Search & book flights with Air Sierra Leone
Buy Air Sierra Leone flights with Alternative Airlines
Flying to Sierra Leone has become much easier thanks to Air Sierra Leone - the country’s first national airline in over 15 years. With direct flights from London and key West African cities, it’s a game-changer for both locals and the global Sierra Leonean community. Whether you’re heading home, visiting family or travelling for business, Air Sierra Leone offers a more direct and culturally connected way to fly.
About Air Sierra Leone ✈️
Air Sierra Leone launched in January 2025, marking the return of a national airline after a 15-year gap. Privately owned and supported by international partners, the airline was created to reconnect Sierra Leone with the world.
With its main hub at Lungi International Airport in Freetown, it plays a key role in linking the country to regional cities like Lagos and major hubs like London. The airline is focused on boosting connectivity for both business and diaspora travellers, while working through regulatory challenges to expand its reach across West Africa and eventually to the US.
Where does Air Sierra Leone fly to?
Air Sierra Leone currently connects Freetown to two major destinations, with plans to expand further across West Africa and beyond.
Freetown, Sierra Leone 📍
Freetown is the airline’s home and primary hub. All flights begin or end here, making it a vital gateway for both regional and international travellers. The airport is positioned as a future West African hub, designed to feed traffic into long-haul routes.
Lagos, Nigeria 📍
Lagos is a key regional route, operated three times a week. It links two major West African economies and offers strong demand from business and diaspora travellers. This route helps Air Sierra Leone strengthen its presence in the regional aviation market.
London, United Kingdom 📍
The London route connects Sierra Leone directly to its large UK-based diaspora community. Operated under a partnership with Ascend Airways, the service runs three times a week and is designed with diaspora travel in mind. With competitive fares and generous baggage allowances, it’s already proving popular.
More regional destinations, including Accra, Dakar and Monrovia, are planned as part of the airline’s next phase of growth.
Air Sierra Leone flight schedule
Air Sierra Leone operates a regular schedule on both its current routes, with timings designed to support onward connections and convenience for diaspora travellers.
Freetown - Lagos 🛬
- Flights operate three times a week: Monday, Wednesday and Friday.
- This regional route uses a 50-seat Embraer ERJ-145 aircraft and is ideal for short-haul travel across West Africa.
Freetown - London Gatwick 🛬
- This route also runs three times a week with varying seasonal schedules.
- Flights from London depart at 23:00, landing in Freetown at 05:00 the following day (check out our tips on red-eye flights!). Return flights leave Freetown at 09:00, arriving at Gatwick by 17:00.
- The London service is operated with a wet-leased Boeing 737 MAX 8.
Schedules may adjust seasonally or based on demand, especially around peak travel times such as holidays and summer periods.
Check-in for your Air Sierra Leone flight
Online check-in 📱
- Opens 24 hours before your flight and closes 3 hours before departure
- Head to Air Sierra Leone's official website to check in and get your boarding pass
- Print it or save it to your phone
At the airport - Lungi International 🛫
- Arrive at least 3 hours early
- Bring your passport (valid for 6+ months), visa and proof of Yellow Fever vaccination
- Pay the mandatory $25 airport security fee online or at approved agents
- You’ll go through thermal screening, check-in, baggage drop, immigration and security
Arriving in Sierra Leone 🛬
- Health officials may collect a health declaration and check your temperature
- Immigration comes next - e-gates for machine-readable passports, manual booths for others
- Pick up your bags and continue your journey
How to book Air Sierra Leone flights
Booking Air Sierra Leone flights at Alternative Airlines is quick and flexible. Whether you’re after a one-way, return or multi-city trip, we’ve got you covered. Here's how to book:
- Search for your route. Enter your departure and arrival cities, travel dates and number of passengers on our search page.
- Choose your flights. We’ll show you all available Air Sierra Leone options. Filter by time, price or journey length to find the one that fits.
- Pick how you want to pay. Choose from 40+ ways to pay, including Klarna, Affirm and PayPal Credit, to spread the cost if you need to.
