Nauru Airlines
Nauru’s state-owned scheduled airline, linking its island home with Australia and key destinations across the central and South Pacific using an all-Boeing 737 fleet.
About Nauru Airlines
Nauru Airlines traces its history to 1970, when it began operations as Air Nauru. The carrier is owned by the Republic of Nauru and serves an important national transport role for one of the world’s smallest island countries. It adopted the Nauru Airlines identity in 2014 after previously operating as Our Airline, while retaining the IATA code ON.
Nauru International Airport is the airline’s home hub, while Brisbane functions as its principal Australian gateway and an important operational base. Its scheduled network links Nauru with Brisbane and Pacific destinations such as Tarawa, Majuro, Pohnpei, Koror, Nadi and Suva. Selected services also reach Kiritimati, sometimes through flying arrangements supporting regional partner airlines.
The fleet consists entirely of Boeing 737 aircraft, including passenger-configured 737-300, 737-700 and 737-800 models, alongside dedicated 737 freighters. Economy is the principal passenger cabin, while business-class or premium seating is offered on selected aircraft and services. The onboard product is straightforward and designed for medium-haul regional journeys rather than luxury long-haul travel.
Nauru Airlines does not belong to Star Alliance, SkyTeam or Oneworld, and it does not operate a widely published proprietary frequent-flyer programme. Its value instead lies in providing direct and multi-stop links between Pacific communities that have relatively limited scheduled air service. Connections and through itineraries should be checked carefully because frequencies can be low.
The airline’s greatest strength is its specialist Pacific network, particularly for travellers reaching Nauru and island capitals that may otherwise require indirect routings. The corresponding challenge is limited frequency: many routes operate only on selected days, and timetable changes can materially affect an itinerary. Passengers should allow generous connection time and consider flexible arrangements for accommodation and onward travel.
Good to know
Flying with Nauru Airlines — what to expect
Limited Flight Frequencies
Many Nauru Airlines routes operate only on selected days rather than daily. Build flexibility into connections, accommodation and onward transport plans.
Brisbane Gateway
Brisbane is the airline’s main Australian gateway and a common starting point for travel to Nauru. Some services continue beyond Nauru to other Pacific islands.
Cabin Baggage Limits
Nauru Airlines publishes different carry-on weight limits for Economy and Business passengers, with a single compact cabin bag generally expected. Confirm the current allowance for your fare before departure.
Island-Hopper Services
Some journeys operate as multi-stop Pacific services. Check every intermediate stop, total journey time and any transit requirements shown on your itinerary.
Boeing 737 Fleet
Passenger flights use Boeing 737 aircraft, so cabin layouts and premium seating can vary by aircraft. Review the seat map when one is available.
Check Schedule Updates
Regional schedules can change because of operational conditions, weather or adjustments to partner services. Reconfirm departure times and travel requirements close to the flight date.
Route network
Popular routes operated by Nauru Airlines
Notable destinations on Nauru Airlines's network.
ONNaurudirectONBrisbanedirectONTarawadirectONMajurodirectONPohnpeidirectONKorordirectONNadidirectONSuvadirectONKiritimatidirectDestination list is indicative of Nauru Airlines's network; see the airline's official route map for its complete, current schedule.
Reviews of Nauru Airlines
TripAdvisor · 2016–2022- 511
- 414
- 39
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- 15
What travellers flew
Counted from the 46 reviews below — a tally of the flights reviewed, with each chip carrying the average score those reviewers gave. Nothing here reads their prose or summarises what they said.
✓ marks a group averaging 7/10 or better, − one averaging 4/10 or worse, across at least three reviews.
Fill in for Air Vanuatu
Air Vanuatu cancelled flight, was told to go to the airport at 2am, day before my scheduled flight out. an aircraft arrived from Nauru. Greeted at top of stairs to aircraft by a crew member, friendly and happy. Meal was a lovely chicken sandwich, mandarin,… See more packet of chips and a timtam. Also was a cool cloth (in a packet) , to freshen up after lunch. There was alcohol available on the flight. (Too early for me). Crew gave service with a smile. It was a pleasure to be on this flight.
