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SANSA Airlines, also known simply as SANSA, is a Costa Rican airline that offers passenger flights. The airline is based at Juan Santamaría International Airport (SJO) and offers flights throughout Costa Rica, as well as to Nicaragua. Altogether, the airline flies to more than 15 destinations.
SANSA launched in 1978 and flew its first flight in the same year. The airline was the domestic subsidiary of LACSA, which was the previous name for the national airline of Costa Rica, Avianca Costa Rica, before the Avianca/TACA merger in 2013. The airline was created so that LACSA could focus on international flights in and out of Costa Rica, while SANSA focussed on domestic flights within the country. Upon launch, SANSA took on all of LACSA's domestic route network. Avianca kept SANSA as the subsidiary of Avianca Costa Rica when Taca and Avianca merged. However, in 2019, Avianca sold its shares in SANSA and detached itself from the airline.
The carrier prides itself in being one of the leading domestic airlines within Costa Rica and boasts the best on-time performance of all domestic carriers within the country. On top of this, SANSA is carbon-neutral and one of the only zero-emissions airlines in the world, making it a great choice if you're looking for an eco-friendly airline to travel within Costa Rica with.
Baggage Policy
Sansa has a different baggage policy for carry and checked baggage. On Sansa flights you're allowed to bring 1 free personal item free of charge.
Carry-on Baggage
Passengers may bring one free item of carry-on baggage with a maximum weight of 4.5 kg. This baggage must not exceed the linear dimensions 20" (50 cm) (l + h + w).
As well as this item of carry-on baggage, passengers may bring a small personal item on board with them, free of charge. This item can either be a purse, handbag, book, coat, blanket, camera, binoculars, laptop or any other item of a similar size and weight.
Checked Baggage
Passengers may bring one free item of checked baggage with a maximum weight of 14 kg. This baggage must not exceed the linear dimensions of 45" (114 cm) (l + h + w).
It's important to note:
- If there is no room in the cabin of the aircraft, passengers may be asked to put their carry-on baggage in the hold
- If any baggage weighs more than the baggage allowances stated above, an excess baggage fee will be charged per kg
Cabin Classes
Sansa Airlines only has 1 cabin class at this moment in time - Economy Class. Enjoy a comfortable and relaxing journey with Sansa's Economy Cabin.
Economy Class
Economy Class is the only cabin class that SANSA flies with. The Economy Cabin is small but offers comfort and cleanliness. The airline's expertly trained pilot and cabin crew will ensure that all passengers reach their destination safely and happily.
Economy Class Facilities
The cabin is fitted with air-conditioning units and leather seats.
Economy Class Seats
Seats are set out in either a 1 x 1 or 1 x 2 formation.
In-flight Entertainment & WIFI
The airline doesn't have an inbuilt in-flight entertainment system or WIFI network on any of its aircraft.
Food & Drink
Due to its short flight times, SANSA doesn't serve passengers food or drink once in-flight. However, passengers are welcome to bring their own food and drink onto the flight, providing it passes security screening at the airport.
Check-In
Online check-in is currently not available for Sansa Airlines flights, however, you can check in at the airport.
Online Check-in
Online check-in isn't available for this airline.
Airport Check-in
Passengers must check-in at the airport for this airline. This can be done by presenting the relevant travel documents (e-ticket and ID/passport) to a member of check-in staff at the airline check-in desk at the airport departure. SANSA doesn't give any check-in deadlines. However, for domestic flights, we recommend arriving at least 90 minutes before flight departure time and for international flights, we recommend arriving at least 120 minutes before flight departure time.
Frequent Flyer Programme
SANSA Airlines doesn't have a frequent flyer program that rewards its passengers for regularly flying with the airline at this time. Previously, the airline had a frequent flyer program, named Distancia, which would reward passengers with points every time that they flew with the airline. Passengers could then use these points to purchase future flights on the airline.
Airline Alliance
The airline currently doesn't have an airline alliance.
Destinations that Sansa flies to
SANSA flies to 15 destinations within Costa Rica, including San José, Puerto Jiménez, Liberia, Palma Sur, Bahiá Drake, Golfito, as well as to Costa Esmeralda - Nicaragua. Click below to see all the cities and airports that it flies to.
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Hub Airport
Juan Santamaría International Airport
Juan Sanatamaría International Airport (SJO) is an airport in San José and is the main international airport in Costa Rica, as well as the hub airport for SANSA Airlines. SANSA Airlines has been based at Juan Sanatamaría International since it began flying in 1978. The airport has two terminal buildings and one runway. SANSA operates from the airline's domestic terminal the majority of the time but also has some flights from its international terminal.
Juan Santamaría International is also the hub for Avianca Costa Rica and Volaris Costa Rica. Other airlines that fly to/from the airport include Air Panama, British Airways, Condor, Edelweiss Air, Interjet, Southwest, Spirit, Westjet, Wingo and more.
Fleet
As of Januaru 2021, SANSA has a fleet made up 12 aircraft, all manufactured by Cessna. It uses both the Cessna 208B Grand Caravan and Cessna 208B Grand Caravan EX.
In the past, the airline has used aircraft from Douglas, CASA and ATR.