Air Tahiti Nui Embodies the Spirit of the Islands

Photo Courtesy of Air Tahiti Nui

Sebastien Desfresnes at Seatrade Miami Beach
(Photo: Gerry Barker)

By GERRY BARKER
North Palm Beach Life

French Polynesia. Just the name itself conjures romantic visions of swaying palms, crystalline blue waters and tropical landscapes. In a word, paradise.

For honeymooning couples, adventure seekers and travel lovers eager to explore its 118 islands located in the middle of the South Pacific -- halfway between South America and Australia -- Air Tahiti Nui is ready to take you there. Established almost 30 years ago, today Tahiti's flagship airline operates a fleet of Boeing 787 Dreamliners from its home base, Tahiti's Faa'a International Airport.

Sebastien Desfresnes, Air Tahiti Nui's cruise and specialty sales director, sat down with me at the just-concluded Seatrade Cruise Global conference in Miami Beach to talk about the airline and the cities it serves.

"We have two getways in North America -- Los Angeles and Seattle," he said, with up to seven flights a week scheduled from LA, with twice-weekly service from Seattle. Working with their airline partners, travelers can connect from the Pacific Northwest, the Midwest and the East Coast.  Additionally, the airline also operates flights to Paris, New Zealand and Tokyo. 

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(Courtesy of Air Tahiti Nui)

​For many years, one of the most popular ways to see the islands has been on a cruise ship, and Desfresnes said that sector of Tahitian tourism is growing fast. "We're seeing a lot of traction with the smaller ships," he said, "which is really good because of the value proposition." Citing the high costs of hotels, he noted cruise ships provide a way "to see four or five different islands" -- something we personally experienced last year on Windstar.

Seeing Tahiti by cruise ship was further bolstered by the opening earlier this year of a new cruise terminal in Papeete. "It's a modern building with all the amenities," said Desfresnes, "and will not only help the destination become a home port but also help the airline as well."

Air Tahiti Nui offers three classes of service, Desfresnes said: Business, premium economy and economy, and the airline's goal is to give travelers a taste of the islands before they arrive. "We want the journey to the island to be as enriching as the destination itself," he said. "So, as soon as you step on one of our aircraft you will feel the atmosphere of the islands."

"The crew will greet you with the iconic tiare flower when you board," he continued, adding their aircraft employ color schemes inspired by Paul Gauguin paintings. "It all works together to convey French Polynesia's spirit of hospitality that sets us apart from other airlines."

Most visitors to the islands tend to stay longer -- 12 to 15 days on average. Frequently they choose to package air, hotel and cruise together, with many including a pre- or post-cruise stay, as we did, spending an extra three days on Moorea. Due to increasing demand, two popular cruise lines, Windstar and Paul Gauguin, are expanding their presence. "That's exciting," said Desfresnes, "because it means more opportunity for us."

The people of French Polynesia are known for their warmth and welcoming demeanor, and he said that carries over to the airline's staff as well. "All our staff are Tahitian and the Tahitian culture is everywhere in our company. I think it's so important to know that's your identity."

If you want to be part of that culture, just say "Ia Orana" when you step onboard one of the Air Tahiti Nui planes and accept your tiara. The smile you'll get will say it all.

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(Courtesy of Air Tahiti Nui)