Air Tahiti Nui, the flag carrier of French Polynesia, announced the resumption of its flights from Papeete (PPT) to Sydney (SYD), ending a 17-year hiatus since 2009. The airline will operate this route with Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner aircraft, starting from December 14, 2026, with services scheduled twice weekly. This new route aims to enhance regional connectivity and strengthen the airline's presence in Oceania, complementing its existing flights to Auckland (AKL) from Faaʼa International Airport (FAA).
The flights will depart Papeete at 12:10 PM local time on Thursdays, arriving in Sydney at 5:45 PM. Return services will leave Sydney at 8:10 PM during winter and 7:10 PM in summer, arriving back in Papeete early the next day. The schedules follow the IATA summer and winter seasonal adjustments, with crossing of the International Date Line affecting arrival times.
Air Tahiti Nui will deploy its fleet of four Boeing 787-9 aircraft, each approximately seven years old, configured with three seating classes. The aircraft offers 30 business class seats, 32 premium economy recliners, and 232 economy seats. The airline’s signature seating, with business class facing windows, provides comfort and a premium experience for travelers.
The airline's previous attempt to fly to Sydney in 2009 used Airbus A340-300s, but this service was discontinued in 2019 due to fleet changes. The current relaunch posits Aircraft with IATA: ["B787"], ICAO: ["B788"]. The move is supported by a codeshare agreement with Qantas, offering Australian travelers more options and better regional access.
This strategic initiative signifies Air Tahiti Nui's efforts to modernize its fleet with fuel-efficient aircraft and expand its international network, ultimately aiming to boost tourism and economic ties between France Polynesia and Australia, and providing travelers with more direct options to access Pacific destinations.
