Airlink Reviews 67

Avoid. Complete ripoff if your luggage is a few kg heavy. And their weight limit is lower than other airlines - presumably to catch people out. They make you choose whether to remove items from your luggage or agree to pay an excess charge before you even know what the charge will be. Which is a complete ripoff.
They charged DOUBLE what the extra weight charge should have been then refused to refund me. The planes are cramped too. Go with SAA South Africa airways instead..

A combination of incompetence and lack of care for customers resulted in me and my family (I have three children, including a 5 month old infant) missing our flight from JHB to Vilankulos.

We spent over an hour checking in, because Airlink staff told us that our infant son would not be able to travel without a change of name on his ticket. Following conversations with the customer service and ticketing desks, it turned out this was nonsense. The ticket desk attendant even apologised for her colleagues before providing a boarding pass and sending us on our way.

When we arrived at the gate, we noticed there were not very many passengers there. We checked with an Airlink member of staff at a nearby gate, who told us not to worry and that a bus would come by to pick us up shortly. After twenty minutes of waiting, we were told by another member of staff that the gate was closed and that the flight had departed. This is despite no updates on the information screens nor the gate screen - not even to indicate that boarding had begun. It was at this stage that we realised that they had left about a dozen passengers behind (the flight was only for 80 people, so about 15% of the passengers).

We went to complain to Airlink staff at the nearby gates, who tried to hide from us before running away laughing. We then went through the circus of being sent from one Airlink desk to another, each taking their turn to explain why they were not qualified to help us. They also refused to provide accommodation or seats on another flight, forcing us to spend another £1000 on replacement flights for the next day.

We contacted the customer services by email a couple of days later, together with some of the other deserted passengers, to explain what had gone on and request compensation. Airlink took nearly three weeks to respond with the findings of their investigation - it provided inconsistent details and a palpably inaccurate version of events, as well as ignoring elements of our complaint. It turns out the incompetence and heartless nature of this company is not limited to those working in OR Tambo airport.

I would suggest that you avoid this airline if you can. If you must fly with them, then book your flight using a good credit card (e.g. Amex). We have told our credit card company what has happened and they are in the process of refunding us for the additional tickets and extra expenses incurred. The only positive I can take is that at least Airlink with lose some of their income for their shocking lack of customer care.

After reading the reviews I wasn’t looking forward to my trip, but only it was the only way from Johannesburg to Maun and booked as part of a package. What a surprise. Comfortable, plenty of leg room, helpful cabin crew, good flight and best airline food I’ve ever had and completely unexpected for a short flight!!!
Then flew Kasane to Johannesburg, again no faults!

Very horrible service in managing lost luggage.
no proper protocols followed, very very negligent even after following with their office, the bag was found with missing items after a back and forth for more than 21 days of promising to get back to us. This airline doesn't know what they are doing, especially their Gaborone office.

Flew from South Africa to Bulawayo. On arrival my luggage was nowhere to be found, poor communication as well, l had to ring different offices for an update. My luggage arrived following day with missing items. I have emailed Airlink, no response yet. They did not respond to my X comment

I recently had the worst experience with Airlink. They delayed my flight from Zimbabwe to South Africa and missed my connecting flight to Doha, Qatar. Sadly, the airline didn't even make accommodation arrangements despite acknowledging that the delay was their responsibility. It is an experience that I don't wish on anyone. The airline should improve.

horrible company!!! the worst of all airlines
they lost my luggage and they don't deliver the luggage...when I had to pick up my luggage they won't even pay the taxi to the aiport so that I can get my luggage

They managed to fly 11 of us from Cape Town to Victoria Falls minus our luggage which we were only able to retrieve upon our return to Cape Town 4 days later. They were of no help and are unwilling to reimburse for essentials purchased in Zimbabwe in the absence of our luggage.

I have had the same problem with Airlink online bookings. Flight price is quoted, then an error when you book and if you start again, the price increased. The last time was a booking on flight booked for Friday 3/5. Original price increased by R400 after error message.

Exellent airline. Very comfortable seats, very good food and beverages served by friendly flight attendents. Punctual. Definitely recommend.
Flight from joburg to bulawayo return. 9 March 2024/12 March 2024

We recently travel from Johannesburg to George with Safair & back with Airlink

We had to add an additional bag which was simple on the Safair website & they charged R250, by comparison I could not find anyway to add an extra bag on Airlink so at the airport they charged us R800!

Take note when you make a booking - Airlink do not provide you with any information about your ticket type, and so you will have no point of reference for change or cancellations when managing your booking.

Booking email - no ticket type information.

'Manage my booking' function on their website - no ticket type information.

Then when you go to cancel your booking on their website, there is still no mention of your ticket type, cancellation terms, refund eligibility, or forfeiture of your monies. The website just says you must email them FOR A REFUND after you cancel... not even stating you might not be eligible.

DO NOT PRESS SUBMIT - Call them instead, or just do not cancel. The website should state this... in the absence of any useful information.

When you do click submit and emailing them, they tell you your tickets are non-refundable, and if you want to reinstate the tickets you will have to pay current prices, which are now 150% more expensive than what I paid.

Had I of known this I would have kept my booking.

Customer service stood their ground and said I should have REMEMBERED what ticket type I purchased 5 months ago. Which is insane! Imagine having to remember the terms for every transaction if life!!

I have never seen this with any other airline, and I fly c.15 times per year.

Terrible experience. Website and ticketing process needs a complete revamp. Unhelpful customer service. No resolution.

I will never book with Airlink again.

I recently had the misfortune of booking a flight with Airlink, and my experience has been nothing short of a nightmare. Two weeks ago, my travel plans were disrupted when Airlink decided to change the departure time of my flight without any warning or consideration for its passengers.

