Air Austral improves services with additions to Club Austral and Confort classes

Air Austral is pursuing its course of excellence and strengthening its offer in the Club Austral and Confort classes in 2025, consolidating a travel experience resolutely oriented towards attention to detail, comfort and local gastronomy. Through a series of targeted innovations, Reunion's airline is fine-tuning its positioning in the face of intense international competition, with players such as Air France, Corsair, Air Caraïbes, French Bee, Transavia, KLM, Lufthansa, Emirates, Qatar Airways and Turkish Airlines vying for the long-haul and medium-haul segments. The region's economic and industrial context is also driving greater emphasis on local know-how and more authentic travel, both on domestic flights and on long-haul routes linking La Réunion to Paris, Bangkok or other hubs. In this context, the new features focus on three main areas: in-flight gastronomy and in-flight experiences, comfort and travel kits, and mechanisms for upgrading and anticipating the offer to better meet passenger demand. This evolution is part of a dynamic that blends Reunion heritage and international ambition, with partnerships that invite comparison with the sector's global offering while remaining true to local DNA. The first signs of these strategic choices can be seen in the menus designed by Kevene Marimoutou and the oenological selections entrusted to Fabrice Sommier, Meilleur Ouvrier de France, which highlight regional products and local culinary expertise. For travelers, this means bolder dishes, more finely-tuned food and wine pairings, and a culinary narrative that echoes the island's identity. Other elements, such as comfort finds and upgrade features, complete the picture, bringing a practical and personalized dimension to every journey. To gain a better understanding of what's at stake, we need to examine in turn the levers for improvement, the expected effects on the customer experience and the competitive stakes emerging around the Club Austral and Confort offer. This analysis is based on public information and airline industry benchmarks for 2025, while remaining faithful to the descriptive style that characterizes the company's communications. Official pages and specialized articles give precise details of the elements implemented: cuisine signed by renowned chefs, Signature verrines offered in the boarding lounge, redesigned comfort kits and new gastronomic offerings and accompaniments. To set the scene, a number of external resources describe the recent developments and strategic directions of the Air Austral Group, while recalling the importance of partners and industry influences on this trajectory. Readers can, for example, refer to analyses and reports that look back at the redesign of Club Austral and Confort cabins, and at menu and accessory management choices, all of which help assess the impact of improvements on customer retention and brand visibility in the Indian Ocean market and beyond. In this sense, the story of Air Austral's proposed changes is a central piece of a larger puzzle in which passenger expectations and operational constraints coexist to produce an ever smoother and better orchestrated travel experience. For aviation enthusiasts and industry observers alike, the approach also illustrates how a regional airline can, through measured choices and careful execution, transform products into tangible, memorable experiences. It's all based on a balance between tradition and modernity, with an offering that speaks as much to business travelers as to families exploring new horizons.

• Gastronomy revisited Kevene Marimoutou's signature on all Club Austral Class dishes since September 2025, with ten new proposals and an emphasis on Reunionese products.
• Wine and food pairing Fabrice Sommier's selection of food pairings to match the culinary experience of flying and Réunion Island dishes.
• Comfort and accessories A new range of products: redesigned kits, four colors in the Club Austral Class and renewed comfort features in the Comfort Class.
• Pre-boarding experience Signature verrines in the Air Austral lounge and before boarding, to tantalize the taste buds before the flight.
• Upgrading and flexibility Ciel Plus: upgrade offer and modules such as Ciel Plus, in partnership with Plusgrade, to facilitate access to upgraded cabins.

For a more in-depth look at the technical and commercial aspects, online resources provide details of the new features and tests carried out. Articles such as those published on Quotidien du Tourisme and TourMag keep you abreast of developments in cabins and services, while the Air Austral news pages and specialized media provide details of access conditions and fare benchmarks. Partnerships and initiatives around cuisine and comfort illustrate the desire to create a strong identity around the Club Austral and Confort offer, an identity that is both local and international. Readers can compare the experiences offered on board with those of other players in the sector, notably Air France and Lufthansa, and appreciate how Air Austral is positioning itself in relation to its European and Asian competitors. For those who wish to go further, the links below point to additional resources and specialized analyses that document these developments and the associated outlook.

