Dubai → Mahé

Dubai to the Seychelles is one of the Indian Ocean's most exclusive private jet routes — a 1,900-nautical-mile journey that transports Gulf-based UHNW families, honeymooners, and leisure travelers from the ultra-modern metropolis of Dubai to one of Earth's most pristine archipelagos. The Seychelles, with its granite peaks, powder-white beaches, and strict environmental protections that limit development, represents the antithesis of Dubai's built environment — and that contrast is precisely the appeal. For clients who have already experienced the Maldives and seek something wilder, more intimate, and less manicured, the Seychelles delivers. Chartering this 4.5-hour route means arriving on your own schedule, bypassing the limited commercial flight options, and ensuring your luggage — including diving equipment, fishing gear, and resort wardrobes — arrives intact and on time.

Airport & FBO Analysis

Departures from Dubai Al Maktoum International Airport (OMDW) use the VIP terminal facilities operated by Jetex and DC Aviation. The OMDW experience is notably more relaxed than Dubai International, with faster immigration processing and a dedicated lounge environment that feels more like a private club than an airport. Ground handling teams here are well-versed in resort-bound departures and can coordinate specialized catering, including halal and dietary-specific meals for the overwater journey.

Arrival at Seychelles International Airport (FSIA) on Mahe island brings passengers to a compact but efficient facility. The airport handles private jet arrivals through a dedicated VIP channel, with immigration and customs typically processed within 15 to 20 minutes. The runway at FSIA accommodates all heavy jet types. Onward transfers to Praslin, La Digue, or private island resorts are arranged via Zil Air helicopter services or domestic Air Seychelles turboprop flights, both of which should be pre-coordinated with your arrival time.

Aircraft Recommendations

At 1,900 nautical miles and approximately 4 hours 30 minutes of flight time, this route requires at minimum a super-midsize jet with strong range performance. A Challenger 350 or Praetor 600 can make the distance comfortably, pricing between $48,000 and $68,000, and offers a stand-up cabin suitable for the journey length. For larger groups or those prioritizing maximum cabin comfort on what is essentially a half-day flight, a heavy jet like the Challenger 650 or Global 5500 ranges from $72,000 to $100,000 and provides the space, lie-flat seating, and baggage volume that resort-bound travelers appreciate.

Seasonal Pricing Intelligence

The Seychelles has two monsoon-influenced seasons that shape charter demand. The dry southeast trade wind season from May through September offers the driest weather and the best conditions for sailing and beach activities, making it the peak for European and Gulf leisure travelers. A second peak surrounds Christmas and New Year from December through January, when resort rates double and charter demand spikes accordingly. The shoulder months of March through April and October through November offer favorable pricing with 10 to 20 percent discounts, warm weather, and calm seas ideal for diving. The Seychelles Carnival in April and whale watching season add additional travel motivations during these quieter periods.

Ground Experience

On Mahe, the Four Seasons Resort Seychelles and the Maia Luxury Resort and Spa are the premier clifftop accommodations, both offering helicopter pad access and private beach villas. On Praslin, the Raffles Seychelles and Constance Lemuria provide championship-level golf alongside world-class beaches. For the ultimate in exclusivity, private island resorts such as North Island and Fregate Island Private offer complete seclusion with dedicated staff-to-guest ratios. Ground transfers on the main islands are typically arranged through resort concierges, with most properties offering airport meet-and-greet and chauffeured transfer services.

Booking Tips

• Book at least two weeks in advance for dry season travel (May through September) and three to four weeks ahead for Christmas and New Year, when both resort and aircraft availability become constrained.
• Pre-arrange inter-island helicopter transfers through Zil Air before confirming your charter timing — helicopter availability can be the bottleneck during peak season.
• Empty leg opportunities from Seychelles back to Dubai emerge when aircraft reposition after one-way drop-offs, offering potential savings of 25 to 35 percent on the return journey.
• The Seychelles has strict biosecurity regulations — ensure your charter operator coordinates any food items, plant materials, or special cargo through customs in advance to avoid delays on arrival.