Travel Notice Updated: 10 April 2021
Scheduled flights to St Helena have been suspended since 21 March 2020, a result of the worldwide Covid-19 pandemic. A series of charter flights from the UK have been organised since, as well as medevac flights to South Africa. The situation remains the same at this time (April 2021) with no news yet of when the scheduled service is likely to restart.
Flights to St Helena Island from South Africa take place once a week, on Saturdays, flying from OR Tambo International Airport, Johannesburg to St Helena Airport.
An additional mid-week Tuesday flight allowed people to fly to St Helena between 4 December, 2018 and 23 April, 2019. This extra Tuesday flight, in response to seasonal demand, will be included again from December 2019 to March 2020.
South African airline, SA Airlink, operates the service with the Brazilian made, Embraer E190 aircraft, capable of carrying 98 passengers.
Flights To St Helena | by Darrin Henry
Information in this post:
- Ticket Prices
- Refuelling Stop in Namibia
- Flight Times of the Weekly Air Service
- Ascension Island Flights
- Additional Mid-Week Flights & Cape Town Link
- Baggage Allowance
- How to Purchase Tickets
- Flight Passenger Numbers
- St Helena Airport Wind Shear
- Weather Delays & Flight Cancellations
- Flying on the SA Airlink Embraer and Landing at St Helena
- Tracking the Flight In Real Time
- Atlantic Star Airlines
- More St Helena Airport news
Cost of Flights to St Helena
Prices for return flights to St Helena Island from South Africa were first announced on 30 August, 2017, as part of the St Helena Government (SHG) Executive Council’s report.
In the report the Council “considered the Airlink fares” which ranged from £804 – £1,544 for a (Johannesburg) return flight, or £846 – £1,586 (Cape Town), which included a refuelling stop in Windhoek, Namibia.
The scheduled air service launched on Saturday 14 October, 2017.
Dropping The Original Cape Town Flight
The Cape Town option was suspended soon after the air service began, when Namibia denied SA Airlink the Fifth Freedom Rights required for passengers to change aircraft in Windhoek.
Flying From Johannesburg
OR Tambo International Airport, Johannesburg is therefore the only connecting hub for flights to St Helena Airport.
Ticket prices in October 2017, as announced by ExCo, SHG, (see above) ranged from £804 – £1,544 for a Johannesburg return. This breaks down further as:
Business Class £1,544
Upper Economy £1,244
Lower Economy £ 804
Note: all prices above quoted in British pounds sterling.
It should be noted actual fares will vary depending on the booking agent or online quote source, as is normal for air travel elsewhere.
We have found some of the best prices for flights to St Helena by searching on Expedia.
Refuelling Stop in Namibia Changed to Walvis Bay
The flight from Johannesburg to St Helena, does a technical stop in Namibia, otherwise known as a refuelling stop.
The return flight from St Helena to Johannesburg is non-stop, it does not refuel in Namibia on the way back.
Windhoek, Namibia, was the refuelling stop since the air service began, but from March 2019 the technical refuelling stop switched to Walvis Bay, Namibia. Click Here for official SA Airlink press release.
Departure/arrival times for passengers remains that same in both Johannesburg and St Helena.
Passengers cannot begin or end their journey during the refuelling stop. See Cost Of Flights above.
Flight Times to HLE Airport
Departures/arrivals as announced – note all times are Universal Time Clock (UTC):
The St Helena Airport code is, HLE. There is only one scheduled flight a week to St Helena Island Airport from Johannesburg, this takes place on Saturdays.
Johannesburg (JNB) to Walvis Bay (WVB): 07:00-09:00
Walvis Bay (WVB) to St Helena (HLE): 09:45 – 13:15
Return leg:
St Helena (HLE) to Johannesburg (JNB): 14:30 – 20:55
Flights to Ascension Island from St Helena
On the second Saturday of each month the schedule changes slightly to accommodate Ascension Island flights, with the return leg taking place on the Sunday:
Note, all times are Universal Time Clock (UTC).
