Monday 9 March 2026

Sydney Airport has announced Air Tahiti Nui will commence a non-stop service between Papeete and Sydney, providing a direct link to Tahiti, adding over 60,000 seats annually and further strengthening connections between Australia and French Polynesia.

The inaugural flight is scheduled to arrive in Sydney on Tuesday, 15 December 2026.

The service will enable Australian passport holders to visit visa-free for up to 90 days and will run twice weekly on the route. It will also reduce travel time for passengers heading to Tahiti, who previously needed to transit via Auckland.

Air Tahiti Nui will operate its Sydney service using a Boeing 787-9, featuring 294 seats with 30 Poerava Business seats in a 2-2-2 configuration, 32 Mānava Premium Seats in a 2-3-2 configuration and 232 Moana Economy seats in 3-3-3 layout.

Sydney Airport, Group Executive Aviation Growth & Group Strategy, Greg Botham said: “We’re proud to welcome Air Tahiti Nui’s new direct service between Papeete and Sydney. Tahiti is an iconic destination, and this new non-stop connection makes it easier than ever for Australian travellers to experience the unique culture and natural beauty of French Polynesia.

“This service not only strengthens our ties with French Polynesia but also creates new opportunities for tourism, business, and freight between our regions, and we look forward to partnering with Air Tahiti Nui to ensure the success of this offering.”

Air Tahiti Nui, General Manager Pacific Grant Sinclair, said: “The introduction of this new connection between Australia and French Polynesia, with a convenient twice weekly non-stop flight from Sydney direct to Papeete, not only strengthens the ties between our two countries, but it also presents Australian travellers with a wonderful opportunity to discover all that The Islands of Tahiti have to offer.

“French Polynesia is truly blessed with an extraordinary diversity of islands to explore, along with a wide variety of accommodation and travel experiences from luxury resorts to boutique lodges, Tahitian guesthouses and cruise vacations that will appeal to a variety of traveller audiences.

“At Air Tahiti Nui, we genuinely look forward to welcoming more Australian visitors with whom we can share the beauty of our islands, our culture and the warmth of Polynesian hospitality.”

The launch of the Papeete–Sydney service also strengthens Sydney Airport’s role as a key freight gateway, creating new opportunities for trade and supporting the growth of economic exchange between Australia and French Polynesia.

The new service joins other Pacific Island destinations served from Sydney Airport, including Vanuatu, New Caledonia, Fiji, Tonga and the Cook Islands.

Tickets for the new Papeete–Sydney service are now on sale.

Flight schedule information (subject to regulatory approvals)

¹ Travel between 14 December 2026 and 27 March 2027
² Travel between 28 March 2027 and 30 October 2027