Surinam Airways
Suriname’s national scheduled airline, linking Paramaribo with destinations in the Caribbean, South America, North America and Europe.
About Surinam Airways
Surinam Airways is the national airline of Suriname and operates under the IATA code PY and ICAO code SLM. Established in 1953, it developed from a domestic carrier into an international airline and is owned by the Surinamese government. The company is commonly associated with the initials SLM, derived from its Dutch name, Surinaamse Luchtvaart Maatschappij.
The airline’s primary hub is Johan Adolf Pengel International Airport, which serves the capital, Paramaribo. Its network comprises 20 routes serving 9 destinations across 9 countries, with important links to northern South America, the Caribbean, Miami and Amsterdam. Paramaribo has the greatest concentration of departures, while Oranjestad, Belem, Cayenne and Georgetown are also significant points in its schedule.
Aircraft types associated with Surinam Airways include the Airbus Industrie A340 and Boeing 737-300. These aircraft families have supported different parts of its network, from regional sectors to the long transatlantic connection between Paramaribo and Amsterdam. Cabin products and operating aircraft can vary by route or operating arrangement, so passengers should review their booking details for the applicable seating, baggage and onboard-service information.
Surinam Airways is not a member of Star Alliance, SkyTeam or Oneworld. It operates its own loyalty programme, Loyal Wings, through which eligible travellers can earn benefits under the programme’s current rules. Because partner access and earning conditions can change, members should confirm eligibility for their specific fare, route and operating carrier before relying on mileage credit or other privileges.
A central strength of Surinam Airways is the direct connectivity it provides between Suriname and major regional and international markets that may otherwise require an additional connection. Its relatively small network can also mean fewer schedule alternatives when a flight changes or is disrupted. Travellers making onward connections should therefore allow a sensible buffer and verify flight times, aircraft assignments and operating arrangements close to departure.
Good to know
Flying with Surinam Airways — what to expect
Check Aircraft Details
Aircraft assignments and operating arrangements can differ by route. Review the operating carrier and cabin information shown on your booking before departure.
Allow Connection Time
The airline has a compact network, so replacement options may be limited after a disruption. Leave a generous buffer when connecting through Paramaribo or onto a separately ticketed flight.
Confirm Baggage Rules
Baggage allowances can depend on the route, fare and cabin. Check the allowance attached to your ticket rather than assuming the same rules apply across regional and transatlantic services.
Arrive Early
Allow ample time for document checks on international flights, especially for travel involving the United States or Europe. Confirm the airport’s recommended check-in deadline before leaving.
Verify Loyalty Credit
Loyal Wings members should confirm whether their fare qualifies for credit and retain boarding passes until points appear. Benefits and earning conditions may vary by booking.
Network overview
Where Surinam Airways flies
Surinam Airways operates 20 routes to 9 destinations across 9 countries, its longest sector reaching Amsterdam to Paramaribo (7,525 km nonstop).
Destinations served
Cities Surinam Airways flies to, most-served first.
Main hubs
Busiest departure bases, by route count.
Fleet
Aircraft types on record for these routes.
Longest nonstop route
Amsterdam → Paramaribo
7,525 km · AMS → PBM
The longest sector in the Surinam Airways 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 Surinam Airways
Notable destinations on Surinam Airways's network.
PYParamaribodirectPYBelemdirectPYCayennedirectPYGeorgetowndirectPYMiamidirectPYOranjestaddirectPYPort of SpaindirectPYAmsterdamdirectPYCuraçaodirectDestination list is indicative of Surinam Airways's network; see the airline's official route map for its complete, current schedule.
Reviews of Surinam Airways
TripAdvisor · 2018–2022- 55
- 416
- 37
- 22
- 120
What travellers flew
Counted from the 50 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.
Never again until major changes happen. service is terrible
Flown SLM to support the country’s funds. Terrible choice. Staff doesn’t apply hospitality on board. Is very slow and lazy. Cabin Staff shows immaturity. Staff SLM head office is not helpful at all. They don’t care about customers. Majority of the staff are… See more incapable to do their jobs.
