Prepare your stay
How to book a flight to Tahiti?
AIR TAHITI NUI
As the only international Polynesian airline, founded in 1996, Air Tahiti Nui has been connecting the United States since 1998 and Paris-CDG since 2002. Operating a fleet composed exclusively of Boeing 787-9 "Tahitian Dreamliners," the carrier serves Los Angeles, Seattle, Tokyo, and Auckland (with 4 to 7 weekly flights). While historically partnered with Air France, the airline now prioritizes agreements with Alaska Airlines for the U.S. market and SNCF (Train + Air) for French regional connections.
Useful information to prepare your flights with Air Tahiti Nui
- Classes: Moana Economy, Premium Manava, and Poerava Business
- Cabin configuration: 3-3-3 in Moana Economy, 2-3-2 in Premium Manava, and 2-2-2 in Poerava Business
- Connecting travel (Pre-routing): Alaska Airlines for the U.S. market and SNCF (via the Train + Air service)
- Stopover between Paris and Papeete: In Los Angeles and Seattle, with stopover options available
- Paris-Tahiti flight duration: The average flight time to Papeete is estimated at 22 hours.
Baggage allowance (per person)
- Moana Economy: 1 checked bag (23 kg / 50 lbs) + 1 carry-on (10 kg / 22 lbs) + 1 personal item (3 kg / 6 lbs).
- Premium Manava: 2 checked bags (23 kg / 50 lbs each) + 1 carry-on (10 kg / 22 lbs) + 1 personal item (3 kg / 6 lbs).
- Poerava Business: 2 checked bags (32 kg / 70 lbs each) + 1 carry-on (12 kg / 26 lbs) + 1 personal item (3 kg / 6 lbs).
Seating
For added comfort and peace of mind, Air Tahiti Nui offers a selection of paid seating options in Moana Economy:
- Extra Comfort Seats (exit rows or bulkhead): Extra legroom. Safety condition: restricted to passengers over 15 years old who are fully mobile and understand instructions in English or French.
- Preference Seats (side rows): Allows you to reserve your favorite spot in advance (window, aisle, or side-by-side seating).
Benefits and Exceptions
Seat selection is free of charge for Premium Manava and Poerava Business passengers, as well as Club Tiare Gold members (on Preference Seats only). Additionally, parents traveling with an infant can book seats facing the bassinets for free, upon request and subject to availability.
FRENCH BEE
As a pioneer of French long-haul low-cost travel, French bee connects Paris-Orly 4 to Tahiti via a stopover in San Francisco (with a stopover option available). The route is operated with latest-generation Airbus A350-900 and A350-1000 aircraft, running 3 to 6 times a week depending on the season.
Useful information to prepare your flights with French Bee
- Classes: Eco Blue, Premium Blue
- Cabin configuration: 3-3-3 in Eco Blue; 2-4-2 in Premium Blue on the A350-1000 and 2-3-2 in Premium Blue on the A350-900
- Connecting travel (Pre-routing): SNCF (via the Train + Air service)
- Stopover between Paris and Papeete: In San Francisco
- Paris-Tahiti flight duration: The average flight time to Papeete is estimated at 22 hours.
Baggage allowance (per person)
- Eco Blue: 1 checked bag (23 kg / 50 lbs) + 1 carry-on bag and personal item combined (12 kg / 26 lbs max).
- Premium Blue: 2 checked bags (23 kg / 50 lbs each) + 1 carry-on bag and personal item combined (12 kg / 26 lbs max).
Seating
French bee allows you to select your seat in advance (subject to an additional fee) so you can travel according to your preferences, whether you want to sit next to your loved ones or enjoy enhanced comfort.
- Standard Seat: Guarantees your preferred spot (window, aisle, or side-by-side) and avoids random seat assignment.
- Maxi Leg Seat: Located at the exit rows, these seats offer generous legroom. Safety conditions: restricted to passengers over 15 years old who are fully mobile and speak English or French.
- Cosy Cabin: A quiet, preferred zone of just a few rows at the front of the aircraft (right behind Premium class) for quicker disembarkation.
- Maxi Leg Seat in Cosy Cabin: The ultimate comfort in Economy class, combining extra legroom with the peace and priority exit of the Cosy zone.
- Premium Seat: Reserved for passengers who already hold a Premium Blue ticket, this option allows you to select your exact seat within the Premium cabin (window, aisle, or side-by-side).
AIR FRANCE
As a historic carrier, Air France connects Paris-CDG to Tahiti (Papeete) via Los Angeles (3 to 5 flights per week, with a stopover option available). The route is operated by the Airbus A350-900, a next-generation aircraft that is faster, more eco-friendly, and features a quieter, better-pressurized cabin.
Useful information to prepare your flights with French Bee
- Classes: Economy, Premium, Business
- Cabin configuration (on Airbus A350-900): 3-3-3 in Economy, 2-4-2 in Premium, 1-2-1 in Business (direct aisle access for all passengers)
- Connecting travel (Pre-routing): Air France domestic flights and the SNCF TGV INOUI network (via the Train + Air service) for French regional connections to Paris
- Stopover between Paris and Papeete: In Los Angeles (LAX)
- Paris-Tahiti flight duration: The average flight time to Papeete is estimated at 22 hours.
Baggage Allowance (per person)
- Economy: 0 to 1 checked bag (23 kg / 50 lbs) + 1 carry-on bag and 1 personal item (12 kg / 26 lbs max combined).
- Premium: 2 checked bags (23 kg / 50 lbs each) + 2 carry-on bags and 1 personal item (18 kg / 40 lbs max combined).
- Business: 2 checked bags (32 kg / 70 lbs each) + 2 carry-on bags and 1 personal item (18 kg / 40 lbs max combined).
Seating
In the Economy Cabin
- Standard Seat: Free of charge from the time of booking (for Standard/Flex fares, Premium, Business, Flying Blue elite status, PMR, and Unaccompanied Minors). Paid option for Light fares until online check-in opens (30 hours before departure).
- Paid Options (discounts apply based on elite status):
- Front Section: Ideal for quicker disembarkation.
- Extra Legroom: Located at bulkheads and exit rows (Safety condition: restricted to passengers over 15 years old who are fully mobile).
- Duo Seats: Configured as pairs of two seats next to each other at the back of the aircraft.
- Seat Plus Option (My Extra Space): Allows you to purchase adjacent empty seat(s) during check-in, subject to availability.
In the Premium & Business Cabins
- Premium: Free seat selection for all passengers. Only the first row (offering extra space) may require an additional fee or be reserved for Elite members.
- Business: Free seat selection for all passengers, featuring direct aisle access. Only the first row (offering mini-suites) may require an additional fee or be reserved for Platinum/Ultimate members.
Benefits and Exceptions
Frequent flyer members with Elite status (such as Flying Blue Silver, Gold, or Platinum) are automatically entitled to one additional complimentary checked bag (23 kg or 32 kg depending on the travel class), regardless of the ticket fare.
OTHER AIRLINES OPERATING TO TAHITI
- Air New Zealand from Auckland
- LATAM from Santiago de Chile
- Hawaiian Airlines from Honolulu
- Air Calin from New Caledonia (Nouméa)
Please note that domestic airlines apply specific baggage restrictions. You will find all the necessary details under the "Transportation in the islands".