What should I do if my flight to Seychelles is delayed by 24 hours?

Flight delays on major routes like Paris (CDG) to Mahé via Abu Dhabi are uncommon but can happen due to technical issues or weather. If you experience a **24-hour delay with Etihad**, you are entitled to comprehensive care including meals, hotel accommodation, and communication. Because your journey originates in the EU (Paris), you are specifically protected by EC Regulation 261/2004, which provides for compensation and care for long delays.

If your flight is delayed by a full day, the airline will typically provide a hotel stay in Abu Dhabi (AUH) during your layover. It is vital to keep all receipts for out-of-pocket expenses. Once you arrive at **Seychelles International Airport (SEZ)** on Mahé, your first priority should be managing the "ripple effect" on your local bookings. Most Seychelles hotels and guesthouses in areas like **Beau Vallon** or **Anse Royale** are accustomed to flight schedule changes and are generally accommodating if notified promptly.

**Managing your Seychelles logistics after a delay:** * **Domestic Transfers:** If you have a connecting flight to **Praslin** with Air Seychelles, they are usually very flexible. Go to the domestic terminal desk; if there is space on the next flight, they will often move you for a small fee or even for free if the delay was well-documented, though a formal change fee can be around **SCR 500-800**. * **Ferry Services:** For the Cat Cocos ferry to Praslin or La Digue, you can modify your booking at the pier in **Victoria**. While tickets are non-refundable, they are usually valid for one year, and you can change your departure time/date for a small administrative fee (approx. **SCR 100-200**). * **Car Rentals:** Most local car hire companies at the airport will hold your vehicle if you provide your new flight number. * **Connectivity:** Pick up a local SIM card at the airport from Cable & Wireless or Airtel. A basic data pack costs between **SCR 300-600** and is essential for messaging your hosts via WhatsApp, which is the primary mode of communication in the islands.

**Local Insider Pro Tips:** Do not wait until you land in Mahé to contact your accommodation. Use the airport Wi-Fi in Abu Dhabi to send a quick message to your guesthouse or hotel. If you are staying at a small self-catering establishment, they may need to rearrange their check-in staff to meet you at a different time. For those heading to **La Digue**, remember that the last ferry usually leaves Mahé by 16:30 or 17:00; a 24-hour delay might mean you arrive too late for the boat and need an emergency night's stay on Mahé. A decent budget guesthouse near the airport or in Victoria will cost roughly **SCR 1,200-1,800** for a last-minute booking.

Finally, remember that you may be eligible for up to **600 EUR in compensation** per person for a 24-hour delay on a flight from the EU. This can more than cover any lost night of accommodation or rebooking fees you incur locally. Always keep your original boarding passes and a photo of the delay notice provided by the airline to make your claim easier once your holiday is over.