Air Tahiti’s new ATR 72-600 “Signature” aircraft emits 45% less CO₂ than comparable jets — and every one of its 26 seats is business class.
That short hop from Papeete to Bora Bora usually takes about 50 minutes, just long enough to settle into a window seat and watch the lagoon come into view. Starting December 8, 2026, those 50 minutes will look very different. Air Tahiti is launching a 100% Business Class service on an ATR 72-600 configured with 26 seats in a 1-1 layout, and reservations open on December 10, 2025. This article walks you through what the new service includes, how to book during the introductory fare window, and how it compares to what’s currently available across the Pacific.
It’s the first time any airline has operated an ATR aircraft entirely dedicated to business class. The “Air Tahiti Signature” aircraft combines a premium cabin with Polynesian design touches and a lower carbon footprint. Whether you’re planning a honeymoon, a milestone trip, or simply curious about the future of interisland travel in French Polynesia, here’s what you need to know.
Air Tahiti’s new all-business-class flights connect Papeete with Bora Bora and Raiatea-Tahaa starting December 8, 2026, using a 26-seat ATR 72-600 with ETEREA seats, Polynesian-inspired cabin design, and 45% lower CO₂ emissions than comparable jets. The catch? Only 26 seats per flight, and the introductory fare requires booking between December 10, 2025 and March 31, 2026 for travel through March 31, 2027. If this sounds like your kind of trip, mark that booking date now.
Luxury travelers
Couples
Premium island-hoppers
| Feature | Detail | Why It Matters |
|---|---|---|
| Cabin & seats | 26 ETEREA seats, 1-1 config, 21.6″ wide, 100″ pitch | Every seat has aisle + window access |
| Routes & timing | Papeete → Bora Bora (≈50 min), Papeete → Raiatea-Tahaa | Premium experience on short hops |
| Booking & intro fare | Reservations open Dec 10, 2025; intro fare through Mar 31, 2026 | Limited window for discounted seats |
The three big pieces to understand: what’s inside the cabin, where it flies, and how it changes the equation for Pacific travel.
The Cabin Experience: 26 Seats, 1-1 Configuration
Air Tahiti removed roughly two-thirds of the seats from a standard ATR 72-600 to create this layout. What’s left is a cabin with 26 ETEREA seats by Geven, arranged in a 1-1 configuration so every passenger has direct aisle access and a window. The seat specs alone tell the story: 21.6 inches wide, 100 inches of pitch, and a recline of up to 7 inches (16 degrees). Each seat comes with a personal side table, individual storage, and USB-A and USB-C ports.
The design goes beyond the seats. Air Tahiti worked with the Tahiti Center of Arts and Crafts to develop a cabin that uses fine woods, premium carpets, and refined ornaments reflecting Polynesian traditions. The airline was the first to feature traditional tattoo motifs on its livery back in 2017, and the “Air Tahiti Signature” aircraft continues that approach with a special exterior livery developed through the same partnership. Crew service emphasizes Polynesian hospitality with exclusive refreshments and personalized attention throughout the flight.
The introductory fare — available for bookings between December 10, 2025 and March 31, 2026 — is the most affordable way to experience this cabin. After that window closes, expect standard business-class pricing on a route where no premium cabin has existed before.
For travelers used to standard interisland seating, the difference is stark. A typical 50-minute flight from Papeete to Bora Bora currently offers no business-class option. This cabin redefines what a short regional flight can feel like — and at 45% lower CO₂ than comparable jets, it does it with a smaller environmental footprint.
Routes, Reservations & the Introductory Fare
That cabin isn’t just for show — it’s flying to two of French Polynesia’s most-visited island groups. The “Air Tahiti Signature” ATR 72-600 will operate between Papeete (PPT) and Bora Bora (BOB), and between Papeete and Raiatea-Tahaa (RFP). Flight time to Bora Bora is roughly 50 minutes, comparable to some of the longer Hawaii interisland hops. Up to 16 weekly frequencies are planned across both routes.
Bookings become available on that date through Air Tahiti’s website, by phone at +689 40 86 42 42, or at any Air Tahiti sales office. No early access or pre-booking list has been announced, so mark the calendar.
The special introductory fare requires booking between December 10, 2025 and March 31, 2026. This is the only discounted window — after that, standard pricing applies. The fare is valid for travel between December 8, 2026 and March 31, 2027.
The “Air Tahiti Signature” ATR 72-600 enters service on this date. With only 26 seats per flight and up to 16 weekly frequencies across two routes, availability will be limited — especially during peak season.
The aircraft delivered in December 2026 is the second of a four-plane order placed at the Farnborough International Airshow in July 2024. The first joined the fleet in June 2025, and two more are scheduled for 2027 and 2028. This configuration is not a one-off — it’s the start of a fleet plan.
The introductory fare is a genuine limited window — bookings must happen within about 3.5 months (December 10, 2025 to March 31, 2026), and travel must be completed by March 31, 2027. If you’re planning a trip to Bora Bora or Raiatea-Tahaa in late 2026 or early 2027, this is the moment to lock in a better rate.
Air Tahiti CEO Edouard Wong Fat described the service as delivering “an exclusive experience from check-in to arrival,” emphasizing modernity, comfort, Polynesian hospitality, and sustainability. For travelers already planning a French Polynesia trip in the 2026-2027 window, the intro fare period aligns well with typical booking lead times for premium travel.
