The United Kingdom is an important source market for the Indian Ocean islands, and a variety of airlines carry passengers from various destinations into Mauritius.

Three airlines fly direct to Mauritius from the United Kingdom (UK): British Airways, Air Mauritius and TUI. A direct flight from the UK to Mauritius is about 12 hours.

British Airways flies to Mauritius throughout the year. The summer season extends from November to April, and winter is from June to September. May and October are transition months between the seasons. 

• From December to April, BA flies from London Gatwick to Mauritius on Mondays, Thursdays and Saturdays.
• From May to October, flights operate on Mondays, Wednesdays, Thursdays, Saturdays and Sundays.
• BA operated by Comair flies to Mauritius via Johannesburg.

Air Mauritius operates three times a week from London Heathrow to Mauritius on Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays. From mid-December to mid-January 2019, a fourth flight will be included to cater for additional travellers over the festive season.

In addition to flights from the UK into Mauritius, Air Mauritius brings travellers to the island from across the world. The carrier’s route map shows its global footprint. You can also see a more detailed flight timetable.

Air Mauritius global routes and timetable

TUI flies from London Gatwick into Mauritius, with only one direct flight per week, departing Gatwick on Sundays, and leaving Mauritius on Mondays.

Should a traveller wish to break the long-haul flight, there are a number of airlines that offer flights with one or two stopovers. These include Emirates, Air France, KLM, Turkish Airlines, Singapore Airlines, Lufthansa, South African Airways (SAA), Malaysia Airlines, Air India, Eurowings, Saudia, Kenya Airways and China Eastern.

Mauritius Airport (MRU)

TUI flies from London Gatwick to Mauritius once a week, departing Gatwick on Sundays, and leaving Mauritius on Mondays.

A number of airlines also offer flights from the UK, either through their own airlines or on codeshares, with one or two stopovers. These include Emirates, Air France, KLM, Turkish Airlines, Singapore Airlines, Lufthansa, South African Airways, Malaysia Airlines, Air India, Eurowings, Saudia, Kenya Airways and China Eastern.

Mauritius Airport (MRU)

Sir Seewoosagur Ramgoolam International Airport has streamlined its offerings to visitors, to make time spent at, and passage through, the airport comfortable.

• Free WiFi in public areas. Three hours of free WiFi are open to passengers; however the service does not provide for music or video streaming, or downloading large files.
• Mauritius Airport app. The app is downloadable on Android or iOS, and provides the latest flight alerts, maps, travel tips and rewards.
•  The VAT refund counter can be found on Level 1, International Check-In Hall B, opposite Gate 16.
• Self-check-in kiosks are available for printing boarding passes, but only for Air Mauritius, Air France, British Airways, South African Airways, Corsair and KLM.
• The airport offers a list of accredited tour operators and hotels.

Other important information to note

• No visas are required for tourists visiting the island from the UK. On arrival, a passport will be stamped allowing entry for up to 60 days. Evidence of onward or return travel will need to be provided.
• While there are no malarial mosquitoes in Mauritius, the Ministry of Health may require UK citizens to provide a blood sample either at the airport or at a later stage should a traveller have visited a malarial area prior to Mauritius.
• Common medicines for personal use are allowed to be brought into the country, however a prescription should be carried with the traveller.
• The Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO)has provided a checklist to help tourists prepare for travel to Mauritius. This can be found here.