South Africans looking for ultra-cheap domestic flights have reason to celebrate as FlySafair has officially announced its highly anticipated annual birthday sale for 2026 — with tickets starting from just R12.
Sale date and time confirmed
According to reports, the airline’s massive promotional sale will take place on Wednesday, 6 May 2026, running from 09:00 to 23:59.
During this limited-time window, a total of 50,000 one-way seats will be made available across FlySafair’s domestic network at the headline price of R12.
What travellers should know
While the R12 fare grabs attention, there are important details travellers should keep in mind:
- The R12 is a base fare, and additional fuel surcharges and taxes may apply.
- Tickets are available only through FlySafair’s official website, not via the app or other booking channels.
- The sale will end either at 23:59 or once all tickets are sold out, whichever comes first.
High demand and “waiting room” system
Due to overwhelming demand each year, FlySafair will again implement its online waiting room system to manage traffic.
- Access to booking is randomised, not first-come-first-served
- Selected users will have 10 minutes to complete their purchase
- Others will remain in a queue until given access
This system aims to ensure fairness while preventing the website from crashing under heavy demand.
Travel period and limitations
The discounted tickets are valid for travel on selected domestic routes between May and November 2026, depending on availability.
Passengers should also note:
- Tickets are non-refundable
- Bookings are only confirmed once full payment is made
- Each person is limited in the number of bookings they can make
A popular annual event
FlySafair’s birthday sale has become one of the most anticipated travel events in South Africa, with previous years offering fares as low as R10 and R11.
As one of the country’s leading low-cost carriers, the airline continues to use the promotion to celebrate its growth while making air travel more accessible.
Final word
With only 50,000 seats available and massive public interest expected, travellers are advised to prepare early, log in before the start time, and have their travel details ready.
If you’re lucky enough to get through the queue, a R12 flight could be your next big travel win.
