Air Seychelles
Seychelles’ scheduled national airline, linking its Mahé base with nearby islands and selected international destinations using regional jets and Twin Otters.
About Air Seychelles
Air Seychelles was founded in 1977 as Seychelles Airlines after the consolidation of the local operators Air Mahé and Inter-Island Airways, adopting its current name in 1978. It is the flag carrier of the Republic of Seychelles and is headquartered on Mahé. The Government of Seychelles owns the airline outright, having regained full ownership after Etihad Airways sold its minority shareholding in 2021.
The airline’s primary hub is Seychelles International Airport on Mahé. Its network comprises eight routes serving five destinations across four countries, with Mahé, Abu Dhabi, Johannesburg, Mauritius and Praslin Island forming the principal points served. The operation combines international links to Africa and the Middle East with the short domestic connection between Mahé and Praslin, an important route for residents and visitors transferring between the islands.
Aircraft types associated with Air Seychelles operations include the Airbus A320, Airbus A330-200 and De Havilland Canada DHC-6 Twin Otter. Airbus aircraft support international flying, while Twin Otters are well suited to short inter-island sectors and smaller airports. Cabin products depend on the aircraft and route: Airbus services may offer Business Class and Economy Class, whereas Twin Otter flights have a compact single-cabin configuration with more limited storage.
Air Seychelles is associated with the Vanilla Alliance, a regional grouping of Indian Ocean carriers, but it is not a member of Star Alliance, SkyTeam or Oneworld. Its frequent-flyer relationship is with Etihad Guest, allowing eligible passengers to earn or redeem miles on qualifying services. Travellers should confirm eligibility for their particular flight number and booking class because accrual conditions can differ between Air Seychelles-operated and partner-marketed itineraries.
A clear strength is the airline’s combination of international access and direct domestic connectivity between Mahé and Praslin. Its focused network can make journeys within Seychelles straightforward, particularly when sectors are booked together. The principal challenge is limited scale: with only five destinations and relatively few routes, alternatives may be restricted when schedules change. Passengers connecting to separate tickets, ferries or island transfers should therefore leave a comfortable time margin.
Good to know
Flying with Air Seychelles — what to expect
Focused Route Network
Air Seychelles serves five destinations across four countries, so some routes may operate only on selected days. Check the schedule before arranging separately booked connections.
Inter-Island Aircraft
Flights between Mahé and Praslin use compact Twin Otter aircraft with less cabin-storage space than an Airbus. Pack essential items in a small bag that is easy to handle.
Check Baggage Rules
Allowances can vary by route, cabin, fare and aircraft type. Use the conditions shown on your ticket, especially when an itinerary combines international and domestic sectors.
Cabin Differences
Airbus services may offer Business Class and Economy Class, while Twin Otter flights use a simpler single-cabin layout. Do not expect the same seating or onboard amenities on inter-island flights.
Allow Connection Time
A small network offers fewer recovery options after disruption than a major global carrier. Leave a sensible buffer before ferries, island transfers or separately ticketed flights.
Etihad Guest Credit
Eligible flights may qualify for Etihad Guest mileage. Add your membership number before departure and retain the ticket and boarding pass until any expected miles appear.
Network overview
Where Air Seychelles flies
Air Seychelles operates 8 routes to 5 destinations across 4 countries, its longest sector reaching Johannesburg to Mahe (3,757 km nonstop).
Destinations served
Cities Air Seychelles flies to, most-served first.
Main hubs
Busiest departure bases, by route count.
Fleet
Aircraft types on record for these routes.
Longest nonstop route
Johannesburg → Mahe
3,757 km · JNB → SEZ
The longest sector in the Air Seychelles 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 Seychelles
Notable destinations on Air Seychelles's network.
HMMahedirectHMAbu DhabidirectHMJohannesburgdirectHMMauritiusdirectHMPraslin IslanddirectDestination list is indicative of Air Seychelles's network; see the airline's official route map for its complete, current schedule.
FAQ
Air Seychelles — 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
- The busiest departure points are Mahe, followed by Abu Dhabi, Johannesburg, Mauritius and Praslin Island. Mahe is the airline’s main operating and connecting base.
- Originfacts compares live fares from hundreds of airlines and travel agencies via its partner Travelpayouts. Originfacts never adds a fee.
- Air Seychelles serves exactly 5 destinations across 4 countries. It operates 8 routes within that network.
- Air Seychelles primarily operates from Seychelles International Airport on Mahe. It is the airline’s busiest departure hub and the connecting point for international and inter-island flights.
- Lower fares are generally easier to find outside peak Seychelles holiday periods and when booking early. Compare nearby departure dates because the airline’s limited frequencies can cause the cheapest fare classes to sell out.
- Air Seychelles serves Mahe, Abu Dhabi, Johannesburg, Mauritius and Praslin Island. These destinations connect Seychelles domestically and with selected markets in Africa and the Middle East.
- Air Seychelles’s longest route is Johannesburg to Mahe, covering about 3,757 km nonstop.
- Carry-on rules vary by cabin, fare and aircraft, with particularly limited storage aboard the Twin Otters used on inter-island flights. Confirm the allowance printed on your booking and be prepared for larger cabin bags to be checked on smaller aircraft.