Is a 1½ hr layover in Johannesburg long enough?

JNB · Johannesburg International · Johannesburg, South Africa
Probably Enough

Yes, 1½ hours is probably enough for a layover at JNB (Johannesburg).

Sufficient for international-international connections including immigration and re-screening under normal conditions.
Concourses
3
Max Transit
20m
Avg. Security
20m
Primary Hub
South African Airways
Domestic → Domestic
45min
Domestic → International
60min
International → Domestic
75min
International → International
90min
tight
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Budget extra time if arriving internationally, as immigration queues can be long and unpredictable, particularly for flights from Europe and the Middle East arriving in clusters.
Domestic-to-domestic transfers are the smoothest connection type at JNB, often not requiring you to leave secure areas.
If your connection involves switching between Terminal A and Terminal B, follow signage carefully as the walkway route through the Central Terminal Building is not always intuitive.
South African Airways and Airlink passengers connecting on the same ticket usually have baggage transferred automatically, but always confirm at check-in.
Avoid tight connections around 6-9am and 5-8pm when both domestic and international banks overlap and queues peak.
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Low risk
Moderate
High risk
Tight connections are safer outside peak hours. Morning rush (6–9a), midday (11a–2p), and evening (4–8p) are highest risk.
Terminal A and Terminal B are connected via the Central Terminal Building by an indoor walkway with moving walkways in sections, taking roughly 10-15 minutes at a normal pace. Passengers transferring from international to domestic (or vice versa) must clear immigration/customs and pass through security screening again, which is where most delays occur rather than the physical walk itself.
Is 1½ hours enough for a layover at Johannesburg International (JNB)?

Sufficient for international-international connections including immigration and re-screening under normal conditions.

What is the minimum connection time at JNB?

Minimum connection times at Johannesburg International: Domestic-to-Domestic is 45 minutes, International-to-International is 90 minutes. These are the shortest layovers airlines will sell.

Can I make a 1½ hours connection at JNB on an international flight?

1½ hours clears the 90-minute international minimum connection time at Johannesburg International, but you should still head directly to your gate. Terminal A and Terminal B are connected via the Central Terminal Building by an indoor walkway with moving walkways in sections, taking roughly 10-15 minutes at a normal pace. Passengers transferring from international to domestic (or vice versa) must clear immigration/customs and pass through security screening again, which is where most delays occur rather than the physical walk itself.

How much time do I need for a layover at JNB?

We recommend at least 1 hour 15 min for a comfortable connection at Johannesburg International. This gives you enough buffer for security (typically 20 minutes) and transit between terminals (up to 20 minutes).

What happens if I miss my connection at JNB?

If you miss a connection, head to your airline's transfer desk or ticketing counter in the relevant terminal (Domestic in Terminal A, International in Terminal B) as South African Airways and partner carriers typically rebook passengers on the next available flight, though options can be limited outside peak banks.

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