Getting to Reunion Island is hard.

That’s if you’re coming from the United States. The easiest way to get there is via Mauritius, which drastically reduces the cost. However, it’s still on my bucket list to tackle one of the longest domestic flights in the world (previously held by Air Tahiti Nui) going from Charles de Gaulle (CDG) in Paris to Roland Garros Airport (RUN) in Sainte Marie–both in France.

Going to Reunion from Paris or the “métropole” is the equivalent of going from the “mainland” USA to Hawaii. Guam doesn’t count since you can’t really go there directly, domestically, from the mainland without passing through Honolulu or South Korea’s Incheon airport.

That’s how I ended up on Air Mauritius. It was convenient, frequently flies there, and WAS NOT cheap. Yes, that’s correct, it’s not cheap. In fact, it seems that Air Mauritius flights which run frequently to Reunion are sort of like milk-run flights that happen in Northern Norway (with Widerøe Airlines) or Northern Scotland (with Loganair).

Note: You can also book with Air Austral (a French airline based in Reunion–similar to Hawaiian Airlines) that also runs flights from Mauritius to Reunion. It will either be more or less expensive depending on date and time. Since I picked a Saturday return date that usually jacked up the prices. Also, I like flying national carriers and wanted to fly Air Mauritius.

The Deets

The flight is relatively short, 50 mins–basically spending 30mins+ from wheels up to wheels down. However, on my departing flight I was sure that everyone in the main boarding area was going on our flight.

Nope! There were only about 20-40 people on an Airbus A330-200–aka a full-sized plane that can seat 200+ people. There was probably more cargo on board than passengers.

The flight is so short you only get a juice box. However, in hindsight the Loganair flight I took from Aberdeen, Scotland to Kirkwall, UK in the Orkney Islands came with wafers and more. So maybe Air Mauritius needs to step up their short, in-flight service options.

The seats and interior showed signs of excessive wear and were in need of re-upholstery and a cleaning. However, the flight was without effort and arrived safely to and from Reunion.

If you have status on Air France, then you can apply that on Air Mauritius (doesn’t quite work with Delta). The other bonus is that since it’s international–you can carry heavy luggage to and from Reunion to Mauritius. The downside is that even though the flight is short between the two islands, you are bound to spend more time in customs than the flight itself.

Gear Used

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Fun Fact

I recommend sitting on the return flight from RUN to MRU on the left side of the plane.

Weirdly, my return flight was more full. And this time Air Mauritius used a more size-appropriate ATR 72 turboprop plane–the same one that Loganair uses on its island-hopping in Scotland.

If you sit on the left side of the aircraft, you will be able to get a glimpse of Le Morne and the lagoon that surrounds it and the nearby beaches. However, the main view is the optical illusion that appears next to Le Morne–an underwater waterfall.

Ok, maybe not a real waterfall, but it’s a beautiful optical illusion that adds to the beauty of the island.

Flying from Mauritius to Reunion Island (France)

Tips, Tricks, and Logistics

• Fly via Mauritius for Cost-Effectiveness: The most affordable route to Reunion Island from the U.S. is through Mauritius. While it’s not a cheap option, it significantly reduces travel costs compared to direct flights from Europe.
• Short but Scenic Flight: The flight from Mauritius to Reunion is only about 50 minutes long, with around 30 minutes of actual flying time. Despite the short duration, you’ll enjoy stunning views of the island’s landscape, including the optical illusion of an “underwater waterfall” near Le Morne.
• Airlines to Consider: Two main airlines operate between Mauritius and Reunion: Air Mauritius and Air Austral. Air Mauritius is often preferred for its convenience, though Air Austral, the French airline based in Reunion, offers competitive prices, depending on your travel dates. Since flights between the islands are frequent, you may have some flexibility in selecting the best deal
• Customs Can Take Longer than the Flight: Even though the flight between Mauritius and Reunion is brief, the customs process may take longer than the actual flight. Since this is an international journey, you’re allowed more luggage than on domestic flights, which can be beneficial for travelers with heavy baggage.
• Seat Selection for Best Views: For the best scenic experience on your return flight from Reunion to Mauritius, sit on the left side of the aircraft. This gives you a chance to see the “underwater waterfall” illusion and the beautiful landscape of Le Morne.

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