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Air Austral enhances its Club Austral and Confort classes

Air Austral: gastronomy and local creators at the heart of the Club Austral and Confort experience

Gastronomy plays a central role in the revitalization of Club Austral and Confort classes. Since 2025, the signature dishes in Club Austral class have been designed by chef Kevene Marimoutou, a well-known figure on the culinary scene in Réunion, positioning Air Austral as a showcase for local know-how. The aim is twofold: to offer high-quality cuisine that showcases local produce, and to offer a culinary experience that can be recounted in-flight, as an extension of the place of production and culture. The menu, which features ten new proposals in addition to existing dishes, explores unexpected combinations and ingredients emblematic of the island. Daring creations include chicken carry with vanilla, swordfish steak with spicy ketchup and lemon gel, duck breast marinated in galabé syrup and crow carry with ginger and mango. These proposals reflect an approach that favors local products and cooking techniques adapted to long-haul flights, while maintaining a balance between delicacy and aromatic intensity. The gradual renewal of creations is an invitation to discover and rediscover Reunionese cuisine, while ensuring consistency with the operational requirements of a long-haul flight, where the balance of taste and harmony of textures play a decisive role in the overall perception of the service. The other pillar of the taste offering is the collaboration with Fabrice Sommier, Meilleur Ouvrier de France and renowned sommelier, whose wine selection is designed as a tailor-made accompaniment to local flavors. The aim is to create pairings that match both the characteristics of the dishes and the immersive flight experience, with choices that bring real complexity without saturating the palate. At the same time, pre-boarding components are offered to whet the appetite and prepare for the journey. In the Reunion airport lounge, Signature verrines offer a foretaste of local products, with monthly creations that are renewed quarterly to offer a variety of textures and tastes, such as fish rillettes with ginger-mango or pineapple cocktail with spicy ketchup. These pre-board proposals reinforce the idea of a voyage that begins before boarding, and which is part of a logic of culinary discovery around the world of Reunion. To accompany the culinary offer, wines and spirits are selected to accompany the dishes in the different flight configurations, while making sure to offer options adapted to all customers and to the diversity of routes. The aim is to nurture a travel experience that combines authenticity and sophistication, highlighting flavors and textures that evoke the island and its heritage. Through this choice, Air Austral also becomes a platform for cultural and gastronomic exchanges, where passengers can perceive the intimate link between the terroir and the cabin. Last but not least, the promotion of these culinary arts is in line with a logic of cohabitation with international gastronomic offerings, enabling choices to be adjusted according to local markets and expectations, while remaining true to the airline's identity.

• Kevene Marimoutou Signature Menu in Club Austral Class, with 10 new proposals and dishes featuring La Réunion.
• Wines selected by Fabrice Sommier to accompany dishes and reflect the harmony between terroir and travel.
• Signature Verrines offered in the lounge before boarding, renewed each month to explore different local pairings.
• Gradual preparation of dishes on board, ensuring balanced flavors and sanitary and operational compliance.
• Strategic positioning around Reunion's identity and a culinary story that is part of a global travel experience.