See lessPosted October 2022 by cardeb
Primitive but friendly
I booked on Air Vanuatu fur a recent holiday, but unfortunately for some reason they aren’t flying their own routes at the moment and care code sharing with Nauru Airlines. These planes are flying buses. There’s no other way to describe it. Good points: -… See more great, friendly, efficient service - generous drink service - food (what little there was offered) wasn’t too bad at all - a tomatoey peri peri chicken over yellow pilau rice and peas, with a cookie. Negatives: - planes are old - no in-flight entertainment at all - planes poorly kept - my leg is cut and bruised after I caught it on a broken part of the seat. Luckily I had savlon and waterproof band aids in my case... - meal is absolutely tiny and drink selection is minimal We got there safely - and early, somehow, even though we left late. Would I pay to fly them? No, not unless I was needing a super budget option. BUT the staff do an incredible job with not very much to work with at all, and show great pride and training.
See lessPosted January 2020 by Trudi W, Auckland Central
A nice surprise
We had paid to fly with Air Vanuatu earlier in the day but were transferred to this flight. It was an old plane, which actually was OK. Lots of legroom and a nostalgic experience for me. No screens whatsoever, not even music to listen too. I loved my lacto ovo… See more vegetarian meal which ended up being a cauliflower masala with a lamington. The main food looked yummy too, but none were especially big. There were plenty of opportunities for the drink trolley too. Service was lovely.
See lessPosted November 2019 by Katherine A
Best ever
Totally loved it. Customer service is great. Very understanding when it comes to traveling with kids. Meals and drinks offered is inclusive in the fare. Drinks and snacks offered before and after stop over as well. Definitely recommending it for parents flying… See more with kids. Even for booking they are more flexible than others. I paid via ttf and extended my ticket due date for ease, replied to emails efficiently as well.
See lessPosted September 2019 by deomd13, Suva
Turn back
Flight via Air Vanuatu Bris to Santo. Flight turned back half way,, poor excuses, no honest explanations at Bris, no voucher for dinner pre night flight number 2, eventually got in around 11pm, not 4 pm.... bye.....
Posted January 2019 by Trevor C
Late service but good flight.
Flew in the 737, old aircraft but well maintained interior with the original seating - which means plenty of leg room (puts new aircraft to shame!) Flight was delayed by an hour waiting for the aircraft to arrive. Slow turn around once it did. Comfortable… See more flight. Good food and gave seconds if requested. Excellent drinks service, servicing the cabin twice in 2.75 h flight. Great service. If it ran on time would recommend however local people reported it was usually late.
See lessPosted December 2018 by Catherine H
Traveller reviews originally published on TripAdvisor, shown for reference — service standards may have changed since. Originfacts does not edit or verify individual reviews, and the sample reflects who chose to leave one.
FAQ
Nauru Airlines — 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 Brisbane–Nauru sector is generally the longest core nonstop leg in the airline’s published scheduled network. Some through journeys to destinations such as Koror take longer overall because they include intermediate Pacific stops.
- Nauru Airlines connects Nauru with Brisbane and a focused Pacific network that includes Tarawa, Majuro, Pohnpei, Koror, Nadi, Suva and selected Kiritimati services. Destinations and frequencies can vary by timetable period.
- Originfacts compares live fares from hundreds of airlines and travel agencies via its partner Travelpayouts. Originfacts never adds a fee to the prices shown.
- Fares are usually most competitive when booked well ahead of departure and outside major holidays or regional events. Because services are infrequent, cheaper fare classes can disappear quickly once a flight begins filling.
- Nauru Airlines generally permits one compact carry-on bag, with the weight allowance depending on the cabin and fare. Consult the current baggage page and your booking confirmation before travel because limits and aircraft constraints can change.
- The number varies with seasonal schedules and regional operating arrangements, but the published network generally contains fewer than a dozen destinations across Australia and the Pacific. Check the airline’s current timetable for the operating points on your travel dates.
- Nauru International Airport is the airline’s home hub. Brisbane Airport is its principal Australian gateway and an important operational base.
- Nauru International Airport and Brisbane Airport are the principal departure points. Tarawa, Majuro and other stops on the airline’s Pacific Connector services also generate regional departures.