Air Seychelles

Air Seychelles: The Creole Spirit of Island Hopping

Air Seychelles (HM), the national flag carrier of the Republic of Seychelles, captures the essence of its tropical paradise homeland with reliable connectivity across the Indian Ocean archipelago. Founded on September 15, 1977, through the merger of local operators Air Mahé and Inter-Island Airways, it was renamed Air Seychelles in 1978. Headquartered at Seychelles International Airport (SEZ) on Mahé Island, the airline has evolved from domestic shuttle services to a regional player, emphasizing the unique Creole culture and hospitality of the Seychelles.

Historically, Air Seychelles expanded internationally in the 1980s with long-haul routes to Europe. A pivotal partnership with Etihad Airways from 2012 to 2021 injected capital for fleet modernization and codeshares, introducing Abu Dhabi flights and Airbus A330s. Post-restructuring in 2018 and full government ownership since 2021, it refocused on sustainable growth, operating a youthful fleet of two Airbus A320neos for short-haul international services to destinations like Johannesburg, Mauritius, Colombo, Mumbai, and Abu Dhabi, alongside five DHC-6 Twin Otter 400s perfectly suited for the short, scenic domestic hops between Mahé, Praslin, and other outer islands.

What sets Air Seychelles apart is its intimate, personalized service reflecting Seychellois warmth—think Pearl Business Class with generous legroom and Creole-inspired cuisine. Certified as a 4-Star Airline by Skytrax for product quality including seats, catering, cleanliness, and staff, it prioritizes safety (7/7 on AirlineRatings) and regional connectivity. Despite mixed passenger reviews averaging around 3/5 on sites like TripAdvisor (858 reviews) and Skytrax (78 reviews), praising scenic flights but noting occasional delays and service inconsistencies, it remains vital for tourism-driven Seychelles.

With no major alliance but strategic codeshares (Emirates, SriLankan), Air Seychelles operates a full-service hybrid model, blending premium regional offerings with efficient domestic ops. Its modern fleet (average age 9.9 years) underscores commitment to efficiency and low emissions, making it the go-to for exploring Seychelles' 115+ islands.