Small Airline, Big Impressions: Air Seychelles
The Seychelles has always carried an air of exclusivity - 115 islands scattered across the western Indian Ocean, each promising white sand, turquoise water, and a blissful remove from the everyday world. Getting there, however, requires navigating some logistics, and for travellers arriving from southern Africa, Johannesburg serves as the natural gateway hub. The connecting service to Victoria on Mahé is operated by Air Seychelles, and it turned out to be rather more eventful than the four hours and fifty minutes on the itinerary suggested.
The Lounge Experience
Business class passengers on this route access the Shangalolo Lounge at OR Tambo International Airport, a shared facility utilised by several carriers. It would be stretching the truth to call it impressive. The lounge is on the compact side and carries the unmistakable air of a space that hasn’t seen a refresh in some time. That said, it delivers everything you’d reasonably expect: comfortable seating, food and beverage offerings, and a welcome degree of separation from the terminal bustle. Think of it less as a destination and more as a practical refuge - which, on a busy travel day, is genuinely appreciated.
On Board the A320 Neo
The aircraft operating flight MH 60 is one of just two Airbus A320 neos in the Air Seychelles fleet, both around six years old. It’s a modest operation by any measure, but there’s something rather refreshing about flying a boutique carrier that clearly takes pride in its product without the corporate anonymity of the larger airlines.
One small note: there was no pre-flight drink offered on boarding, with beverages instead served after take-off. A minor omission, but one that seasoned business class travellers will notice.
Once airborne, the meal service proved more than adequate for the flight length. Starters offered a choice between baked chicken meatballs and a mixed bean salad; mains included chicken chamoula with mashed potatoes and mixed vegetables, grilled Cajun-spiced hake with tomato sauce, or a brinjal melanzane for vegetarians. Desserts rounded things off with tiramisu, seasonal fruits, or a cheese platter. A solid selection of Italian and South African wines accompanied the meal — the South African choices, in particular, are worth noting given the departure point.
Entertainment - Or the Lack Thereof
There is no in-flight entertainment system to speak of, beyond the airline’s in-flight magazine, Silhouette. On a longer haul this would be a genuine drawback, but for a sub-five-hour flight it barely registers. The meal service occupies a good portion of the journey, and by the time the trays are cleared, the descent is not far off. Pack a book or download something beforehand and you’ll be perfectly fine.
The Landing That Wasn’t - At First
Here is where the journey took an unexpected turn. As the aircraft made its approach into Seychelles International Airport on Mahé, the weather had closed in sufficiently for the pilot to call a go-around. What followed was approximately forty-five minutes of circling the archipelago while conditions improved enough for a second attempt.
It’s worth noting that Mahé’s airport presents genuine challenges - the single runway is hemmed in by the ocean on one side and mountainous terrain on the other, and the island’s tropical weather can change with little warning. An aborted approach is not uncommon here, and the crew handled the situation with admirable composure. For nervous flyers it may have been unsettling, but for those who appreciate the realities of island aviation, it merely added a certain drama to the arrival.
The Seasoned Traveller’s Verdict
Air Seychelles is not competing with Singapore Airlines or Emirates, nor does it need to. It is a small national carrier doing exactly what it should: connecting the archipelago to the world with genuine warmth and reasonable comfort. The crew on this flight were a standout - attentive, gracious, and thoroughly professional throughout, including during the unplanned extended circuit of the islands.
The Shangalolo Lounge could do with some investment, and the absence of a pre-flight drink is a small gap in the business class experience. But the food was good, the wines were well chosen, and the aircraft was clean and well maintained.
If your travels take you through Johannesburg en route to the Seychelles, Air Seychelles is a perfectly solid choice. On the right day, it may even provide a spot of unexpected aerial sightseeing over one of the world’s most beautiful island groups.
