RFI for onboard kids pack solutions – south african airways

RFI closing date: 16 September 2026 at 16h00 (GMT+2). All questions must be sent by e-mail to [email protected] and [email protected] by no later than 14 September 2026.

Responses to this RFI are non-binding and for information purposes only. No award will be made following the RFI process; however, the subsequent request for bid (RFP) may be restricted to those who responded to the RFI. All submissions must be e-mailed to [email protected]. All questions must be sent by e-mail to [email protected] and [email protected] by no later than 14 September 2026. The RFI closing date is 16 September 2026 at 16h00 (GMT+2). Responses must be in English. Prices must be stated in South African Rand (ZAR), excluding and including VAT as applicable. Respondents should indicate which review materials they can provide, including product images, digital mock-ups, technical drawings, physical samples, component samples, prototype packs or existing catalogue samples. Any sample submission arrangements, costs and return requirements will be confirmed by SAA. Samples, brochures and documentation submitted will be returned only on request. All costs associated with preparation, presentation and demonstration will be for the account of the vendor. All supporting documentation and manuals submitted in response to this request for information will become the Company’s property unless otherwise stated by the vendor at the time of submission. The information obtained through this request for information will be regarded as confidential; however, South African Airways (SOC) Ltd does not accept liability for any information which may become public. South African Airways (SOC) Ltd may, at any time prior to the deadline for lodging request for information, amend the documents or extend the time for lodging documents by notice in writing to the prospective Vendors. Any amendments under this clause will become part of the request for information. South African Airways (SOC) Ltd further reserves the right to contact individual Vendors to obtain further information should this be deemed necessary. This RFI is for market intelligence, solution discovery, feasibility assessment, indicative costing and procurement planning. It is not a request for quotation, invitation to tender, offer, purchase order or commitment by SAA. Responses may be used to pre-screen potential bidders for the RFP process.

Evaluation criteria (draft): Safety evidence and build quality (Pass/fail + 20); Age appropriateness (15); Engagement and replay value (15); Edutainment/content quality (10); Aircraft usability (10); Inclusion and African relevance (10); Sustainability (10); Operational practicality (5); Perceived value/appeal (5).

Scope: SAA invites information from experienced designers, manufacturers, content developers, pack assemblers, distributors, licensed brand representatives and integrated solution providers for the design, development, production and supply of children's onboard edutainment packs. Core users: ticketed children aged 3–12 on eligible SAA-operated services, subject to final route, cabin and eligibility rules. Recommended age architecture: 3–5 years (simple creative and tactile play); 6–8 years (puzzles, discovery and guided learning); 9–12 years (more mature travel, aviation, STEM, logic and creative challenges). Optional: an infant/toddler comfort item for ages 0–2, designed and certified specifically for that age group rather than a conventional multi-component activity pack. The base solution should be quiet, low-mess, lightweight, portable, easy to pause and repack, screen-free and battery-free. Any digital enhancement must be optional and separately identified. The solution may be introduced initially on long-haul services, with regional or tiered variants proposed where commercially and operationally viable. Proposed design principles: Quiet by design; no whistles, speakers, alarms, projectiles or disruptive activities. Seat-space appropriate, with minimal loose pieces and no sharp edges. Low mess; avoid glitter, slime, wet paint, loose powder, permanent markers, strong fragrance and difficult-to-remove adhesive. Layered engagement: quick wins, medium-length activities and at least one deeper challenge. Screen-free first; digital links may enrich but must not be essential. Take-home value and a useful second life for the bag or hero item. Dignified by age, with visual language and challenge level maturing across age bands. Collectible rather than disposable, potentially using African destinations, wildlife, aviation, science, sport, arts or future-careers themes. Caregiver-light activities, with optional co-play for family connection. Minimum solution requirements: Multiple age-relevant activities with sufficient engagement value; solutions should not rely on a single short-use giveaway. Inclusive, gender-neutral and culturally respectful design representing African warmth and SAA's global reach without stereotypes. Clear visual instructions and consideration of differing languages, literacy levels and abilities, including high contrast and left/right-handed usability. Durable, lightweight, compact and suitable for aircraft storage, handling, cleaning expectations and cabin distribution. No sharp edges, hazardous cords, liquids, messy materials, disruptive sound, unsecured magnets or inappropriate small parts. Age grading and warnings must be clear. Applicable product-safety, chemical, flammability, labelling and testing evidence; component traceability, quality controls and recall capability. Sustainable and recyclable or reusable materials where feasible, with minimal single-use plastic and no misleading environmental claims. All artwork, stories, characters and partner content must have demonstrable intellectual-property rights and be subject to SAA approval. Ability to provide samples, mock-ups or prototypes and to support artwork, production, assembly, packaging, delivery and periodic refreshes.

1.1 Background

South African Airways (SAA) is exploring the introduction of contemporary onboard kids’

packs for young travelers, particularly on longer services. The absence of a current children’s

pack presents both a guest-experience gap and an opportunity to create a distinctive family-

travel touchpoint aligned to SAA’s premium service and four-star ambition.

The proposed solution should complement children’s meals, cabin crew service and in-flight

entertainment by providing quiet, low-mess, screen-free edutainment that supports learning,

curiosity, cultural connection and positive memories of the journey.

should translate these qualities into an age-appropriate, inclusive, culturally respectful and

operationally practical experience.

