How it works

From your first message to your boarding pass — and the answers to what people ask us most.

STEP 1

You send it

Route, dates and any information that we'll need for your flight.

STEP 2

We price it

A live Travel Expert prices it by hand, Mon–Fri 09:30–17:30.

STEP 3

You confirm

Secure your seat with a deposit, or pay in full. No hidden fees.

Why aren't prices shown on the site?+

We're connecting our live fare system. Until then a live Travel Expert prices your route by hand, checking baggage, stopovers and airline rules — which is often cheaper than the fare you'd find online, and always more suited to how you actually travel.

How fast will someone come back to me?+

During opening hours — Monday to Friday, 09:30 to 17:30 — a Travel Expert picks up your itinerary and comes back to you by phone or WhatsApp. Requests sent overnight or at the weekend are answered the next working morning.

Can I pay in instalments?+

Yes. You can secure your seat with a deposit of your full payment and settle the balance before you fly. Ask your agent when they call and they'll set out the dates in plain terms. No hidden fees.

Are my flights protected?+

Yes. MV First Travel Ltd holds ATOL licence 10038 and we are IATA-approved agents. Your ATOL certificate is issued with your booking confirmation.

Do you only book West Africa?+

No. West Africa is our specialism — Lagos, Accra, Freetown, Banjul, Abuja and more — but we book worldwide leisure, business and long-stay fares every day.

Can you help with visas, groups or extra baggage?+

Yes. We advise on the paperwork your trip needs, keep family and group seats together, and arrange extra baggage or cargo before you fly. Mention it when you send your itinerary.

Can I come into the office?+

Yes — we're at 118 Higham Hill Business Centre, 313 Billet Rd, London E17 5PX, Monday to Friday 09:30 to 17:30. Call ahead on 020 8279 8599 so the right agent is free when you arrive.

Terms and conditions

Please read these before you book. Your Travel Expert will go through anything that isn't clear.

Bookings made more than 4 weeks before travel

A minimum deposit of 50% is required to secure your scheduled booking. Full payment is required 4 weeks prior to departure.

Bookings inside 4 weeks

Full payment is required. Failure to settle your balance by the due date will be treated as a cancellation and the relevant cancellation charges applied.

Paying for your booking

Payment can be made using Visa, MasterCard, Amex, Switch/Maestro, Delta or Solo cards. You can also transfer funds via internet banking or pay direct into our bank account.

Please note the date by which the final balance is due — no further reminder will be sent.

Checking your documents

Please check that all names and dates are correct on receipt of documents and advise us immediately of any errors. It is your responsibility to provide us with names exactly as they appear on the relevant passports. Any changes after a booking is confirmed will be charged — see amendments below.

Passports, visas, health and safety

It is your responsibility to ensure that you are in possession of all necessary travel and health documents before departure. A valid passport is essential when you travel abroad. Contact the appropriate embassy to check whether a visa is required. We cannot accept liability if you are refused entry into any country because of failure to carry the correct documentation, and any financial consequence will be your responsibility.

If you do not hold a Sierra Leonean or ECOWAS passport, you are required to obtain a visa from the Sierra Leone Embassy nearest to your country of residence.

Missed departure

MV First Travel regrets that it is unable to offer refunds in the event of passengers being unable to fly owing to any change in personal circumstances. We will endeavour to find you another flight at your earliest convenience, however charges will apply.

A missed flight will result in loss of 100% of the total fare paid.

Amendments & cancellation

Dates can be changed where the fare permits, for a fee of £150 plus admin — and the fare difference if the original fare is no longer available. Changes must be notified in writing immediately, before your balance due date. No changes will be made until this is done.

Cancellations and no-shows are 100% non-refundable.

Baggage allowance, per traveller

Hold — 23kg × 2 per person Hand luggage — 10kg × 1 per person

Handles, pockets and wheels must fit into the baggage gauge on display in the check-in area, and you must be able to lift the bag into the overhead locker. Occasionally there may not be space to stow all hand baggage safely on the aircraft and you may be asked at the boarding gate to check some or all of it into the hold. If the baggage is within your permitted allowance, you will not be charged for extra baggage.

Before you fly home

Please check for a flight update on your return journey 72 hours prior to your departure date.

Travel insurance

We strongly recommend that you have travel insurance cover in case of any unforeseen circumstance that warrants a claim — for your own peace of mind and security.