Skip to content

Aircalin (SB) Guide

No reviews yet Airline
Aircalin flies from La Tontouta International (NOU) to places such as Bangkok and Papeete. This guide covers that network, the Aircalin fleet and cabins, baggage, check-in and how to pay less. Ask a question
In short

Aircalin is the flag carrier of New Caledonia, based at La Tontouta International near Nouméa. Airbus A330neo and A320neo jets reach 11 destinations in the Pacific, Australia, New Zealand, Asia and France, linking the territory to the wider world. Aircalin is not in an alliance and links to Flying Blue for points. Cabins are Business and Economy.

Aircalin, also known as Air Calédonie International, is the flag carrier of New Caledonia and is almost wholly owned by the territory’s government. From La Tontouta International Airport it flies across Oceania and to Asia and Paris, and runs domestic services in Wallis and Futuna.

Please note: bookingMentor is an independent travel service and is not affiliated with Aircalin. Routes, schedules, fleet and baggage rules change, so always confirm the details of your booking with the airline.

What to expect

Aircalin (IATA: SB, ICAO: ACI), also known as Air Calédonie International, is the international flag carrier of New Caledonia, headquartered in Nouméa with its hub at La Tontouta International Airport. It flies Airbus jets to Australia, New Zealand, Pacific islands, Asia and the French territory of Wallis and Futuna, and it suits travellers flying into New Caledonia or between it and its Pacific neighbours.

Air Calédonie International and its owners

Aircalin was founded in September 1983 as Air Calédonie International, separate from the domestic airline Air Calédonie. The Government of New Caledonia owns 99% of the company, and the remaining 1% is held by minority owners, including employees.

Eleven routes from La Tontouta

Published records list 11 destinations. From La Tontouta, Aircalin serves Sydney and Brisbane in Australia, Auckland in New Zealand, Nadi in Fiji, Papeete in French Polynesia, Port Vila in Vanuatu and Wallis, plus Asian routes. Many former routes are now marked as ended, so check the live network when you plan. Wallis and Futuna flights are counted as domestic services.

Getting to Nouméa

La Tontouta is the international airport, and domestic Air Calédonie flights to the Loyalty Islands use Magenta Airport in Nouméa. If you plan to continue to Lifou, Maré or Ouvéa after an Aircalin arrival, check which airport the domestic flight uses and allow road time between the two.

Fact-checked by the bookingMentor Travel Desk Reviewed · Updated when rules or prices change

Checked against trusted sources:
Aircalin official website

See the source
  1. Aircalin official website
Travelled through Aircalin? Your review helps other travellers.

Good to know

  • Founded1983

Everything you should know

Airline codes

SB · ACI

IATA · ICAO · callsign “AIRCALIN”

Every Aircalin flight number begins with SB. Flight-tracking sites and air traffic control use the ICAO code ACI, and the radio callsign is AIRCALIN.

Main hub

Nouméa (NOU)

La Tontouta International

Network

11 destinations

New Caledonia · Pacific · Australia · New Zealand · Asia · France

From Nouméa La Tontouta, Aircalin flies to Sydney, Brisbane, Auckland, Nadi, Papeete, Port Vila, Wallis, Singapore, Bangkok and Paris.

Cabin classes

Business

and Economy

The Airbus A330-900 has business, premium economy and economy; the A320neo has premium economy and economy. The A330-900 has three cabins: 26 business class seats, 21 premium economy seats and 244 economy seats. The A320neo has 8 premium economy seats and 160 economy seats, so there is no business class on the regional jets.

Good to know

Aircalin participates in Flying Blue, the Air France–KLM loyalty programme. Aircalin’s own website is aircalin.com.

Frequent flyer

Flying Blue

No global alliance

Aircalin stays outside the three global alliances. Points from its flights go into Flying Blue.

Start a new search

One bookingMentor search puts an Aircalin ticket next to every other option on your route, so you can see which airline gives the better deal.

Enjoy your Aircalin flight!

Select dates

At a glance

Aircalin (IATA: SB, ICAO: ACI) is the flag carrier of New Caledonia, based at La Tontouta International Airport near Nouméa. Founded in 1983, it flies Airbus A330neo and A320neo aircraft to Australia, New Zealand, the Pacific, Singapore, Bangkok and Paris.

