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Air Austral

The airline of Réunion, linking the Indian Ocean and Paris

  • France (Réunion)Country
  • UUIATA Code
  • REUICAO Code
  • IndependentAlliance
  • Full-ServiceAirline Type

Guide reviewed

About Air Austral

Air Austral is Réunion’s airline, flying Boeing 787s and 777s to Paris and linking the island with Mauritius, Madagascar, Mayotte, South Africa and, more recently, Bangkok. It returned to profit in the year to March 2026, and its A220s will be replaced by A320neos in 2027. This guide covers routes, baggage, power bank rules, MyCapricorne and how Air Austral compares with Air Mauritius and Air France.

Air Austral is the airline of Réunion, the French island in the Indian Ocean. It began in 1974 as Réunion Air Service and took its current name in 1990. As a French airline, it is covered by EU passenger rights.

Air Austral flights to Réunion
Photo: Sergey Zhesterev / Unsplash

Air Austral in 2026

Air Austral returned to profit in the year to 31 March 2026, with a net result of €1.5 million on €464 million of revenue. It carried 1.23 million passengers (up 5%), with planes 92% full.

  • New flights: Réunion–Bangkok three times a week, and Mayotte (Dzaoudzi)–Paris CDG nine times a week.
  • A new partnership with Air India.
  • Its three A220-300s leave the fleet in December 2026; two Airbus A320neos are due in March and May 2027.
  • A fuel surcharge was added because of higher fuel costs.

Power Bank Rules on Air Austral

Air Austral follows the ICAO power bank rules in force worldwide since 27 March 2026:

  • A maximum of two power banks per passenger, in cabin baggage only.
  • Up to 100 Wh without approval; 100–160 Wh only with the airline’s approval.
  • No charging power banks, or devices from them, during the flight.
  • Never pack power banks in checked bags.

Check-In

Online check-in is available on many routes. Allow three hours for long-haul flights to Paris.

How to Find Cheap Flights to Réunion

Cheap Air Austral flights: airplane flying in a blue sky
Photo: Viktor Forgacs on Unsplash
  • Avoid French school holidays, especially July, August and Christmas.
  • Compare Paris nonstops with connections via Mauritius.
  • Combine Réunion with Mauritius or Madagascar on one trip.
  • Book long-haul seats early for peak periods.
  • Compare airlines: use the FlightSelects flight search to see Air Austral next to Air Mauritius, Air France and others.

Air Austral vs Air Mauritius vs Air France

Three ways to fly between France and the Indian Ocean.

Air AustralAir MauritiusAir France
HubRéunionMauritiusParis
Nonstop Paris–RéunionYesNo (via Mauritius)Yes
EU passenger rightsYesOn flights from the EUYes
Best forRéunion and MayotteMauritiusConnections across Europe

See our Air Mauritius guide and Air France guide to compare.

Arriving in Réunion

Roland Garros Airport is close to Saint-Denis. Car hire is the most popular way to explore, as buses are limited outside the main towns.

You can also book an airport transfer in advance at a fixed price.

Is Air Austral a Good Airline?

Yes. It offers nonstop Paris flights, a useful Indian Ocean network and EU passenger protection, and its finances are improving in 2026.

For more options, see our Madagascar Airlines guide, airline guides and the FlightSelects travel blog.

Facts checked in October 2026 against Air Austral’s June 2026 results release and ICAO’s 2026 power bank rules. Rules change, so check the official Air Austral website before you travel.

Airline Partnerships

Air Austral is not a member of a global airline alliance, but it works with partner airlines to connect Réunion with the rest of the world.

Codeshare & Interline Partnerships

Air Austral codeshares with partner airlines on routes to mainland France and across the Indian Ocean, so you can connect onward on one ticket.

Hubs & Focus Cities

Roland Garros Airport (RUN) in Sainte-Marie, near Saint-Denis on Réunion, is Air Austral's hub.

Popular Air Austral Routes

Air Austral's main route links Réunion with Paris Charles de Gaulle on the Boeing 787 and 777. Regional flights connect Réunion with Mauritius, Madagascar, Mayotte and Johannesburg, and the airline also flies to Bangkok. Choose a route to see recent schedules and fares.

Fares are the lowest recently found by our partners and can change quickly. Select a fare to check live prices and availability.

Air Austral Reschedule & Cancellation Policy

Air Austral sells several fare types, from the cheapest fares with the strictest rules to flexible fares with lower change fees, plus Business Class on long-haul flights. The conditions for your ticket are shown when you book.