Air Austral gourmet news
Air Austral upgrade - offers and challenges

Comfort and redesigned travel kits: learning-by-doing for onboard well-being

Passenger comfort has become a central criterion for long-haul and regional routes, where longer flight times make attention to material details and ergonomics essential. Air Austral is responding to this requirement by reinforcing comfort kits, redesigning physical elements and generally improving the cabin experience. In Club Austral Class, four distinct colors offer a richer visual identity and enable accessories to be diversified without compromising aesthetic coherence. The kit itself has been redesigned to optimize space and facilitate use of the items it contains: ear plugs, satin night mask, soft, comfortable socks, bamboo toothbrush, toothpaste and two premium products by L'Occitane. In Comfort Class, the kit also benefits from enriched contents, designed to meet different needs and ensure continuity of service during long flight hours. This approach is not limited to the material object: it is accompanied by a gradual remodeling of ergonomic and comfort elements in the cabin itself, to improve personal space and ensure a more serene and customizable experience. In addition to equipment, communication and passenger support play an important role: staff are trained to anticipate expectations, offer advice on how to optimize comfort and propose solutions adapted to each travel profile. This attention to detail is part of a wider framework in which service providers and cabin crews work together to ensure operational consistency and a homogeneous experience on all flights. Work on comfort is based on customer feedback and internal diagnostics, reflecting an iterative approach that aims to adjust configurations according to routes and flight durations. On-board comfort features are seen as components of a wider system: optimized cabin space, infotainment systems (or on-board lighting during landings) and personalized services that adapt to passengers' pace and preferences. In this context, Air Austral is committed to offering a consistent and reassuring experience, even on the most demanding routes, such as those linking La Réunion to Paris or Bangkok. Developments in comfort and travel accessories are designed to build customer loyalty and set Air Austral apart from its European and international competitors, while at the same time promoting the local dimension and excellence in craftsmanship. Last but not least, the gradual introduction of these new features represents a key step in the expansion of our premium offer and service levels, which can be translated into improved passenger retention and more active prospecting of emerging markets.

• Four different colors for Club Austral kits, with premium content and eco-responsible elements.
• Reinforced Comfort Class contents and eco-friendly items like the bamboo toothbrush.
• Comfort accessories that include special attention to craftsmanship and design.
• Staff training for a more proactive, personalized customer experience.
• Regular reassessments of passenger needs and adjustments to services accordingly.

Exclusif.re - Air Austral enhances the Club Austral and Confort experience
TourMag - Club Austral and Confort class enhancements

Upgrading and commercial innovation: Ciel Plus and anticipating passenger needs

A strong commercial dimension accompanies the physical improvements in the Club Austral and Confort classes. As part of its opportunity management and revenue optimization strategies, Air Austral has launched smart, flexible upgrade options based on technology partnerships and dynamic offer models. The Ciel Plus service, developed in collaboration with PlusGrade, represents a modern approach to upgrading: eligible passengers can bid for access to seats in Club Austral or superior classes, with a broader travel experience and notable advantages in terms of space, comfort and service. This multi-platform solution draws on traveler behavior data to offer relevant opportunities tailored to each itinerary and profile. The aim is to transform the intention to improve one's seat into a concrete, measurable action, while offering transparency on options and fares. The evolution of offer management tools and booking channels contributes to increasing the perceived value of the Air Austral offer and securing additional revenues without degrading the flight experience for customers who remain in economy or premium class. The initiative goes hand in hand with initiatives such as improving the culinary offer and renewing comfort accessories, to create a more cohesive and premium experience from the beginning to the end of the journey. Advance purchase tools and digital channels are leveraged to facilitate the upgrade process and offer clear added value for travelers wishing to increase their comfort without waiting until the day of departure. For international and one-off travelers, this approach offers a simple and effective alternative for accessing high-level services, with the emphasis on harmonious coexistence with competing airline offers and opportunities for interline cooperation. Competitors such as Air France, Corsair, Air Caraïbes, French Bee and airlines belonging to the Lufthansa group, Emirates, Qatar Airways and Turkish Airlines serve as a benchmark for adjusting prices and services, while enabling Air Austral to position itself as a competitive and differentiated option in the Indian Ocean. For travelers wishing to find out more about the program's conditions and mechanisms, the help pages and dedicated sections on the Air Austral website provide information on service categories and how to access Ciel Plus and other available upgrade options. This framework is designed to offer a smoother, more personalized travel experience, while remaining true to the local identity and sense of service that characterize the airline.