The inconvenience began when I received an update notification informing me that my flight time had been shifted to a much later time. This unexpected change created a ripple effect on my entire travel itinerary, as I had a connecting flight with Flysafair right after the Airlink segment.

When I contacted Airlink customer service to express my concerns and request a refund or an alternative solution, I was met with utter indifference and a refusal to provide any assistance, they only wanted to refund me in 4 months' time which is unexpectable. Despite the fact that the schedule change was entirely their fault, Airlink showed no willingness to take responsibility for the inconvenience they caused.

To make matters worse, as a result of Airlink's incompetence, I had to purchase a new ticket for my connecting flight with Flysafair. The additional cost and stress caused by Airlink's lack of accountability were both unnecessary and infuriating.

In summary, my experience with Airlink was marred by their unprofessionalism, lack of customer consideration, and refusal to rectify a situation they created. I would strongly advise against using Airlink for any future travel plans, as their disregard for their customers' well-being is a clear indicator of their subpar service. Save yourself the trouble and choose a more reliable airline for your journey.

Absolutely no regard for their customers: we experienced a luggage issue at ORT- a broken conveyer belt. Luggage took longer than expected to arrive at the aircraft: pilots refused to wait for all the luggage to arrive at the plane and left 45 pieces of luggage behind. To add insult to injury - Airlink refused to deliver the luggage to us if/when it ever arrives !! (We have American travellers in our group who have never experienced this in decades of global travel: planes refusing to wait 15/20 minutes for their passengers luggage and an airline refusing to deliver left behind baggage to their passengers. )

Travelled with Airlink on the 29th of November 2023 from JNB to HRE on flight 4Z104 and they lost my bags and never bothered to call me when they had found the bags despite having promised to call me. I had to call them to enquire about the bags. Yesterday the 19th of December I flew with them on my return trip on flight 4Z107 from Harare and they left my bags again. Worst experience ever with this Airline. I am so not happy at all.

I would put 0 stars if I could.

I flew twice with Airlink and they lost my baggage both times.
First on a flight from Johannesburg to Victoria Falls but the bag eventually turned up two days later.

Second, when I was flying with Airlink from Victoria Falls to Cape Town and then transferring to London Heathrow on a British Airways flight. I paid for my checked-in baggage to be transferred to the BA flight so I only had to pick it up once in London but it never arrived.

I have been informed by Airlink that my suitcase is with an “intermediary agent” (but never got given a name for said agent) and that I should contact them to retrieve my suitcase. The phone numbers they provided for me to contact them don’t work and are never answered. I told Airlink that the suitcase should have been given to British Airways and not an “intermediary agent” so it should be their responsibility to retrieve it but they make no effort in doing so, despite numerous complaints from my end.

My advice to travellers: don’t fly with Airlink and, if you don’t have the choice, ensure you put GPS trackers in your baggage’s because they will never ensure they are delivered safely to you.

Two flights. JNB-ELS and return. Both on Embraers (135 and 140), which were very comfortable for a small plane, and I'm 6'3".

Another Airline lost our luggage on outward flight, but it arrived as we were waiting to board plane. Airlink tried to sort it out on our behalf, but we ran out of time, and had to leave the cases behind, but I really appreciate the efforts of the Airlink staff at East London airport.

They provide a great service but have major issues. My suitcase lock was removed, lost two of my watches. Tried to contact them just to waste my time. They have a terrible customer service. You must wrap your bag if you decide to travel with them

My international flight was from DOHA flight QR1363/26 to Johannesburg OR Tambo Johannesburg. After I arrived at the OR Tambo airport I went with the other passengers to the carousel to pick up my suitcase and went to check it in at The SA AIRLINK counter. I was issued with only a boarding pass and as I walked away I realized that there was not a new tag on my checked in suitcase. I went back to the counter and asked the gentleman why there was not a new tag placed on my suitcase. He told me that it will go with the tag from Qatar to Richards bay. There are cameras all over the airport departure hall which can be checked. When I arrived at Richards bay my suitcase was not between the luggage and I immediately went to the Airlink counter and reported that my suitcase was not there. I had to fill in forms and this was given through to LOST LUGGAGE in Johannesburg. I contacted the Lost luggage department and apparently my suitcase was not scanned nor checked in and this was about half past 5. The lady was very helpful and said that she will do everything she could to locate my bag but now I am stuck with only the clothes that I have on. I am here for 3 weeks and feel that the cameras must be checked and the employees have to be disciplined and I need to be compensated to buy clothes for the 3 weeks here in South Africa as I am staying and working in Saudi Arabia. I feel that this employee has done this on purpose and even if there were long queues the employees should make sure that the suitcase which is checked in have to be tagged. I want to see that this employee be disciplined and if he could not be located the whole team that was on duty on Friday between 11 and 1 o'clock must be called in. I also enquire about training and was told that continuous training are given to every employee and gets the full training before being put at a counter to service the travelers.
I could find a photo of me with my bag that is lost now and have forwarded this also to Airlink lost luggage.
The main concern at OR TAMBO Airport is that the employees are rude and they not easily want to give them their names or the names of Management to report things like this.
I would also suggest that the employees payroll number be printed on the check-in ticket to ensure that if there is queries like this the query can go straight to the necessary employee.

I spent a long time and made numerous attempts to make a booking and their system kept bombing out and not accepting my card while the price kept increasing at the same time. Eventually when it did accept my card After repeatedly inputting the correct info I managed then to get it booked in the wrong direction and didn't realise it til later . They would not give a full credit so I had to pay for another ticket and could only get one much later in the day. Now here I sit at OR Tambo all day and they tell me it will cost an additional R2200 just to get on a waitlist for standby. Their attitude of make the most out of a customers bad situation does not sit well.