See lessPosted October 2022 by Jan Z
Crazy Airlines
On the 30th of August I bought a ticket to travel from Miami to Georgetown Guyana the flight was scheduled to depart @ 1:15 pm and supposed to arrive @5:45, the flight never left Miami until 7:36 pm, I never reached Guyana until about minutes to 12 that night.… See more They are unreliable that airline doesn’t care about their customers.. And coming back was even worse . My flight was scheduled to depart Guyana on the 13th of September for Miami @7am the flight was canceled I didn’t even no until I meet at the airport, they said they send out emails which I never received. So they said the flight was rescheduled for the 14th at 11am so we all got to the airport the flight was rescheduled again for 2pm the flight never left until 3:06 pm.. so on our way to Miami there was a storm so the flight had to divert to West Palms Beach Florida, spend like a hour on the tarmac, then we left West Palms Beach back to Miami, when we all got there we misses our connected flight, I never got home until 15th. I had to sleep at the airport just to catch a early flight out to get to Atlanta Georgia. I will never fly again with this airline they are ridiculous. I would never understand why the Guyana Government will allow this airline to fly to Guyana.. they didn’t even give us any money nothing for our inconvenience ask us if we would like to have a glass of water how crazy is that… never again i will book a flight with them..
See lessPosted September 2022 by Ann M
Better than expected!
I’ve flown on some hideous local airlines and was expecting not much less with Surinam Airways, however their plane that I flew on was clean, on time/early, cabin crew were pleasant and they offered a light snack and a drink. Okay so you’re never going to get… See more 5 stars but they are trying and I love their new branding “93% Forest, 100% Surinamese” - brilliant. Get there early as they will leave without you! Also expect a long wait in arrivals as immigration took me almost 3 hours, more than double my actual flying time. You have been warned :)
See lessPosted March 2020 by Matt, Newcastle upon Tyne
Vacation
For my flight to miami i had choose the suriname airways to travel with first timer witht his airways company. Have to say that it was nice not to much waiting to board the flight self was good smooth meals onboard was delicious tipical suriname meal and some… See more other assortment meals. Furder no complain. Good job suriname airways
See lessPosted March 2020 by Jermainearuba, Oranjestad
Positive expectation
Good flight, WONDERFUL CABIN ATTENDANTS, Tasty food, enough drinks and a better airplane. Smooth landing in Miami
Posted December 2019 by John G
Excellent Flight !!
The flight was extremely excellent and smooth. The on board crew member and check in agents at MIA greated with a smile and with great service. Good air fee !! Will definetly fly with Surinam Airways again !!
Posted July 2019 by Zuhaila H, Aruba
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.
More from Suriname
Other airlines based in Suriname
FAQ
Surinam Airways — 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 in its network are Paramaribo, followed by Oranjestad, Belem, Cayenne and Georgetown. The precise schedule and frequency can vary by travel period.
- Surinam Airways serves destinations in South America, the Caribbean, North America and Europe. Its network includes Paramaribo, Belem, Cayenne, Georgetown, Miami, Oranjestad, Port of Spain, Amsterdam and Curaçao.
- Fares are often lower outside peak holiday and school-vacation periods, particularly when booked in advance. Compare several nearby dates because the airline’s limited weekly frequencies can produce substantial price differences.
- Surinam Airways serves exactly 9 destinations across 9 countries, operating 20 routes.
- The longest route is Amsterdam to Paramaribo, covering about 7,525 km nonstop.
- Surinam Airways’s primary hub is Johan Adolf Pengel International Airport, the main international airport serving Paramaribo. Paramaribo has the largest concentration of routes in its network.
- Originfacts compares live fares from hundreds of airlines and travel agencies via its partner Travelpayouts. Originfacts never adds a fee.
- Carry-on limits may vary by fare, cabin, route and operating aircraft. Check the baggage conditions on your ticket or Surinam Airways’s website for the allowance applying to your flight.