Air Tahiti’s all-business-class ATR 72 begins epic six-day journey to Tahiti
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Air Tahiti’s first all-business-class ATR 72-600 departed Toulouse on 13 October for a six-day delivery flight to French Polynesia, covering approximately 23,263km (14,455 miles) with stops at nine airports.
The aircraft, registered F-OPFO and named ʻĀnapanapa, will make eight flights through the Middle East, Asia, Australia and the South Pacific before reaching Papeete.
Configured with just 26 business-class seats instead of the approximately 70 seats found on conventional ATR 72s, it will operate under the new Air Tahiti Signature brand.
ATR confirmed the aircraft’s delivery on 13 October. It is the second ATR to feature the manufacturer’s HighLine all-business-class cabin, following Berjaya Air’s introduction of the configuration earlier this year.
Eight flights and nine airports: The route to Tahiti
The planned delivery itinerary takes the aircraft through Egypt, Oman, India, Malaysia, Indonesia, Australia and Fiji.
| Leg | Flight | Destination country |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Toulouse–Cairo | Egypt |
| 2 | Cairo–Muscat | Oman |
| 3 | Muscat–Hyderabad | India |
| 4 | Hyderabad–Subang | Malaysia |
| 5 | Subang–Lombok | Indonesia |
| 6 | Lombok–Cairns | Australia |
| 7 | Cairns–Nadi | Fiji |
| 8 | Nadi–Papeete | French Polynesia |
| Planned delivery route for F-OPFO | Nine airports and seven intermediate stops. |
Flight-tracking information indicates that the aircraft completed the Toulouse–Cairo sector in approximately six hours and 30 minutes, followed by a six-hour, 33-minute flight to Muscat.
The aircraft was last reported by Flightradar24 as arriving in Kuala Lumpur at 8:16 on 14 October. It has three further stops to go before it arrives in French Polynesia.
Why does the ATR 72 need so many stops?
The ATR 72-600 is designed for regional operations, typically flying sectors lasting one or two hours. Delivering one from France to French Polynesia requires a series of longer flights, with stops for fuel, crew rest and other operational requirements.
ATR quotes a range of 1,370km (740 nautical miles) for the ATR 72-600 at maximum passenger capacity. The aircraft can travel considerably farther with a reduced payload.
The manufacturer’s HighLine technical brochure specifies a range of up to 3,370km (1,820 nautical miles) with 30 passengers, EASA fuel reserves and a 100-nautical-mile alternate.
Actual ferry-flight range depends on aircraft weight, fuel loading, winds and reserve requirements.
Air Tahiti has undertaken similar multi-day delivery flights before. In June 2025, another ATR 72-600, registered F-OPFN, arrived in Papeete after an 11-day journey from Toulouse via the Middle East, Asia, Australia and Fiji, according to Flightradar24.
Inside Air Tahiti’s 26-seat business-class cabin
The new aircraft has a 1-1 seating configuration, giving all 26 passengers a window seat and direct aisle access.
Its Geven business-class seats offer 39“ pitch, a seat width of 21.6” and seven inches of recline. Passengers also have individual storage and USB-A and USB-C charging ports.
The cabin features Polynesian-inspired design elements. Air Tahiti Signature will also offer dedicated ground services, with the aircraft available for scheduled flights and private charters.
The aircraft is painted with a special ‘Ānapanapa livery, which the airline describes as “a tribute to the art of Polynesian navigation.”
When will Air Tahiti’s all-business-class flights begin?
Air Tahiti Signature is scheduled to begin commercial operations on 11 November 2026, according to AeroRoutes, although ATR’s delivery announcement refers to a December introduction.
The initial schedule includes services between Papeete, Bora Bora and Raiatea.
One morning rotation will depart Papeete at 07:30, reach Bora Bora at 08:25 and continue to
Raiatea, arriving at 09:05, before returning to Papeete at 10:20.
The shortest sector, between Bora Bora and Raiatea, is scheduled to take just 20 minutes.
