South African Airways (SAA), in partnership with Discovery, will this week officially unveil its newly refurbished domestic departures lounge at Cape Town International Airport.
The lounge was closed in early March and due to open at the end of July.
However, after a few weeks’ delay, the state-of-the-art facility opens to travellers on Friday, 22 August, and follows the recent revamps of SAA lounges at OR Tambo International (international departures) and Chief Dawid Stuurman International Airport (domestic departures) in Gqeberha.
According to Discovery, the lounge underwent extensive renovations, increasing its capacity and introducing a host of luxury amenities to meet the needs of both business and leisure travellers.
Premium Features at a Glance:
- Copper-clad concierge desks for a warm, personalised welcome
- Mixology show-bar staffed by expert baristas and bartenders
- Buffet-style dining with gourmet breakfasts, all-day meals, and curated canapés
- Private focus booths for working, calls, or entertainment
- Collaborative workspaces and diverse seating areas
- Universal charging ports and high-speed WiFi throughout the lounge
Rebuilding Trust, Enhancing Travel
SAA CEO John Lamola says the partnership with Discovery is aligned with the airline’s renewed focus on passenger-centric service, part of its broader strategy to recapture customer confidence and rebuild the brand.
“We are placing our passengers at the centre of the flying experience,” Lamola said.
After emerging from business rescue in 2021, SAA has embarked on a steady turnaround, expanding its routes, improving service levels, and enhancing its fleet.
Despite its turbulent history, SAA continues to earn accolades, recently ranking 67th in the 2025 Skytrax global airline rankings – a continued climb from 69th in 2024.
The airline also retained its title for Best Airline Staff in South Africa.
Meanwhile, Cape Town International Airport was also a standout performer, scooping three Skytrax awards in 2025:
- Best Airport in Africa
- Best Airport Staff Service in Africa
- Cleanest Airport in Africa
New lounge pictures
Do you head for a lounge when waiting for a flight or wait at the departure gate?
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