French Polynesia boosts air links

French Polynesia is working to improve its air connections to attract more visitors and spread tourism beyond busy times. The Papeete Tahiti-Faa'a Airport recorded 1,147,525 regular passengers from January to August 2026, with 172,293 passengers in August alone.

New flight to Sydney

Air Tahiti Nui will start a non-stop flight between Papeete and Sydney on December 14, 2026, with two flights each week. This new route is part of a partnership with Qantas, offering Australian travelers more comfort and more flight options.

Continued service to Tokyo

Air Tahiti Nui plans to keep its flight to Tokyo-Narita during July and August. The airline is also upgrading its four Boeing 787-9 aircraft, including new furnishings and a Starlink Wi-Fi system, starting in 2028.

Luxury travel option

Air Tahiti is introducing a luxury option for high-end travelers with a new ATR 72-600 aircraft named ‘Ānapanapa. This plane has 26 business class seats arranged in a 1-1 layout and will offer the Air Tahiti Signature service between Tahiti, Bora Bora, and Raiatea.

Code-sharing for travel

Improving air links includes a code-sharing agreement between Air Tahiti Nui and Air Tahiti, allowing travelers to combine international and local flights on one ticket. The agreement initially covers Bora Bora and Rarotonga.

Other airline services

French bee operates flights from Paris-Orly to Papeete with a stop in San Francisco, offering three flights per week. Air France connects Paris-Charles de Gaulle to Tahiti via Los Angeles using an Airbus A350-900.

Tourism faces challenges

French Polynesia is seeing a more varied year after three years of record tourism. There was a 5.6% drop in visitors at the start of 2026. Tahiti Tourisme is focusing on the November to March period, promoting it as a "season of abundance" to spread tourism benefits across more islands.

Tour operators expand options

Five tour operators—Les Maisons du Voyage, Voyages d'exception, Prestige Voyages, Faré Voyages, and Marco Vasco—offer customized trips, inter-island travel, cruises, and luxury experiences in French Polynesia.