Saturday (second Saturday of the month only)
Johannesburg (JNB) to Walvis Bay (WVB): 07:00-09:00
Walvis Bay (WVB) to St Helena (HLE): 09:45 – 13:15
St Helena (HLE) to Ascension (ASI): 14:30 – 16:30
The aircraft will stay overnight at the Ascension Island airport before returning the next day.
Return leg:
Sunday
Ascension (ASI) to St Helena (HLE): 11:15 – 13:15
St Helena (HLE) to Johannesburg (JNB): 14:30 – 20:55
Additional Flights: 4 Dec 2018 – 23 April 2019
In response to seasonal demand, an additional 19 flights to St Helena Island took place between 4 December, 2018 and 23 April, 2019. This meant two flights a week during those months.
The additional flights operated on Tuesdays.
The normal Saturday schedule was unaffected.
Additional Flights: Dec 2019 – March 2020 (includes Cape Town)
St Helena Airport update – The extra mid-week flights have been arranged again between 3 December, 2019 and 31 March, 2020. Booking systems are now loaded with these new dates.
(Note the extension runs to March, not May 2020 as originally advertised.)
The Cape Town Dates
The additional flights will once again take place on Tuesdays, but with a significant change to originating airport.
From 3 December, 2019 – 11 February, 2020, inclusive, the Tuesday mid-week flight only will operate from Cape Town International Airport. (Saturday flights will continue to operate from OR Tambo International Airport, Johannesburg.)
On 18 February, 2020, through to 31 March, 2020, the mid-week flight reverts to operating from OR Tambo International Airport.
Two Extra Ascension Island Flights
Additional flights to Ascension Island have also been scheduled, one in December 2019 and one in January 2020.
Baggage Allowance
Economy class, 20kg checked (or hold baggage) plus 1 carry-on piece and slimline laptop bag, each up to 8kg.
Business class, 30kg checked plus 2 carry-on pieces and a slimline laptop bag, each up to 8kg.
Ticket Prices for Flights to St Helena have been announced after SA Airlink completed a successful proving flight to the island on 21 August, 2017 (pictured) with an Embraer E190. This aircraft type will be used to fly to St Helena by SA Airlink. Photo by Nick Stevens
The SA Airlink Embraer E190 aircraft is used for the St Helena air service. It flies from Johannesburg, refuelling at Windhoek, Namibia. The return flight to Johannesburg is non-stop.
How to Purchase St Helena Flight Tickets
Booking from Rest of the World
Tickets are available online via the Airlink website and through normal IATA global distribution systems.
We have found some of the best prices for flights to St Helena by searching on Expedia.
Booking on St Helena Island
For passengers living in St Helena, ticket bookings can be made via Solomon & Company (St Helena) Plc’s Shipping & Travel Agency at the Malabar in Jamestown. Passengers/customers can visit the Shipping & Travel Agency in person or can contact shipping.manager@solomons.co.sh or telephone +(290) 22523.
Booking on Ascension Island
Bookings can only be made with the Ascension Island Travel Agency. Contact them via email: flight.bookings@ascension.gov.ac or tel: +247 66500.
98 Passengers, Embraer E190 Full Capacity
Although the aircraft, the Embraer E190, has capacity for 98 passengers, at the start of the air service in October 2017, flights initially limited maximum passenger numbers to 76, made up of 70 Economy and 6 Business Class seats. The reduced numbers gave pilots the option of a tailwind landing at St Helena if weather conditions were problematic.
Capacity was increased at some point over the first 18 months of operations, to 87 passengers.
From 7 April, 2019, the flight will be able to operate at full capacity of 98 passengers, which includes 6 business class seats. This has been made possible by the change of technical refuelling stop airport in Namibia, from Windhoek (5600ft above sea level) to Walvis Bay at 300ft.
Note: We have confirmed with Airlink that 98 is the max passenger capacity of the Embraer E190 flying to St Helena (March 2019). Other E190s flying other routes by other airlines might be configured differently.