When you change, you pay any difference in fare plus any change fee for your fare type. As a French airline, Air Austral is covered by EU passenger rights.

  • Cheapest fares Lowest prices and the strictest rules.
  • Flexible fares Lower change fees and more flexibility.
  • Business Class The most flexible conditions.
  • EU passenger rights Regulation 261/2004 may entitle you to compensation for long delays or cancellations.
  • How to change or cancel Use Manage booking on air-austral.com or contact Air Austral.

Air Austral Seat Selection & Additional Services

You can choose a seat when booking or at check-in, with some seats available to buy in advance. On long-haul flights to Paris, Air Austral offers Business Class with more space and comfort.

Extra bags cost less when added before you fly than at the airport.

  • Seat selection When booking or at check-in; some seats are paid.
  • Business Class On long-haul flights to Paris.
  • Extra bags Cheaper when added before travel.
  • Special assistance Request wheelchairs and other help in advance.

Air Austral Baggage Allowance

Air Austral uses the piece concept. Economy includes one checked bag of up to 23 kg (15 kg on Rodrigues flights; none on Light fares), Premium Economy two bags of 23 kg and Business two bags of 32 kg.

Bags can measure up to 158 cm (length + width + height), and no bag over 32 kg is accepted (30 kg on Thailand flights). Extra bags cost €90 online on long-haul flights and €45 on regional flights, more at the airport.

  • Economy 1 × 23 kg (15 kg on Rodrigues flights).
  • Light fare No checked bag.
  • Premium Economy 2 × 23 kg.
  • Business 2 × 32 kg.
  • Max bag size 158 cm (L + W + H).
  • Extra bag €90 long-haul / €45 regional, online.

MyCapricorne: Air Austral Loyalty Programme

MyCapricorne is Air Austral's free loyalty programme. You earn points on Air Austral flights and with partners, and redeem them for award flights and other rewards.

Frequent flyers can reach higher levels with extra benefits such as priority services and more baggage. Long-haul flights include meals and entertainment, and Business Class is available on the Paris route.

  • Membership Free to join.
  • Earn Points on Air Austral flights and with partners.
  • Redeem Award flights and other rewards.
  • Higher levels Priority services and extra benefits.
Join or log in on the Air Austral website

Air Austral: Frequently Asked Questions

01Where is Air Austral headquartered?

The airline is headquartered in Sainte-Marie, Réunion.

02When was Air Austral founded?

The airline was founded in 1974.

03What is Air Austral’s frequent flyer programme called?

The frequent flyer programme is called MyCapricorne. Members earn points or miles on eligible flights and can redeem them for award tickets, upgrades and other benefits.

04Where does Air Austral fly from?

Air Austral's hub is Roland Garros Airport (RUN) in Sainte-Marie, near Saint-Denis on Réunion, with flights to Paris and around the Indian Ocean.

05Does Air Austral fly nonstop to Paris?

Yes. Air Austral flies nonstop between Réunion and Paris Charles de Gaulle on the Boeing 787 and 777.

06Is Air Austral in an airline alliance?

No. Air Austral is not part of a global alliance, but it codeshares with partner airlines.

07Does Air Austral include checked baggage?

Yes, except on Light fares. Economy includes one 23 kg bag (15 kg on Rodrigues flights), Premium Economy two 23 kg bags and Business two 32 kg bags.

08What is Air Austral's baggage allowance?

Economy includes one checked bag of up to 23 kg, Premium Economy two of 23 kg and Business two of 32 kg. Light fares include no checked bag, and bags can measure up to 158 cm in total.

09Can I change or cancel an Air Austral flight?

Air Austral sells several fare types, from the cheapest fares with the strictest rules to flexible fares with lower change fees, plus Business Class on long-haul flights. The conditions for your ticket are shown when you book. When you change, you pay any difference in fare plus any change fee for your fare type.

10What are Air Austral's IATA and ICAO codes?

Air Austral's IATA code is UU and its ICAO code is REU. You'll see the IATA code (UU) in flight numbers and on boarding passes.

11Where is Air Austral's main hub?

Air Austral's main hub is Réunion (RUN).

Air Austral, its logo and trademarks are the property of Air Austral SA and are used for identification and informational purposes only. FlightSelects is not affiliated with or endorsed by Air Austral unless expressly stated. FlightSelects may earn a commission when you book through partner links, at no extra cost to you.