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Lift airline to launch two domestic routes on 10 December 2020.

Lift aircraft tail

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Lift Flights

The latest offering in the domestic market, Lift, is quite literally ready for takeof! Their first flights between Cape Town - Johannesburg took off on 10 December 2020.

Founded by Gidon Novick and Jonathan Ayache, the airline is ready to break the mould. They want to introduce some of the latest technology and customer-centered service to the travel market. From what we've heard, they certainly aren't your average low-cost carrier!

News:

  • 31 October 2023: Lift is bringing the pre-festive fun this year! On 20 October 2023 they unveiled their Disney-themed new livery on a promotional airplane that will service the Cape Town - Johannesburg - Durban routes. In collaboration with the Disney streaming service, guests with children will receive an activity pack on board during the busy holiday season.

    If you're not lucky enough to spot the Disney plane or don't have little ones to benefit, the silent disco flight might be more up your alley! On 16 October 2023 they hosted their first with Freshly Ground's Zolani Mahola giving a live performance that guests could tune in to via headphones provided during their Cape Town - Johannesburg flights.

    Both of these sound like great ways to kick the pre-festive season off as you mean to go on!

  • 10 November 2022: The airline is launching flights between Cape Town and Durban from 25 November 2022. They will operate the route daily. Tickets are already on sale.

  • 3 October 2022: The airline announced last week that they will be launching flights between Johannesburg and Durban on 26 October 2022. They will operate this route three times a day and also increase their frequency on their Cape Town - Johannesburg route to 14 times a day. The airline said that this marks the start of their expansion phase with the addition of four new aircraft that they can scale accordingly. They also plan on adding flights between Cape Town and Durban later this year. Tickets for the new Johannesburg - Durban route are already on sale.

  • 28 July 2021: LIFT is resuming operations on their Cape Town - Johannesburg route on 1 August 2021. This follows a move down to lockdown level 3 on the 26th of July 2021. Currently there are no domestic travel restrictions.

  • 5 July 2021: LIFT airlines has cancelled all flights between 5 - 31 July 2021 in reaction to the leisure travel ban on Johannesburg. The airline has said that their flexible demand-driven model allows them to make adjustments as necessary.

  • 11 May 2021: LIFT airline has partnered with Hahn Air, allowing the airline to be available on travel agent's Global Distribution System (GDS). This means that LIFT airlines can now be booked on South Africa Travel Online.

  • 19 January 2021: Although the airline initially introduced flights between Cape Town - Johannesburg and planned on adding flights between Johannesburg - George, they have already had to scale back. Due to lockdown restrictions closing the Garden Route beaches early in December, demand for Lift's George route has significantly decreased. The airline chose to abandon the route for now, saying that they are always flexible and hope to re-introduce the route in April 2021. So Johannesburg - George flights will now be operated seasonally.

Routes

  • OR Tambo - Cape Town
  • OR Tambo - George

Baggage

Hand Luggage

Up to 7kg (56cm x 36cm x 23cm) of hand luggage is included in flights

Checked Luggage

No free checked luggage is included.

  • R100 buys you 1x checked bag of 23kg (90cm x 75cm x 43cm) one-way.
  • R250 buys you 2 x checked bags of 23kg (90cm x 75cm x 43cm) each one-way.
  • R450 buys you 3 x checked bags of 23kg (90cm x 75cm x 43cm) each one-way.

Sports Equipment, Musical Instruments & Travelling With Other Items

  • Bikes - Have to be checked in and packaged in a protective hard case
  • Musical Instruments - Small instruments are allowed onboard, medium sized instruments have to be left at the gate and large instruments must be checked-in.
  • Sports Equipment - Traveller has to purchse a Checked baggage piece.
  • Oxygen Tanks, Generators and Concentrators - No oxygen is allowed unless prior arrangement has been made.
  • Medicine - You can bring anything on board, but no sharp ojects are allowed. Snacks are sold on board.
  • Guns, Cross Bows, Swords & Knives - No weapons are allowed onboard, but special arrangements could possibly be made.

Fleet

Their small fleet is likely supplied by Global Aviation.

Aircraft

In Service

Airbus A320

3

In-flight Food

Vida e Cafe will provide caffeinated drinks on early morning flights and light snacks will be served on board. Afternoon flights will feature a selection of wines available for a wine tasting. Whether this will happend during COVID we don't yet know.

Flexible Changes

The airline plans to differentiate themselves by being more flexible than most other airlines.

“Many travellers are seeking value when they book a flight. They want the freedom to change or cancel their flights should circumstances change. So, instead of cutting the prices, despite our prices remaining competitive, we are offering this added value service to our passengers,” co-founder Gidon Novick explained.

Founders & Operations

Lift is operated by Global Aviation Operations (Pty) LTD and will utilise three of their Airbus A320 aircraft. The airline is a collaboration between OR Tambo-based airline Global Aviation, kulula founder Gidon Novick and ex Uber executive Jonathan Ayache.

Global Aviation has 20 years of experience operating large jet aircraft and is a fully licensed operator with a comprehensive maintenance operation.

What Is In a Name

The airline held a naming competition which resulted in over 25 000 names suggested! Eight creatives had to weigh and consider each option before settling on the name Lift.

What Sets Lift Apart From Other Low Cost Competitors

Ready to shake up South Africa's low-cost market and likely motivated by the recent reduction in airlines operating domestic routes, they are launching with a bang!

  • Ground and cabin crew won't have stiff uniforms, but will be dressed in the latest fashions by Superbalist.
  • Passengers won't be left high-and-dry. Morning guests will get proper coffee and they have wine-tastings planned for afternoon flights.
  • They're still in the start-up phase - introducing new routes frequently and adding new features often!

Classes

As a low-cost airline, they only offer Economy Class flights without checked luggage. They do offer other premium services like free changes, free seat selections and drinks.

Reservations for Lift in South Africa

Reservations can be made on www.lift.co.za and help can be requested at support@lift.co.za.



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