Click Here for the official press release from SA Airlink.
St Helena Airport Wind Shear
The St Helena Airport wind shear made world headlines in April 2016 after the first commercial jet plane to fly there, a British Airways Boeing 737-800 operated by Comair, struggled to land on its maiden test flight.
There were to be no more Comair flights to St Helena. The airport opening was delayed for a year and a half while experts tried to come up with a solution.
In December, 2016, Brazilian aviation company, Embraer, demonstrated the superior handling of their E190 aircraft in the airport’s strong wind conditions.
South African airline, SA Airlink then won the bid for a new air service contract, using their newly acquired Embraer E190s. As mentioned earlier, St Helena’s first scheduled air service then started on 14 October, 2017.
St Helena’s Airport is designated a Category C Airport, which means specialist, Category C certified pilots are required to fly the scheduled service.
Weather Delays & Flight Cancellations
In the first full year of St Helena’s airport operations, SHG reported 14 of the 104 scheduled flights had experienced “delays due to unfavourable weather.” This refers to occasions when flights were postponed or delayed by a day or longer. Every postponement has involved the flight remaining in Johannesburg due to weather conditions in St Helena making a landing unsafe.
There were one, two, three, five and even a nine-day delay within the first year of operation.
Moving into the second year of operations, a six-day delay which occurred on 17-23 November, 2018, when the island was battered by high winds, shows disruptions are not restricted to the traditional wet, winter months. On 5 March, 2019 low cloud cover over St Helena forced a mid-week flight to turn back to South Africa and a subsequent four-day delay.
Don’t Get Caught Out – Do Your Research
The delays have been a major topic of conversation across the island and on social media, as they affect everyone pretty much. If not directly as passengers, then via the impact on family and friends and on-island businesses.
The editor of the St Helena Independent, Vince Thompson, was one of those affected by the six-day delay in November 2018. Click here to read his report in the Independent of the experience.
For anyone planning a trip to St Helena it is worth bearing in mind that delays could happen at any time and to be prepared. Click Here to read the SA Airlink advice regarding weather delays.
Flying on the SA Airlink Embraer and Landing at St Helena
Although we’ve not yet flown on the St Helena air service, we’ve yet to meet anyone who reports anything other than the actual flight being an enjoyable experience.
Everyone it seems is impressed by the crew on board and the comfortable aircraft and flight.
The other big question for anyone disembarking at St Helena is, “how was the landing?”
Of course, this stems from the wind shear issue identified in 2016. But again, no drama – it seems as though landing at St Helena has been no different than anywhere else, with many people reporting this stage of their journey being the smoothest.
Tracking the Flight In Real Time
A useful, free online tool for tracking the flights to St Helena Island, both in and out, is the flight radar website.
Enter the flight number in the search box to view the aircraft’s position and progress.
Flight Numbers
The flight numbers are SA8131 outbound, ie leaving Johannesburg, and SA8132 inbound, ie returning to Jo’burg.
Keep in mind the information is not displayed until the flight is active, ie having taken off.
Atlantic Star Airlines Update
Atlantic Star Airlines led by Captain Richard Brown, are well-known on the island after their test flight to St Helena in October 2016 and hopes of introducing a direct service from the UK.
At the end of December 2018, Richard supplied an update on Atlantic Star Airlines.
“Our situation is that we continue to watch the market and developments on the island carefully, but we don’t see UK originating charter flights as an investable proposition in the current climate,” said Richard.
“We are in contact with a number of tourism stakeholders and are convinced that the long term future for St Helena has to have a London link.
“When we are ready to make a move we will do so, but it won’t be in 2019.”
More St Helena Airport news
For the latest St Helena Airport News please visit the St Helena Airport website.
Ticket Price for Flights to St Helena – The travel times will change dramatically, but it will still be the local people who will set the pace for life on St Helena. Meet the Saints, the people of St Helena.
Planning Your Time On St Helena
We hope this information has been useful. If you are travelling to St Helena anytime soon you may be interested in ideas for how to make the most of your visit.
