Finding affordable flights to Réunion is shaped by the island's remote location in the Indian Ocean and its status as a French overseas department. Roland Garros Airport (RUN) in Saint-Denis is the primary international gateway, with air service heavily focused on connections from mainland France and nearby Indian Ocean islands into RUN. This results in a market dominated by a few key carriers, with fares from Europe remaining high and limited competition for long-haul travel.
The most frequent and essential routes are from mainland France, with direct flights from Paris (CDG) operated by Air France and Air Austral into Réunion, and from Marseille (MRS). Other vital connections include nearby islands like Mauritius (MRU), Madagascar (TNR), and Mayotte (DZA) into RUN. For travel from Asia, the rest of Europe, or beyond, connecting through Paris is the most common and practical path, though occasional flights from other hubs like Istanbul (IST) or Dubai (DXB) may offer alternatives.
Fare levels are intensely seasonal, peaking during the French summer holidays (July-August), the Christmas and New Year period, and the Réunionnais summer (December-February). Booking at least 4-6 months in advance for these times is crucial. Traveling during the shoulder seasons of spring or autumn can yield lower prices, though the difference is often less dramatic than in more competitive markets.
A practical strategy is to use Mauritius (MRU) as an alternate arrival point into the region. It can be cost-effective to first take the short, often inexpensive flight from Mauritius into Réunion, as MRU has a larger airport with more airlines and sometimes better fares from international destinations in Europe, Asia, and Africa. For travel from France into Réunion, always compare fares from the local carrier Air Austral with those from Air France, as they can vary. Exploring multi-city itineraries that include a stopover in Mauritius or Dubai on your way from Europe into Réunion can occasionally reveal better value. To monitor for sales on the critical Paris route into RUN and any new connecting services, subscribing to a targeted fare alert service is a valuable tool for travelers heading to Réunion.