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RwandAir (WB) Guide

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Flights from Kigali across Africa and to Europe and the Middle East, fleet and cabins, baggage, check-in and how to find cheaper RwandAir fares. Ask a question
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In short

RwandAir is the flag carrier of Rwanda, based at Kigali International. It flies to about 25 destinations in East, West and Southern Africa, Europe and the Middle East, and Kigali works as a connection point within Africa. RwandAir has no alliance and runs Dream Miles. Cabins are Business, Premium Economy and Economy.

RwandAir is the government-owned national airline of Rwanda, built around a connecting hub in Kigali.

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

What to expect

RwandAir is the government-owned national airline of Rwanda, headquartered at Kigali International Airport (KGL), which is also its main hub. It flies 35 routes to 21 countries across Africa, Europe and the Middle East, with operating bases in Cotonou, Benin, and Accra, Ghana. It suits travellers connecting between East, Central and West Africa through Kigali, and those flying between Africa and Europe or the Gulf.

From Rwandair Express to RwandAir

The airline was founded on 1 December 2002 as Rwandair Express and began flying on 27 April 2003. It took the name RwandAir in June 2009, reportedly because the word Express made it sound like a small regional operator. In May 2010 the head office moved to the top floor of the Kigali International Airport main building, where it remains.

Ownership and leadership

The Government of Rwanda owns RwandAir, and the airline has relied on state grants and subsidies after years of losses. Yvonne Manzi Makolo has been chief executive since April 2018, after serving as deputy chief executive for corporate affairs. A plan for Qatar Airways to take a 49 percent stake has been reported, though accounts of whether it was completed differ.

Where does RwandAir fly?

As of December 2024 RwandAir served 21 countries on 35 routes. Most are in Africa, covering East, Central, West and Southern Africa. Outside the continent it flies to Brussels, Paris, London, Dubai and Doha; Tel Aviv is suspended. The bases in Cotonou and Accra support its West African flying.

Partners and the oneworld plan

RwandAir codeshares with Brussels Airlines, Ethiopian Airlines, Qatar Airways, South African Airways and Turkish Airlines, and has interline agreements with Emirates and APG Airlines. In September 2022 it announced plans to join oneworld, with Qatar Airways as its sponsor. It joined IATA as a member in May 2015.

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

Checked against trusted sources:
RwandAir official website

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  1. RwandAir official website
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Good to know

  • Founded2002
  • Other gatewaysCOO / ACC
  • Online check-inYes

Everything you should know

Airline codes

WB · RWD

IATA · ICAO · callsign “RWANDAIR”

RwandAir’s IATA code is WB, its ICAO code is RWD, and the radio callsign is RWANDAIR. Type WB and your flight number into a status search to follow a RwandAir flight.

Key facts

Main hub

Kigali (KGL)

Kigali International

Also flies abroad fromCotonou (COO) · Accra (ACC)

Network

About 25 destinations

East · West · Southern Africa · Europe · Middle East

RwandAir links Kigali with East, West and Southern Africa, and flies A330s to Europe and the Gulf.

Destinations

Cabin classes

Economy

and Premium Economy, Business

Business, Premium Economy and Economy on the A330; Business and Economy on most other aircraft.

Compare cabins

Good to know

RwandAir works closely with Qatar Airways, which has been reported as buying a minority stake. It has bases in Cotonou and Accra for West African flights. Official website: rwandair.com.

Frequent flyer

Dream Miles

No global alliance

RwandAir is not in an alliance (it announced plans to join oneworld in 2022); its frequent flyer programme is Dream Miles.

How it works

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At a glance

RwandAir (IATA: WB, ICAO: RWD) is the flag carrier of Rwanda, founded in 2002 and based at Kigali International Airport. It flies about 16 Airbus A330, Boeing 737 and regional aircraft to around 25 destinations in Africa, Europe and the Middle East.