- Book with confidence. Add flight protection if you want it, then confirm your booking. We'll send instant confirmation to your inbox.
Whether you're booking a direct flight or planning a stopover, it’s all in one place.
Best time to book Air Sierra Leone flights
Air Sierra Leone flights typically range from £600-£900 return for London to Freetown, depending on the season.
Regional routes like Freetown to Lagos can start from around £250 one-way.
Prices can rise fast around Christmas, Easter and summer holidays, so booking early is your best bet.
At Alternative Airlines, you can secure today’s price and spread the cost with Buy Now Pay Later plans. It’s a great way to avoid last-minute fare hikes.
💡 Top tip: Midweek flights are usually cheaper than weekends, and flying outside of peak seasons (July-August and December) can save you a bundle.
On-board experience with Air Sierra Leone
When flying with Air Sierra Leone, the onboard experience blends comfort, culture and simplicity, especially designed for Sierra Leonean travellers and the diaspora community.
Cabin classes 💺
Air Sierra Leone offers two cabin experiences depending on your route:
- London flights (Boeing 737 MAX 8): A two-class setup with Premium Economy and Economy seating. Even in Economy, passengers have praised the space, with full leather seats and generous legroom that feels close to a business class setup on other airlines.
- Regional flights (Embraer ERJ-145): These operate in a single-class layout, with 50 seats in a 1-2 configuration. Perfect for shorter journeys with a smooth boarding process.
Baggage policy 🧳
- Air Sierra Leone offers 2 x 23kg checked bags as standard on its London route, even on the lowest fares. This is ideal for travellers visiting family or relocating between the UK and Sierra Leone.
- Hand luggage limits haven’t been officially published yet, but most passengers are allowed a cabin bag and personal item.
In-flight service 🍴
- You’ll get a real taste of home in the sky. Meals feature traditional Sierra Leonean dishes like cassava leaves and rice, with generous portions and a strong focus on cultural identity.
- While in-flight entertainment is limited (there are no seatback screens), the warm and friendly cabin crew help make the journey memorable.
WiFi and extras 🛜
- There’s no WiFi onboard yet and entertainment is BYOD (bring your own device). For now, the airline keeps it simple, but plans for upgraded services are in the works as operations grow.
Customer service 🤝
Passengers frequently praise the welcoming and helpful crew, punctual flights and smooth baggage handling. The airline may be new, but its customer care is already setting a high bar, with plenty of attention to detail and a genuine connection to the Sierra Leonean community.
Travel tips for flying to Sierra Leone
Airport information 🛫
- All international flights arrive at Lungi International Airport (FNA), located across the river from Freetown. It’s the main gateway into the country and Air Sierra Leone’s home hub.
Arrival time 🕐
- For international departures, aim to arrive at least 3 hours before your flight. Lungi Airport can get busy, and check-in queues may take time, especially on London-bound flights.
Transport from the airport 🛥️
- Getting from Lungi to central Freetown involves a bit of planning. The quickest option is a water taxi or hovercraft, which takes around 30 minutes.
- There are also car ferry services and overland taxis, but journey times can stretch to 2-3 hours depending on traffic and wait times. We suggest pre-booking your transfer for peace of mind.
Entry requirements 💳
- Most travellers need a visa to enter Sierra Leone. You can apply online via the government’s eVisa portal or get one on arrival (though advance application is safer).
- A yellow fever vaccination certificate is required for all visitors - you’ll be asked to show it when you land.
Keep your documents, travel plan and any health paperwork handy, and enjoy a warm Sierra Leonean welcome the moment you land.
Alternatives to Air Sierra Leone
If Air Sierra Leone doesn’t match your travel plans, there are a few other airlines offering flights to and from Sierra Leone, though most involve layovers and higher fares.
More than 100,000 happy customers per year
This was my first booking and I used Alternative Airlines twice on this trip. I must say by far the best online booking experience ever.
Buy now, pay later
Buy your flights now and pay later
No way, really?! Yes! We’ve partnered with some amazing BNPL payment providers to allow you to pay for your flights over time, with ease.