Air Tahiti Nui to launch new Sydney route, boosting South Pacific connectivity
March 5, 2026
Air Tahiti Nui has announced it will launch direct flights between Papeete and Sydney, beginning 14 December 2026.
The route providing non-stop flights between French Polynesia and Australia is part of the airline’s strategy to boost connectivity in the Pacific between French Polynesia and major regional hubs.
Strengthening links with Australia
Air Tahiti Nui said the new Sydney route responds to growing interest from Australian travellers visiting the Islands of Tahiti.
Tourism figures highlight the destination’s rising popularity. According to provisional data from the Institut de la Statistique de la Polynésie Française (ISPF), French Polynesia welcomed nearly 279,000 visitors in 2025, setting a new tourism record. Australia represents one of the destination’s emerging markets, accounting for approximately 8,165 visitors in 2025.
Sydney also acts as a major aviation gateway in the South Pacific, making it a strategic hub for onward connectivity across Australia and the wider region.
Air Tahiti Nui’s partnership with Qantas expands connectivity
Lionel Guérin, chief executive officer of Air Tahiti Nui, said the route would complement the airline’s existing regional services.
“We are very pleased to announce this new direct service between Papeete and Sydney,” said Guérin. “With two direct flights per week and our codeshare agreement with Qantas, this service offers Australian travellers greater comfort and additional frequencies, complementing our twice-weekly service to Auckland.”
The airline’s codeshare partnership with Qantas will allow travellers from across Australia to connect onto the new Papeete service through Sydney.
Beyond tourism, the new route will support freight transport between Australia and French Polynesia, opening additional cargo capacity for regional trade.
What travellers can expect on Air Tahiti Nui flights
Air Tahiti Nui said the service will offer the same onboard experience found across its network, including Polynesian-inspired hospitality delivered by the airline’s cabin crew.
Passengers travelling on the route will experience the airline’s signature Tahitian branding and service, designed to reflect the culture and spirit of the islands.
Air Tahiti Nui operates a fleet of four Boeing 787-9 Dreamliners configured with 30 business class seats, 32 premium economy seats and 232 economy class seats.
Air Tahiti Nui Poerava Business
According to data from aeroLOPA.com, Air Tahiti Nui business class, branded as Poerava Business, features Collins Diamond Parallel seats configured in a 2-2-2 layout.
These twin seats are offset from each other and angled to make it easier for the window passenger to access the aisle. Seats are 20” wide and convert to a 78″ flat bed.
Passengers can enjoy in-flight entertainment on a 16″ HD touch screen display. Power access is available through 110V universal AC and USB-A sockets.
Air Tahiti Nui Moana Premium
The airline’s premium economy class, Moana Premium, offers 20″-wide Safran Z535 seats arranged in a 2-3-2 configuration, with 38” of legroom and an 8” recline. They feature adjustable footrests and headrests.
Seats in row 10, at the front of the cabin, have an adjustable footrest attached to the base of the leg rest, where other seats have a pedal-style footrest. In-flight entertainment plays on a 13″ HD touch screen display, and power is available through 110V universal AC and USB-A sockets.
Air Tahiti Nui Moana Economy
Moana Economy class offers 17.1″-wide Safran Z300 seats arranged in a 3-3-3 configuration across two cabins. Seats are 31” apart and recline 6”.
The in-flight entertainment screen is an 11.7″ HD touch screen display. Economy class also has 110V universal AC and USB-A power sockets.
Expanding Air Tahiti Nui’s South Pacific network
The launch of the Sydney service advances the airline’s efforts to expand connectivity between French Polynesia and key international markets. Air Tahiti Nui currently serves destinations including Los Angeles, Tokyo, Paris and Auckland.
Tickets for the new Sydney–Papeete route are now available for booking, with the service set to begin operations ahead of the peak 2026–2027 holiday season.
Featured Image: Air Tahiti Nui
