Air Austral is the flag-carrier of the French overseas department Reunion. Naturally, they connect their native island to Paris. While these tickets usually come with a price-tag of more than €700, they are currently available for €451. This is a light fare, including a cabin bag, but no hold luggage. The cheapest ticket including a 23kg checked bag is available for €573 on Air Austral’s website.
Our availability calendar highlights all possible flight dates at the lowest price for trips up to 28 days. It will forward you to Skyscanner with your selected flight dates. There, you can also check what OTAs have to offer or proceed to Air Austral’s website, where tickets are €20 more expensive.
Air Austral uses Boeing 777-300ER and Boeing 787-8 aircraft for these flights. Both aeroplanes feature personal, on-demand entertainment systems for every seat – but no power outlets.
You can also fly with French leisure carrier French Bee to Reunion. While the tickets are slightly cheaper, French Bee’s aircraft are notably less comfortable:
Since Reunion is an overseas department of France, European citizens need nothing but their passport to enter the country.
Search & Book
According to the fare rules, tickets for this price are on sale until December 13, 2024 for travel between January and March 2025. In order to get the lowest prices, you need to stay more than three days, but less than three months.
Google Flights will help you find additional flight dates. While OTAs may offer cheaper tickets, we still recommend booking on Air Austral’s website.
Why is booking with an airline better than with an online travel agency?
More often than not, online travel agencies offer lower fares than airlines do. We still recommend booking with the airlines directly. There are two main reasons for that:
Better Customer Service
In case any problems like delays, cancellations or missed connections arise, you can communicate directly with the airline. The airline has to take care of you because you have a contract with them.
If a travel agency issues your ticket, you may have to reach out to them first. You also depend on your OTA to forward information like flight changes instead of receiving them directly from the airline. In many cases, you may get a prime exhibition of responsibility shifting rather than problem-solving.
This especially applies to premium tickets. You don’t want to spend more than €1,000 to wind up with some budget OTA’s telephone hotline in case anything goes wrong.
Baggage and Other Fees
Economy fares not including hold luggage are industry standard by now. In most cases, travel agencies charge much higher baggage fees than the airlines themselves. If bags are not included in your fare, airlines are often the cheaper alternative.
This also applies to other things like food services, insurances or priority treatment. In almost all cases, you pay less for additional amenities when booking on the airlines’ website.
Miles & Points
Tickets are issued in booking class M, making it impossible to earn miles in any major program.
Cover Picture: Cascade of Grand Galet in Langevin valley, La Reunion island, France | ©Kess16 - stock.adobe.com