• Upgrade via Ciel Plus: offer upgrades via PlusGrade, with dynamic pricing and route-based prioritization.
• Easier access to Club Austral cabins on long-haul flights and specific routes.
• Integration with loyalty programs and advance purchase options for greater perceived value.
• Synchronization between culinary offerings and comfort for a consistent experience throughout the trip.
• Targeted comparison with competitors' standards to adjust rates and packages.

Ciel Plus - Powered by PlusGrade
Details of proposed travel classes

Strategic impact and outlook for 2025: Air Austral positions itself in a diversified aviation landscape

Developments in the Club Austral and Confort classes, combined with a growing emphasis on gastronomy and comfort, are reshaping Air Austral's strategic positioning in an airline industry characterized by cross-competition between regional players and major international groups. By combining fine local cuisine, redesigned comfort kits and innovative upgrade options, Air Austral is moving closer to a premium travel model while retaining a strong local identity. In this context, comparisons with the offerings of the major players - notably Air France, Lufthansa and Turkish Airlines - become relevant in assessing service levels, prices and the expectations of international customers. The long-haul network is an arena where details make the difference, and the boldness of presenting signature dishes and carefully selected wines helps create a narrative that goes beyond transport alone. The new offer also illustrates a response to the challenge of customer loyalty and sustainable growth in a region where access and connectivity remain key issues. Air Austral's approach is based on a combination of elements: a cabin architecture harmonized between Club and Comfort, progressive and measurable improvements, and communication that highlights local specificities, while aligning with international service and safety standards. For passengers, this means a more consistent experience, clearer options and a greater sense of value at every stage of the journey, from pre-boarding lounge to landing. Operationally, resource management and long-haul flight scheduling can benefit from these improvements, helping to optimize service levels and improve customer satisfaction. From a competitive point of view, Air Austral can benefit from a positioning that combines authenticity and quality, while retaining the flexibility needed to adapt to market changes. Partnerships with designers and sommeliers, as well as local production choices, are strong points that can attract customers seeking richer, more personal travel experiences. Developments such as enhanced on-board services and upgrade options are in line with growing demand for more accessible and personalized travel, while offering a strong narrative around Reunion's terroir and savoir-faire. As such, and despite a sector subject to economic variations and fluctuations in demand, Air Austral remains a local reference with a perspective of international integration and openness, ready to exploit the opportunities offered by emerging markets and sustained tourist flows. The competitive landscape includes travel insurers and globalized operators, but Air Austral's voice and inventiveness remain distinctive assets that sustain the company's growth and influence in the Indian Ocean and beyond. As for future prospects, they can be seen in the opportunities to renew offers and in the ability to extend the Club Austral and Confort offers to more routes, while continuing to ensure the guarantees of safety and quality sought by passengers.

• Balancing local heritage and international excellence for sustainable differentiation.
• Progressive development of services and products in target markets, with a particular focus on the customer experience.
• Use customer feedback and data analysis to continuously adjust our offer and pricing.
• Integration of collaborations with chefs and sommeliers to affirm the brand's culinary identity.
• Reference to global players in the sector to guarantee safety and quality standards.

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The links below reinforce the overall framework for observing and comparing performance and trends in commercial aviation, reminding us that air travel is evolving under the influence of diverse players and a network of economic and technological antennae. The articles and analyses mentioned above, together with data on innovations and partnerships, give a clear idea of the factors influencing airline choices and traveler expectations in 2025 and beyond. In this context, Air Austral is striving to create an experience that can be measured not only in terms of comfort and gastronomy, but also in terms of value and a sense of belonging to a brand that is authentically Reunionese and resolutely forward-looking. The result is an offering that seeks to combine a sense of travel, adaptability and operational excellence, to appeal to a public that expects richer, more personalized experiences at every stage of the journey.

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