Key facts about Aircalin
HeadquartersNouméa, New Caledonia
Fleet typesAirbus A330-900 and A320neo (A350-900 on order)
Frequent flyerFlying Blue
Official websiteaircalin.com

Flight routes

Destinations and routes

Direct routes
Destinations listed in Aircalin’s published network, grouped by region. Seasonal and new Aircalin routes come and go, so check the schedule for your dates. Search flights

Pacific

Nouméa (NOU) departures5 destinations

Check all

Fleet and aircraft

As of August 2025 Aircalin had four aircraft: two Airbus A330-900s (A330neo) with 291 seats and two Airbus A320neos with 168 seats. Two Airbus A350-900s are on order, with the seating not yet announced.

  • Airbus A330-900 Wide-body · 2 in service Long-haul routes
  • Airbus A320neo Narrow-body · 2 in service Regional Pacific routes

Cabin classes

On Aircalin you can choose from Business and Economy, depending on the route and the aircraft.

Business All aircraft

Business class

Business class on Aircalin flights.

Lie-flat on the A330neo

Economy All flights

Standard seat

The main cabin.

Meals

Flying Blue

Aircalin flights earn miles in the Air France–KLM programme.

Aircalin has participated in Flying Blue since 2003 (and in Air France’s earlier programme since 1997), so eligible Aircalin flights earn and burn Flying Blue miles.

Aircalin is a Flying Blue partner, the frequent flyer programme of Air France and KLM. The partnership goes back to 1997, when Aircalin joined Air France's Fréquence Plus programme, and moved to Flying Blue when that programme launched in 2003. Members earn and spend Miles on Aircalin flights. Aircalin is not part of a global alliance.

Baggage allowance

Aircalin does not give every passenger the same allowance: the route, the cabin and the fare you buy each change it. Your SB e-ticket shows what you have.

Checked baggage
On your e-ticket
Cabin baggage
Set by your fare
Extra bags
Add online before you fly
Power banks
Cabin bag only

Aircalin sets the allowance by cabin and route, and the A330-900 and A320neo routes can differ. Your e-ticket shows the figure.

Pro tip: if you continue on a domestic Air Calédonie flight after landing at La Tontouta, check that flight's allowance separately before you pack.
Travel day

Online Check-in

Getting through check-in for Aircalin is simpler in this order. Start online and finish at bag drop.

  1. Step 1

    Check in online

    Online check-in for SB flights is on the official Aircalin website. You need the SB booking reference or e-ticket number and the passenger’s surname.

    Booking ref + surname
  2. Step 2

    Prepare your documents

    Pack your passport plus any visa, residence permit or entry papers your destination asks for. Domestic SB passengers should bring a photo ID the airline accepts.

    Passport · visa · ID
  3. Step 3

    Arrive early

    Get to the airport with time for Aircalin check-in, bag drop and security. The airline sets a deadline for each airport, shown in your booking, and late arrivals can lose their seat.

    Check your deadline
  4. Step 4

    Drop your bags

    Aircalin desks and bag-drop points take your hold luggage. Keep the bag-tag receipt with your boarding pass until the bags come off at the end of your SB trip.

    Aircalin counter
Ready to check in? Check in and manage your booking on the official Aircalin website.
Save money

Cheap tickets

How to find a cheaper Aircalin fare without giving up the bag or seat you need.

  1. 01

    Be flexible with your Aircalin dates

    Aircalin fares are often lower on midweek departures. Search a spread of dates around your trip to find the cheaper days.

    Midweek flights
  2. 02

    Steer clear of peak weeks

    Holiday peaks push up fares on routes from Nouméa. Shift your Aircalin trip just outside them where you can.

    School holidays · festivals
  3. 03

    Price the bundle, not the base fare

    Look at the next Aircalin fare up: if it bundles a hold bag or easier changes, it may beat the basic fare plus extras.

    Baggage & changes
  4. 04

    Mind the two Nouméa airports

    Aircalin uses La Tontouta (NOU); domestic Air Calédonie flights use Magenta (GEA). Plan time to transfer between them.

    NOU vs GEA
  5. 05

    Join Flying Blue

    Membership of Flying Blue lets your Aircalin trips count towards rewards, and members hear about offers first.

    Before you fly
  6. Ready to compare fares?

    Search Aircalin alongside every other airline on your route, with flexible dates.

    Search Aircalin flights

Reviews and questions

Contribute:
No reviews yetFlown Aircalin recently? Be the first to share your experience with other travellers.

Visitors are asking

Still looking?

Get an answer from the bookingMentor travel team and travellers who have flown Aircalin.

Need help?

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Everything travellers ask before flying Aircalin.
We checked these Aircalin answers with the airline’s own pages and public airline records on 10 October 2026.

General

Aircalin is based at La Tontouta International Airport, which serves Nouméa, New Caledonia. The airport is outside the city, so allow time for the transfer when planning arrivals and departures.