salary fair at this airline?

SAA is one of the airlines in South Africa that provides above-national average salary for FAs.

Summary

The average monthly pay for a flight attendant working for a South African airline like South Africa Airways (SAA) is R17,868 ($934), according to Indeed ZA. It takes time to become the top airline in Africa. The said airline draw on more than 80 years of brilliance and invention. Throughout the eight decades that SAA have been introducing the world to Africa, a lot of FAs have become successful in life.