Air Austral
A French scheduled airline based on Réunion, operating long-haul links to metropolitan France alongside an extensive regional network across the Indian Ocean.
About Air Austral
Air Austral is a French scheduled airline headquartered on Réunion, a French overseas department in the Indian Ocean. Its origins date to 1974, when Réunion Air Services was established to strengthen the island’s regional air links. The company subsequently operated as Air Réunion before adopting the Air Austral identity in 1990. Its ownership is anchored by Sematra, a mixed-economy company supported by Réunion’s public authorities, reflecting its strategic role in the territory’s connectivity.
The airline’s primary hub is Roland Garros Airport at Saint-Denis, with Mamoudzou serving as another important departure point. Air Austral operates 35 routes serving 18 destinations across nine countries. Its network connects Réunion with metropolitan French cities such as Paris, Marseille, Lyon and Bordeaux, as well as destinations around the Indian Ocean, southern Africa and Asia, including Mauritius, Madagascar, Mayotte, Johannesburg, Mahé and Bangkok.
Aircraft types associated with Air Austral’s operations include the Boeing 777-300ER and Boeing 777-200LR for long-haul flying, the Boeing 737-800 for medium-haul services and the ATR 72 family for shorter regional sectors. The onboard product depends on the aircraft and route. Longer flights may offer Club Austral business class, a Comfort premium cabin and Loisirs economy, while regional aircraft generally have a simpler cabin arrangement.
Air Austral does not belong to Star Alliance, SkyTeam or Oneworld, although commercial partnerships can provide connecting options beyond its own network. Its frequent-flyer programme is MyCapricorne. Members can earn points on eligible journeys and access benefits that vary by membership tier, potentially including additional baggage, advance seat selection, priority airport services and lounge access. Travellers should confirm whether individual fares and partner-operated flights qualify before booking.
Air Austral’s principal strength is its combination of long-haul services to metropolitan France and regional links among island communities that have relatively limited nonstop alternatives. Its network is particularly useful for travellers beginning or ending journeys on Réunion or Mayotte. A smaller fleet and geographically specialised operation can, however, reduce rebooking options during disruption, so passengers with important onward connections should allow sufficient transfer time and monitor flight updates closely.
Good to know
Flying with Air Austral — what to expect
Main Island Hub
Most connections are organised through Roland Garros Airport at Saint-Denis. Allow a comfortable transfer window when moving between regional and long-haul flights.
Cabins Vary
Long-haul services may offer Club Austral, Comfort and Loisirs cabins, while regional aircraft typically have simpler layouts. Check the aircraft and cabin included with the chosen flight before paying.
Check Baggage Terms
Cabin and checked-baggage allowances vary by fare, route and travel class. Review the entitlement printed on the booking, especially when an itinerary includes another operating airline.
Regional Frequencies
Some Indian Ocean services operate only on selected days. Travellers with fixed commitments should compare schedules carefully because the next available flight may not depart the same day.
MyCapricorne Rewards
MyCapricorne offers points and tier-dependent benefits on eligible travel. Add the membership number before departure and retain travel documents until the points have been credited.
Plan For Disruption
A specialised airline with a relatively small fleet may have fewer immediate replacement options after a cancellation. Keep contact details updated and monitor operating messages before leaving for the airport.
Network overview
Where Air Austral flies
Air Austral operates 35 routes to 18 destinations across 9 countries, its longest sector reaching Paris to Saint-Denis (9,368 km nonstop).
Destinations served
Cities Air Austral flies to, most-served first.
Main hubs
Busiest departure bases, by route count.
Fleet
Aircraft types on record for these routes.
Longest nonstop route
Paris → Saint-Denis
9,368 km · CDG → RUN
The longest sector in the Air Austral network, measured as the great-circle distance between the two airports.
Route data · TravelPayouts route data · updated 2026-07
Route network
Popular routes operated by Air Austral
Notable destinations on Air Austral's network.
UUSaint-DenisdirectUUMamoudzoudirectUULyondirectUUMarseilledirectUUPort LouisdirectUUNossi-BedirectUUAntananarivodirectUUBangkokdirectUUBordeauxdirectUUJohannesburgdirectUUMahajangadirectUUMahédirectDestination list is indicative of Air Austral's network; see the airline's official route map for its complete, current schedule.
More from France
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FAQ
Air Austral — frequently asked questions
Quick answers to the details travellers usually check first, from codes and locations to the practical basics that help with planning.
8 common questions
- Tickets are often less expensive outside French and Réunion school holidays and other peak travel periods. Booking early and comparing flexible departure dates can be particularly useful on limited-frequency regional and long-haul routes.
- Air Austral serves metropolitan France, the Indian Ocean region, southern Africa and Asia. Destinations include Saint-Denis, Mamoudzou, Lyon, Marseille, Mauritius, Nossi-Be, Antananarivo, Bangkok, Bordeaux, Johannesburg, Mahajanga and Mahé.
- Air Austral serves exactly 18 destinations across nine countries. It operates 35 routes within this network.
- Air Austral’s longest route is Paris to Saint-Denis, covering about 9,368 km nonstop. It connects metropolitan France with the airline’s main hub on Réunion.
- Air Austral’s primary hub is Roland Garros Airport in Saint-Denis, Réunion. Mamoudzou is its next most important departure point by number of routes.
- Air Austral’s busiest departure points by number of routes are Saint-Denis, Mamoudzou, Marseille, Lyon and Mauritius, in that order. Saint-Denis is the airline’s principal hub.
- Air Austral’s cabin-baggage allowance depends on the fare, cabin and operating aircraft. Travellers should check the dimensions and weight shown in their booking conditions rather than assume that the same allowance applies to every flight.
- Originfacts compares live fares from hundreds of airlines and travel agencies via its partner Travelpayouts. Originfacts never adds a fee.