What This Means for Pacific Travel
Air Tahiti’s all-business-class interisland service doesn’t exist in a vacuum. The move positions French Polynesia as a premium alternative to Hawaii, where interisland flights typically use older Boeing 717s or 737s with tight seating and minimal in-flight service. Hawaiian Airlines offers a lie-flat product on long-haul routes, but no all-business-class regional flights exist in Hawaii today.
| Feature | Air Tahiti Signature | Hawaii Interisland (Typical) |
|---|---|---|
| Seat type | Business (ETEREA by Geven) | Standard economy |
| Configuration | 1-1 (26 seats) | 3-3 (typically 150+ seats) |
| Seat width | 21.6 inches | ≈17-18 inches |
| Pitch | 100 inches | ≈30-32 inches |
| Sample flight time | Papeete → Bora Bora ≈ 50 min | Honolulu → Kahului ≈ 25 min |
| In-flight service | Exclusive refreshments, personalized attention | Minimal or buy-on-board |
The comparison matters because Tahiti and Hawaii compete for many of the same premium travelers. French Polynesia has leaned into exclusivity and sustainability as differentiators, while Hawaii has faced growing scrutiny over infrastructure strain and crowding. An all-business-class regional flight reinforces Tahiti’s brand as a luxury destination where the journey itself is part of the experience.
If you’re weighing Tahiti against Hawaii for an upcoming trip, consider the full travel picture: the flight time from Papeete to Bora Bora is roughly double that of Honolulu to Kahului, but the premium cabin experience on Air Tahiti’s new service turns that extra 25 minutes into a highlight rather than an inconvenience. Factor in the intro fare window when comparing total trip cost.
Industry watchers have noted that Air Tahiti’s HighLine configuration could set a new benchmark for regional comfort across the Pacific. If premium demand continues to grow, Hawaii carriers may eventually face pressure to offer something comparable — but for now, this service is unique in the region.
Booking Your Seat: What to Know Before Reservations Open
The introductory fare window closes on March 31, 2026 — just 3.5 months after reservations open on December 10, 2025. If you’re interested, mark that December date now. After March 31, 2026, standard business-class pricing kicks in, and with only 26 seats per flight, availability may tighten quickly.
How to Book
Reservations can be made through Air Tahiti’s website at airtahiti.com, by calling +689 40 86 42 42, or by visiting any Air Tahiti sales office. No deposit or loyalty program details have been announced specifically for this service, so standard booking terms likely apply. Given the limited seats, booking on the opening day — December 10, 2025 — is worth considering if your travel dates are already set.
The Introductory Fare
The intro fare applies to bookings made between December 10, 2025 and March 31, 2026, for travel between December 8, 2026 and March 31, 2027. Specific pricing has not been announced, but the fare is positioned as a launch incentive for the new service. After the intro window, expect premium pricing consistent with the business-class product.
Fleet and Future Plans
The “100% Business Class” ATR 72-600 delivered in December 2026 is the second of four aircraft ordered by Air Tahiti. The first joined the fleet in June 2025, and two more are scheduled for 2027 and 2028. This suggests the airline is committed to growing its premium interisland capacity — but for now, only one aircraft will operate in this configuration, keeping seat supply tight.
Before You Fly Air Tahiti’s New Business-Class Service
When do reservations actually open?
December 10, 2025. That’s the date Air Tahiti begins accepting bookings for the 100% Business Class flights. No early access or pre-booking list has been announced.
Is the introductory fare guaranteed to be cheaper?
Air Tahiti hasn’t released specific pricing, but launch fares on new premium routes are typically discounted relative to standard rates. The key constraint is the booking window — December 10, 2025 to March 31, 2026 — and the travel window of December 8, 2026 to March 31, 2027.
What happens if I miss the intro fare window?
After March 31, 2026, standard business-class pricing applies. With only 26 seats per flight and no competing all-business regional service in the Pacific, demand is likely to keep fares high during peak periods.
How does this compare to flying business class on a long-haul flight to Tahiti?
This is a regional turboprop, not a wide-body jet — so don’t expect a lie-flat bed or a full entertainment system. What you get is a very spacious seat with premium service on a short route, which is a different value proposition from long-haul business class.
Can I book this for a family with kids?
The 1-1 configuration and 26-seat cabin are designed for individual travelers and couples. Families with young children may find the premium price and limited seating less practical than a standard interisland option. Check Air Tahiti’s standard economy service for family travel.
One Flight, a Different Pace
A 50-minute flight is usually just a means of getting from one place to another. Air Tahiti’s all-business-class service doesn’t change the distance — but it changes the feeling of that half-hour over the lagoon. For travelers who value space, quiet, and a cabin designed around Polynesian craftsmanship, this new route turns the journey into something worth arriving early for. If the timing and budget align, it’s the kind of upgrade that can define a trip before you even touch down. For more on planning your stay once you land, check out our essential guide to Bora Bora.
References
Pacific Tourism Organisation. “Air Tahiti opens reservations for its 100% Business Class flights to Bora Bora and Raiatea-Tahaa.” South Pacific Islands Travel, 2025. ↗
Beat of Hawaii. “Raising Hawaii’s Bar with New All-Business Tahiti Flights.” Beat of Hawaii, 2025. ↗
For more context on travel to the region, read our guide to the best time to visit Bora Bora, check out recent updates on new flight routes across Polynesia, or explore budget-friendly alternatives to Bora Bora’s overwater bungalows if the premium price point doesn’t fit your trip. Each of these posts covers a different angle on visiting French Polynesia, from timing and cost to getting there.
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