Papeete, March 29, 2022.

Air Tahiti Nui and Alaska Airlines are pleased to announce the upcoming opening of a new route connecting the city of Seattle to the Islands of Tahiti, as part of a strategic merger offering the “Tiare” company an enhanced access to the North American market.

Approvals from the American and Polynesian authorities are in progress, but the partners have already announced the date of October 04, 2022 for a first rotation, and a schedule of two weekly flights. These new direct flights now appear in the CRS and are available for sale.

Michel Monvoisin, Chairman and CEO of Air Tahiti Nui, indicates that “the addition of this route to the flights already scheduled at our Los Angeles hub, stopping at LAX and in extension to Paris, brings the total weekly number of flights operated by Air Tahiti Nui to North America to 15 during the high season.”

Mathieu Bechonnet, Managing Director, also stated that “this second route on the West Coast of the United States reinforces the position of Air Tahiti Nui as the leader of Polynesian tourism. In particular the Pacific North West of the US and Western Canada, especially British Columbia will have much easier access to the Islands of Tahiti. For this development, Air Tahiti Nui is delighted to be able to count on a new partner like Alaska Airlines, which is the preeminent airline in a region eager for new destinations.”

A powerful sales network:

“Who hasn’t dreamed of visiting Bora Bora? We’re delighted to have Air Tahiti Nui join our array of global airline partners, further connecting the West Coast to the South Pacific,” said Nat Pieper, senior vice president of fleet, finance, and alliances. “Our guests are going to love the convenience of a nonstop flight to this amazing destination on an airline that offers world-class service and amenities flying the beautiful Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner aircraft.”

For the first time in the company's history, Air Tahiti Nui’s customers will be able to use their Club Tiare miles on Alaska Airlines’ network. They will also be able to earn Club Tiare miles for all their travels with Alaska Airlines beyond Seattle. Alaska Airlines’ customers will be able to earn or use their Mileage Plan miles when traveling with Air Tahiti Nui.

A new relationship and a new partner:

Alaska Airlines is the 5th largest US carrier. The company is also one of the most popular in the United States, having obtained the title of best traditional company for 12 years in a row. It is based in Seattle and offers nearly 1,200 daily flights to 120 North American cities, Canada and Mexico, and further south, Costa Rica, and Belize. The company is constantly expanding and is the newest member of the Oneworld alliance.

With the upcoming reopening of its Auckland and Tokyo flights, this new route positions Air Tahiti Nui more than ever as the essential partner for Polynesian tourism, in line with the economic development mission entrusted to it by the government of French Polynesia.

About Air Tahiti Nui:

Air Tahiti Nui has been the leading airline for Polynesia for more than 20 years. It connects French Polynesia to many destinations served directly or through code sharing with many partners, including American Airlines, SNCF, Aircalin, Air New Zealand, Japan Airlines, Korean Air, Qantas and LATAM. Since the renewal of its fleet made up of 4 "Tahitian Dreamliner" Boeing 787-9 in 2019, Air Tahiti Nui has been operating the newest aircraft in its network. Configured in tri-class (Poerava Business, Moana Premium and Moana Economy) these new aircraft are equipped with the latest innovations in comfort and technology for an immersive travel experience, always in the warm spirit of the typically Polynesian welcome.

Earning the title for "Best Airline in the South Pacific" for the third consecutive by "Global Traveler" in 2020, Air Tahiti Nui was also awarded the passenger prize APEX 2020 Regional Passenger Choice Award for the quality of its seats. The company received in 2021 for the second time the title of "Best Airline Design in the Oceania region" by the specialized site “The Design Air.”

You will visit the following 2 places:

Tahiti

Tahiti is the largest island in French Polynesia, the South Pacific archipelago. This overseas collectivity of the French Republic is sometimes referred to as an overseas country. The island was formed from volcanic activity and is high and mountainous with surrounding coral reefs.  Tahiti was originally settled by Polynesians between 300 and 800 CE. They represent about 70% of the island's population with the rest made up of Europeans, Chinese and those of mixed heritage. The island was part of the Kingdom of Tahiti until its annexation by France in 1880, when it was proclaimed a colony of France. It was not until 1946 that the indigenous Tahitians were legally authorised to be French citizens. French is the only official language although the Tahitian language (Reo Tahiti) is widely spoken.

Bora Bora

Bora Bora is an island in the Leeward group of the Society Islands of French Polynesia, an overseas collectivity of France in the Pacific Ocean. The original name of the island in the Tahitian language might be better rendered as Pora Pora, meaning "First Born"; an early transcription found in 18th- and 19th-century accounts, is Bolabolla or Bollabolla. The island, located about 230 kilometres (140 mi) northwest of Papeete, is surrounded by a lagoon and a barrier reef. In the center of the island are the remnants of an extinct volcano rising to two peaks, Mount Pahia and Mount Otemanu, the highest point at 727 metres (2,385 ft). Bora Bora is a major international tourist destination, famous for its aqua-centric luxury resorts. The island is served by Bora Bora Airport on Motu Mete in the north, with Air Tahiti providing daily flights to and from Papeete on Tahiti. The major settlement, Vaitape is on the western side of the main island, opposite the main channel into the lagoon.