Air Seychelles has recently announced it will terminate their flights to and from Europe. This is a result of their restructuring of its international route network. This is surprising because the flight from Paris is their second highest volume in terms of passenger traffic. This means you will no longer be able to redeem SkyMiles directly to the Seychelles in 2012.
Air Seychelles will begin terminating service on January 8 with the UK and Italian markets and completely terminate the rest of the flights from Paris on March 25. In 2009 I flew to the Seychelles using 120,000 Delta SkyMiles which is a good use for SkyMiles. While the door to fly directly to the Seychelles on a SkyTeam award through Europe appears to be closing, there are alternatives. So if you’ve recently earned credit card sign up bonuses to use for a trip to the Seychelles, like my friend did, there are still a few decent SkyTeam award ticket options.
From Routes Online Article
Qatar Airways also holding an 8.0 per cent share of the passenger traffic at Seychelles International Airport, the arrival of another major Middle Eastern network carrier in the form of Etihad Airways, has finally forced the airline to radically downsize its international operations and rethink its business model to ensure a sustainable future for the national carrier.
Air France To Mauritius
SkyMiles award redemption still exist to near by islands. A good friend is redeeming SkyMiles on an award flight from ATL > MRU then is purchasing a ticket directly on Air Seychelles. In 2009, we purchased a one way business fare from Seychelles to Mauritius for about $220 USD. By flying to Mauritius on Air France or their Air Mauritius code share, you can get close enough to the Seychelles to get a decent fare to the islands.
Air France From Mauritius Flight Map
Delta or Air France To South Africa
Delta and Air France have multiple options to get to South Africa. From there you can purchase the Air Seychelles flight from JNB to SEZ.
Delta or Air France To Middle East
Delta and Air France have multiple options to get to the Middle East. From there you can purchase the Emirates or Ethiad flight to SEZ.
Kenya Airlines To Seychelles
Kenya Airways announced 3x weekly flights linking Nairobi, Kenya to Seychelles. This appears to be the best option to still get to the Seychelles on a SkyTeam award ticket.
Emirates Via Korean Air SkyPass
Emirates operates flights from DXB. You can redeem 70,000 Korean SkyPass miles for this flight from DXB to SEZ.
Pics From My Stay At The Hilton Seychelles
Bottom Line
Seychelles is an Island Paradise. The Air France codeshare with Air Seychelles was a great way to get to the Seychelles on SkyMiles. This appears to be closing in 2012, but there are still cost effective ways to use SkyMiles to get to the Seychelles.
Related Posts
Dela SkyMiles Award Ticket To Seychelles
Hilton Seychelles – Mahe, Seychelles
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I’m trying to plan a trip to the Seychelles as a side trip to a main South Africa trip from the US. I can’t seem to find an inexpensive ticket between Johannesburg and Mahe, nor any opportunity to use miles. Do you have any ideas? Thanks in advance for any help!
@Stephanie – What month of the year are you going?
Options:
1) You could go through Nairobi on Kenya Airlines using SkyMiles
2) You could go through direct on Air Seychelles
3) You could also go through Mauritius
Check matrix1.itasoftware.com
Cheapest Options:
1) I’m seeing the cheapest option is through Ethiopian Airlines for $650
2) Air Seychelles direct flight for $667
3) Emirates is pricing out at $675
Flew on KLM Houston to Paris (stopover) and then on Air Seychelles with my wife in August 2011 using 120,000 SkyMiles. Air Seychelles had a mechanical problem that could not be repaired in a timely manner at Paris (CDG). Air Seychelles tried to depart with the problem not resolved but CDG flight officials would not approve departure. Air France runs the ground operations at CDG so they were waiting on AS manager who would not show his face to a group of upset passengers. It was difficult to get answers because Air Seychelles was not keeping Air France staff informed.
After a 6.5 hour delay we departed and arrived in the Seychelles. In the end, it cost Air Seychelles as they paid out over $400 Euros each to at least a handful of the customers per the EU Passenger Rights bill. Air Seychelles office manager in Paris acted like it was common practice to pay out passenger compensation for delays.
Curious if possible EU fines and EU passenger rights compensation made it unprofitable for Air Seychelles to fly out of Europe?
In retrospect, I do not see how they can survive without Europe, especially with an aging fleet and the costly bill for new 787’s.
@Stephen – Great story, thanks for sharing. I totally agree. If they are pulling out of Europe and Asia to focus on Africa and Indian Ocean, where will they fly there 787 that they have on order. My guess is they won’t take delivery of it.