Air Tahiti NuiTN

Air Tahiti Nui is the international flag carrier of French Polynesia, headquartered in Papeete on the island of Tahiti. Founded in 1996 and commencing operations in 1998, the airline was created to provide French Polynesia with a direct air link to the world, reducing the territory's dependence on other carriers for international connectivity.

Operating from its hub at Faa'a International Airport (PPT), Air Tahiti Nui connects the remote islands of French Polynesia to major destinations in North America, Europe, Asia, and Oceania. The airline operates a modern all-Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner fleet, which replaced its aging Airbus A340 aircraft in 2018-2019. This fleet renewal brought significant improvements in passenger comfort, fuel efficiency, and range capability.

Air Tahiti Nui is not a member of any major airline alliance but maintains extensive codeshare partnerships with American Airlines, Air France, LATAM, Japan Airlines, Korean Air, Qantas, Air New Zealand, and Alaska Airlines. These partnerships provide connectivity to hundreds of destinations beyond the airline's own network. The carrier is renowned for its authentic Polynesian hospitality, with cabin crew dressed in traditional Tahitian attire and service infused with the spirit of "Mana" (Polynesian life force).

Carry-On Allowance

Personal Item (all fares):

• Weight limit: 3 kg (6.6 lbs)
• Must fit under the seat in front of you
• Examples: Small bag, purse, laptop bag

Cabin Bag (all fares):

• Combined dimensions: 115 cm / 45 in (sum of length + width + height)
• Weight varies by cabin class

Cabin Class	Cabin Bag Weight	Personal Item
Moana Economy	10 kg (22 lbs)	3 kg (6.6 lbs)
Manava Premium	10 kg (22 lbs)	3 kg (6.6 lbs)
Poerava Business	12 kg (26.6 lbs)	3 kg (6.6 lbs)

Note: Air Tahiti Nui is more generous than many carriers with its 10 kg carry-on allowance in economy class.

Checked Baggage

Standard Size: 158 cm (62 in) linear dimensions maximum (length + width + height)

Cabin Class	Bags Included	Weight per Bag
Moana Economy	1 bag	23 kg (50 lbs)
Manava Premium	2 bags	23 kg each
Poerava Business	2 bags	32 kg (70 lbs) each

Club Tiare Elite Bonus:

• Silver and Gold members receive one additional free checked bag

Infant Allowance (0-23 months without seat):

• 1 bag at 10 kg (22 lbs)
• Plus 1 foldable stroller, bassinet, or car seat at no charge

Maximum Weight: No single checked bag may exceed 32 kg (70 lbs). Bags over 32 kg or over 200 cm total dimensions must be shipped via cargo freight.

Extra Bag Fees (From USA)

Destination	Extra Bag Fee
French Polynesia (PPT)	$80
France/Europe	$100
New Zealand	$145
Japan/Asia	$185

Booking Channel: Fees apply whether purchased online, through travel agent, or at airport check-in.

Overweight & Oversized Fees

Condition	Fee (From USA to Tahiti)
Overweight (24-32 kg / 51-70 lbs)	$120
Oversized (over 158 cm)	$120
Alternative pricing	$20 per kg over limit

Important: Bags exceeding 32 kg or 200 cm total dimensions are not accepted as checked baggage and must be shipped as cargo.

Special Items - Sports Equipment

Air Tahiti Nui offers a notably generous policy for sports equipment:

Free Sports Equipment Allowance: One eligible sports equipment item up to 23 kg is included free of charge in addition to your standard baggage allowance on all Air Tahiti Nui operated flights.

Item	Fee	Notes
Golf clubs	Free	One set up to 23 kg, in addition to checked bags
Skis/Snowboards	Free	One set up to 23 kg, in addition to checked bags
Surfboards	Free	One board up to 23 kg, in addition to checked bags
Bicycles	Free	One bike up to 23 kg, must be properly packed
Diving equipment	Free	One set up to 23 kg
Other sports	Free	Must be in appropriate container

Overweight Sports Equipment: If your sports equipment weighs 24-32 kg, standard overweight charges apply.

Liability Waiver: You must sign a liability waiver when checking in sports equipment.

Musical Instruments

• Cabin: Ukulele, acoustic guitar, or electric guitar up to 115 cm (45 in) allowed as your cabin bag
• Recommendation: Use a rigid case with rounded corners or padded guitar cover
• Larger instruments: Contact airline for cargo arrangements

Fees as of January 2025. Verify at airtahitinui.com/baggage-policies before traveling.

Air Tahiti Nui operates an all-Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner fleet, offering three cabin classes on long-haul routes. The Dreamliner's larger windows, lower cabin altitude, and improved humidity levels make it particularly well-suited for the airline's lengthy trans-Pacific routes.

Poerava Business Class

The name "Poerava" combines the Tahitian words for "black pearl," reflecting French Polynesia's famous cultured pearl industry.