Inside St Helena
You can download the brand new (2019) FREE App, Inside St Helena, straight to your phone, which puts details for tour operators, restaurants and hotels right at your fingertips. The App allows users to contact tourist service providers directly by phone, email and websites. Go to Google Play and search for Inside St Helena, or click the link.
Click Here for our blog post list of things to do on St Helena.
Looking for contacts in St Helena
My family name was Francis, there is hopefully still some family out there but due to the loss of my mother Heather and her sister Rita and brothers Charlie, William, Fred we now have a task to find out routes back to the Island, if there is anyone that we could make contact with it would be great as my cousins and I would like to stay in touch.
Grandfather was Frederick Francis who was married to Daisy,
Thank you
Mike
good day
looking for my family in st helena – the johnsons
where do i start and what can i do.
Hi ,W have been thinking about coming as tourists but the flight ticket prices are huge from South Africa…I recently paid Less for my daughter on Virgin Atlantic return flight tickets Jhburg/Heathrow/San Fransciso/Seattle at nearly 40% less price than from Jhburg/St.Helena reTurn….come on guys, please review your air-ticket prices…
Anyone know where I can purchase some St.Helena roasted coffee beans in South Africa to try out at home…? …since I wont be affording and airticket to visit your lovely Island..pensioner…
That’s astronomical! Apologies for the capitals, but that’s what I get when I type into the box.
Thanks Ken
What is the difference between the UPPER AND LOWER ECONOMY FARES?
To be honest, we don’t know! Sorry. We would like to know as well. Will update the article when that information is released.
Thanks for commenting Claus.
Flight prices are very expensive for local saints on local wages.
Seems geared for tourists and government employees on generous contracts.
It’s definitely a lot more than what was promised throughout the previous 10 years, Lisa.
Can only hope fares may improve a bit once the service finds its feet. Thanks for the comment.
Did i miss info on accommodation?
Not on our blog Antoinette, we’ve not featured accommodation yet. Cheers
Fingers are still crossed for even cheaper prices to fly to Windhoek. Don’t forget Namibia as a holiday and shopping destination; safer and friendlier than SA:) Plus, Shavone and I will be opening our home up in swakopmund as a holiday home for all interested travelling saints- focusing on the positive and what we can change/control:)
Good luck with your holiday home venture Annina, thanks for the comment. 🙂
WELL WEll,well Sold down the River again!! Prices my friend take it or-take A JUMP, HEY!no COMPETITION So….,?
Thanks for the feedback Peter. There are plenty of people who share your disappointment. There was so much hope when the comair prices last year were going to be starting under £600.
If only…
Thanks for the summary Darrin. I was also a bit surprised by the prices (and the wide range of prices – how do I get the cheaper ones?!) I would like to go next year some time so now I need to check on things like accommodation, getting around, planning walks, checking out wildlife (e.g. guided visits to see wirebirds?). There will be so much to look forward to!
Check out our post about things to do Chris.
https://whatthesaintsdidnext.com/2016/01/26/10-awesome-things-to-do-on-st-helena-in-a-week/
Hopefully the prices may come down a bit as the service develops and the passenger capacity increases. Will be interesting to see how many of the cheaper seats there are available per flight.
Thanks for the comment.
Hi Darrin – I’ve been following the airport saga for a couple of years and been planning my amateur radio trip for that long also (www.sthelenadx.com). The prices are a bit higher than I would have hoped and mean a trip from the UK costs double the price it would have been compared to Atlantic Star Airlines tickets last year – but it seems not to be much different to the boat+flight from the UK.
I hope to get on the first flight on the 14th October and am rather nervously waiting for the announcement regarding actually buying tickets.
I also hope flights are a great success!
Thanks for the comment Bill. The price is difficult to hear especially after the Comair price last year was starting under £600 for a return ticket. I’m a bit worried the breakdown of seats per lower fare isn’t known still, so hoping for the best. Nervous, like you!