South African Airways (SOC) Ltd is a registered South African Company that over the decades

has evolved into one of the leading carriers in Africa.

Indicative commercial response: All pricing is non-binding for RFI purposes and must be clearly qualified. Provide ZAR and original currency, exclusive and inclusive of VAT as applicable. Separate once-off and recurring costs. Do not conceal mandatory costs in notes. Cost elements include: Development (research, concept, user testing, writing, illustration, translation, artwork and project management); Tooling/setup (dielines, moulds, print setup, samples, color standards and pre-production approvals); Compliance (laboratory tests, certifications, inspections, audit and verification); Unit product (per pack by age band, tier, volume break and refresh/design); Packaging/logistics (inner/outer cartons, pallets, freight, insurance, customs/duty, clearing and delivery); IP/licensing (buyout/license/royalty and renewal costs); Implementation (training, launch support, reporting, stock integration and pilot support); Optional services (warehousing, vendor-managed inventory, emergency airfreight, recycling/take-back). Cost scenarios requested: Volume breaks: 10,000; 25,000; 50,000; 100,000 and 250,000 packs annually, or supplier recommended thresholds.

Compliance approach: The successful solution will be required to comply with all laws and mandatory standards applicable in South Africa, the country of manufacture, countries of distribution and transit, and any requirements reasonably specified by SAA. Respondents must identify the precise legal and standards framework applicable to each component. References below are a minimum due-diligence starting point, not legal advice or an exhaustive list. Areas include: Toy/product safety (current independent laboratory reports against applicable age-and product-specific requirements. Recognized benchmarks may include ISO 8124, EN 71 and/or ASTM F963 where relevant); Chemical safety (restricted-substance declaration and test evidence for inks, coatings, substrates, adhesives, plastics, textiles and stuffing; include lead/heavy metals, phthalates and other applicable substances); Mechanical/physical (small-parts, torque/tension, sharp point/edge, seam, cord/loop, impact/drop, flammability and abuse testing as applicable); Age grading (formal age-grade rationale for pack and every component, based on hazards, abilities, interests and foreseeable use); Aviation/dangerous goods (full material/component declaration. Battery-powered items are excluded from the base solution; any proposed battery/magnet/electronic item requires prior written approval and applicable dangerous-goods assessment); Hygiene (manufacturing hygiene, pest control, foreign-object prevention, moisture/mould control and sealed-pack integrity); Traceability (manufacturer, site, component supplier, batch/lot and production date traceability down to finished pack); Quality system (quality certifications, inspection plans, AQL proposal, non-conformance controls, change control and audit access); Recall readiness (documented stop-ship, quarantine, notification, root-cause, recall and disposal process with named responsible contacts); Insurance (product liability and recall insurance details, limits, territories and exclusions).

Critical prohibitions / high-risk features: Components that are or become choking hazards for the stated age group. Exposed staples, pins, brittle plastics, glass, sharp tools, long cords, accessible filling or detachable fasteners. Button/coin cells, loose batteries, lasers, heating elements, motors, sound modules or wireless transmitters unless separately approved after specialist review. Strong magnets or magnetic construction sets; magnets may pose ingestion and aircraft-equipment concerns. Latex balloons, water beads, slime, kinetic sand, glitter, solvent-based pens, permanent ink or aerosol products. Flammable, toxic, sensitizing, strongly fragranced or allergenic materials without disclosure and acceptance.

reusable/recyclable share and waste

per issued pack

Brand and intellectual property: SAA will provide approved brand assets at the appropriate stage. Ownership model: State whether SAA will own bespoke concepts, copy, illustrations, characters, dielines and production-ready files, or receive a perpetual license; price each option. Third-party IP: List every licensed character, font, image, software, activity or content element, territory, term, media and royalty. Creator rights: Confirm contracts allow the proposed use and identify moral-rights, attribution or approval requirements. Source files: Confirm editable files, color specifications, fonts/licenses, translations and final artwork will be handed over. Counterfeit control: Describe authentication, approved factories, overruns/destruction and brand-protection controls.

Information required from respondents: Company profile, relevant experience, client references and role in the proposed supply chain. Proposed option(s), concept rationale, age bands, pack contents, materials, dimensions, weight and expected engagement value. Branding/customisation approach, available partnerships or licences, ownership and usage rights,and refresh capability. Safety standards, independent test reports/certificates, warnings, traceability, quality assurance and recall procedures. Manufacturing and assembly locations, production capacity, minimum order quantities, tooling requirements, lead times and contingency arrangements. Packaging, warehousing, delivery, stock rotation and replenishment approach, including shelf-life where applicable. Indicative pricing in South African Rand excluding and including VAT, with volume breaks and separate once-off and recurring costs. Sample availability and cost, together with assumptions, dependencies, exclusions and risks. Recommended pilot approach and suggested measures of success, such as uptake, child/parent feedback, crew feedback, defects and wastage.

RFI closing date & time: Date: 16 September 2026, Time: 16h00 (GMT+2). All submissions to be e-mailed to: [email protected]. All questions must be sent by e-mail to [email protected] and [email protected] by no later than 14 September 2026. Note: No award will be made following the RFI process; however, the subsequent request for bid (RFP) may be restricted to those who responded to the RFI.