Seat Specifications:

Feature	Details
Configuration	2-2-2
Total Seats	30
Seat Pitch	60" (152 cm)
Seat Width	21" (53 cm)
Bed Length	78" / 198 cm (full-flat)
Recline	180 degrees (lie-flat)

Seat Product:

• B/E Aerospace Diamond Parallel lie-flat seats
• Direct aisle access from window seats
• Privacy dividers between each seat pair
• Storage compartments integrated into seat design

Poerava Business Features:

• Tahitian flower (Tiare) greeting upon boarding
• Premium amenity kit with Polynesian-inspired products
• Multi-course meal service featuring French and Tahitian cuisine
• Complimentary champagne and premium beverages
• 16" HD touchscreen entertainment
• AC power outlet and USB charging
• Noise-cancelling headphones
• Turndown service with bedding

Manava Premium Economy

"Manava" means "welcome" in Tahitian, reflecting the warmth of Polynesian hospitality.

Seat Specifications:

Feature	Details
Configuration	2-3-2
Total Seats	32
Seat Pitch	38" (97 cm)
Seat Width	19" (48 cm)
Recline	8" (20 cm)

Manava Premium Features:

• Wider seats with significant extra legroom
• Adjustable leg rest and footrest
• Enhanced recline compared to economy
• Travel kit with premium amenities
• Enhanced meal service
• Priority boarding
• Two checked bags included (23 kg each)

Moana Economy

"Moana" means "ocean" in Tahitian, evoking the vast Pacific that surrounds French Polynesia.

Seat Specifications:

Feature	Details
Configuration	3-3-3
Total Seats	232
Seat Pitch	31" (79 cm)
Seat Width	17" (43 cm)
Recline	6" (15 cm)

Moana Economy Features:

• Standard long-haul economy comfort
• Personal seatback HD entertainment screen
• USB charging port
• Blanket and pillow provided
• Complimentary meals on all flights
• Accessory kit included

Entertainment

All Cabins:

• Personal HD touchscreen at every seat
• Movies, TV shows, documentaries, games
• Music library including Polynesian artists
• Destination content about French Polynesia
• Moving map display

WiFi

Onboard WiFi is available throughout all cabins on the 787-9 fleet. Plans are available for purchase during flight.

Food & Beverage

Poerava Business:

• Multi-course meal service with wine pairings
• French and Tahitian fusion cuisine
• Champagne and premium spirits
• Dine-on-demand flexibility on longer sectors

Manava Premium:

• Enhanced meal service
• Complimentary alcoholic beverages
• Premium snack selection

Moana Economy:

• Complimentary full meal service on all flights
• Soft drinks, juice, water included
• Alcoholic beverages available for purchase
• Special meals available with advance request

Polynesian Touches:

• Tahitian vanilla featured in desserts
• Local fruit and tropical flavors
• Hinano (Tahitian beer) available
• Traditional Polynesian music sets ambiance

Booking

• Book direct: For best service during disruptions, book on airtahitinui.com
• Stopover in Los Angeles: Paris-Tahiti routing via LAX allows free stopover in Los Angeles
• Codeshare connections: American Airlines provides the best connectivity to Tahiti from most US cities via LAX
• Peak season: December-March is high season for Tahiti; book early for availability
• Shoulder season value: April-May and September-November offer good weather with lower fares

At the Airport

• LAX Terminal: Air Tahiti Nui uses Tom Bradley International Terminal (TBIT)
• Inter-island connections: Air Tahiti (separate airline, not Air Tahiti Nui) operates inter-island flights within French Polynesia
• Currency: XPF (CFP Franc) used in French Polynesia; USD and EUR widely accepted at tourist destinations

Maximizing Club Tiare

• 3,000 welcome miles: Join before your first flight to capture the welcome bonus
• Status match: Check for periodic status match offers if you have elite status elsewhere
• 24-month validity: Fly at least once every 2 years to keep miles from expiring
• Sports equipment bonus: Take advantage of the free sports equipment allowance for surfing, diving, or golf trips

In-Flight

• Window seats: The 787's larger windows are particularly impressive over the Pacific
• Jet lag: Tahiti is GMT-10; arriving from the US West Coast means minimal time change
• Meal timing: Long Pacific crossings mean multiple meal services; pace yourself
• Polynesian hospitality: Crew members are known for warm, genuine service

Connecting to the Islands

• Bora Bora (BOB): Requires domestic connection on Air Tahiti from Papeete
• Moorea (MOZ): Short ferry ride or 10-minute flight from Tahiti
• Rangiroa (RGI): Air Tahiti domestic flight, famous for diving
• Allow connection time: Minimum 3 hours recommended for international to domestic connections in Papeete

Common Issues

• Limited frequency: Only one daily flight on most routes; rebooking options limited if you miss your flight
• Codeshare baggage: When connecting on partner airlines, baggage policies may differ; confirm with operating carrier
• XPF currency: French Polynesia uses CFP Francs; exchange rates can be confusing (roughly 100 XPF = $1 USD)
• Weight enforcement: Carry-on weight limits are checked; don't exceed the 10 kg limit

Best Value

• Free sports equipment: Unlike most airlines, one sports item is included FREE beyond your standard allowance
• Generous carry-on: 10 kg cabin bag allowance is more than many carriers offer
• Manava Premium: Excellent value upgrade with 2 bags included and significantly more comfort
• Poerava on long sectors: Lie-flat business class is worth considering for the 8+ hour transpacific flights