Air Austral is a French regional airline based on the island of Réunion, an overseas territory of France located in the Indian Ocean. Founded in 1990, the carrier operates scheduled passenger services linking Réunion with metropolitan France, other Indian Ocean islands, and destinations across Africa, Asia, and Australia. The airline plays a vital role in connecting Réunion's population of nearly one million residents with the wider world, serving as the primary carrier for the island. It operates out of Roland Garros Airport in Saint-Denis and has historically maintained a reputation for reliable service on long-haul routes between the Indian Ocean and Europe. Air Austral has pursued innovation in its fleet strategy, notably operating Boeing 787 Dreamliners on ultra-long-haul routes and being one of the first airlines to operate the Boeing 777-200LR in a high-density single-class configuration on the Paris–Réunion route to maximize affordability for travelers.