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Air Tahiti Nui has announced new non-stop flights to Sydney, to commence at the end of the year.
Launching on 14 December, the route will see the Qantas codeshare partner fly twice per week return between Sydney and Papeete using its 787-9 Dreamliner fleet, reinstating a service that operated prior to 2009.
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“The Islands of Tahiti continue to demonstrate strong appeal in the Australian market, which ranks among the destination’s most dynamic international segments,” the airline said.
“According to the latest provisional data from ISPF (Institut de la statistique de la Polynésie Française), French Polynesia welcomed nearly 279,000 visitors in 2025 – a new tourism record, continuing the positive momentum of recent years.
“Australian demand remains encouraging. With approximately 8,165 visitors in 2025, Australia plays an important role in diversifying and strengthening tourism flows to the destination.
“Beyond passenger travel, the launch of the Papeete–Sydney service also creates new opportunities for freight transport, supporting the development of economic exchanges between Australia and French Polynesia.”
According to Lionel Guérin, CEO of Air Tahiti Nui, Sydney “represents a strategic gateway for enhanced regional connectivity” as a major regional hub.
“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, New Zealand,” he said.
Currently, the best option for Australians travelling to Tahiti would be to fly via Auckland, either on Air New Zealand or on a Qantas codeshare with Air Tahiti Nui, as there are no other non-stop flights from Australia to the islands.
Air Tahiti Nui in 2018 became the fourth operator of the 787 in Oceania alongside Air New Zealand, Jetstar and Qantas.
Its 787-9s are configured to carry 294 passengers, with 30 lie-flat seats in a business class, 32 in premium economy in a 2-3-2 layout and 232 in economy at nine abreast. There is seat-back inflight entertainment and inflight internet Wi-Fi.
They replaced its previous fleet of five Airbus A340-300s which served Tahiti–Papeete–Auckland, Papeete-Tokyo Narita, and Papeete-Los Angeles-Paris Charles de Gaulle.
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