Key facts about RwandAir
HeadquartersKigali International Airport, Kigali, Rwanda
Fleet typesAirbus A330-200/-300, Boeing 737-800, 737-700, CRJ900, Dash 8
Frequent flyerDream Miles
Official websiterwandair.com

Flight routes

Destinations and routes

Direct routes
These are the cities on RwandAir’s published route map. Timetables change through the year, so check the RwandAir schedule before you plan around a route. Search flights

East Africa

Kigali (KGL) departures5 destinations

Check all

Fleet and aircraft

RwandAir had 17 aircraft in August 2026. Long-haul and busy routes use three Airbus A330-200s with 244 seats and one A330-300 with 274 seats. Seven Boeing 737-800s with 154 seats form the core of the regional fleet, alongside one 737-700 with 120 seats. Two Bombardier CRJ900ERs with 75 seats and two Dash 8 turboprops with 67 seats fly shorter routes; the CRJs and the 737-700 are due to be retired. A Boeing 737-800 freighter carries cargo, with a second on order.

  • Airbus A330-200 Wide-body Europe, the Gulf and busy African routes
  • Airbus A330-300 Wide-body Europe, the Gulf and busy African routes
  • Boeing 737-800 Narrow-body Regional African routes
  • Boeing 737-700 Narrow-body Regional African routes
  • Bombardier CRJ900ER Regional jet · 2 Short routes (being retired)
  • De Havilland Canada Dash 8 Turboprop · 2 Short regional routes

Cabin classes

Travellers can book Business and Economy, and some aircraft also have a premium economy section.

Economy All flights

Full service

MealsChecked bag included

Premium Economy Selected aircraft

More legroom

Extra spacePriority services

Business Most aircraft

Flat beds on the A330

Lounge access in KigaliPriority servicesExtra baggage

Dream Miles

Dream Miles is RwandAir’s frequent flyer scheme, and you can sign up on rwandair.com.

DreamMiles is the RwandAir frequent flyer programme. Members earn miles on RwandAir flights and redeem them for award travel.

Baggage allowance

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

Checked baggage
On your e-ticket
Cabin baggage
Depends on fare
Extra bags
Cheaper before you fly
Power banks
Cabin bag only

Allowances depend on route, cabin and fare and are shown on your e-ticket.

Pro tip: Check the baggage allowance for your fare in your booking before you travel, as it varies by route and cabin, and allow time in Kigali if you connect between two RwandAir flights.
Travel day

Online Check-in

RwandAir offers online check-in from 48 hours before departure through the Manage My Trip section of rwandair.com. The airline holds IATA's ISAGO certification for ground operations, received in 2016.

  • Online check-in available
  1. Step 1

    Check in online

    Where your flight allows it, check in on rwandair.com or app with your surname and booking reference or e-ticket number.

    Booking ref + surname
  2. Step 2

    Prepare your documents

    International RwandAir passengers need a passport and whatever visa, residence permit or entry documents the destination requires. Domestic WB passengers should bring a photo ID the airline accepts.

    Passport · visa · ID
  3. Step 3

    Arrive early

    RwandAir closes its check-in counters before departure, and passengers who miss the cut-off can be refused boarding. Leave room for bag drop and security at KGL.

    Well before departure
  4. Step 4

    Drop your bags

    RwandAir 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 WB trip.

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

Cheap tickets

A few booking habits that tend to cut the cost of flying RwandAir.

  1. 01

    Look across the week

    Compare a full week of RwandAir departures; midweek days are often priced below Fridays and Sundays.

    Midweek flights
  2. 02

    Avoid peak seasons

    Christmas and the June–September dry season, popular for gorilla trekking, are the busiest periods.

    Holidays & gorilla season
  3. 03

    Check what each RwandAir fare includes

    A RwandAir fare that includes a checked bag, seat choice or cheaper changes can cost less overall than adding those extras later.

    Baggage & changes

  4. Ready to compare fares?

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

    Search RwandAir flights

Reviews and questions

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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Everything travellers ask before flying RwandAir.
Answers checked against RwandAir’s official sources and public aviation references, and reviewed each season.

General

RwandAir is based at Kigali International Airport in Rwanda, its main hub. The airline also lists Cotonou in Benin as a hub and Accra in Ghana as an operating base for flights within West Africa.