On October 5, Air Tahiti Nui launched its first route in 15 years connecting Faa'a International Airport (IATA: PPT, ICAO: NTAA), Papeete, Tahiti with Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SEA) with a press conference and plenty of fanfare. For an airline that services only five cities worldwide now, this was a historic event.

Launching ceremonies

Beacons and Nose Poke Thru the Water Cannons
A water cannon salute was given to the Air Tahiti Nui Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner as it pulled into Seattle. Photo: Joe Kunzler | Simple Flying

After the Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner successfully navigated through the low clouds and landed at Seattle-Tacoma International Airport, she was greeted with water cannons from the Port of Seattle Fire/Rescue Department trucks just in front of the world’s longest aerial walkway. This was only the beginning of the welcoming, with more celebrations taking place inside the terminal.

Upon arrival, the cabin crew and pilots posed for photos. The chief pilot, Captain Sanford, kindly explained to Simple Flying that despite the Seattle weather with low clouds and the long flight - some 4,785 miles - the Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner was able to navigate by GPS and came in with no trouble at all. Captain Sanford found the 787 to be an airframe with more responsive flight controls, with the yoke allowing precise flying to handle those long flights better versus the Airbus aircraft Air Tahiti Nui previously flew.

Meanwhile, during all of this, passengers were checking in as normal. All was smooth operations for this initial flight.

There was also a press conference where various dignitaries spoke, welcoming and celebrating the arrival of the airline. For instance, Monisha Harrell, Senior Deputy Mayor of Seattle, said,

“We have in common a wonderlust… a desire to see the world and see all of the beauties of the world.”

Also in attendence was Michel Monvoisin, CEO of Air Tahiti Nui, who thanked Seattle for such a warm welcome. Monvoisin also singled out for thanks the employees of Seattle-Tacoma International Airport for their efforts in setting up the new route.

French Polynesian Minister of Economy Yvonnick Raffin also made the trip to Seattle; such was the importance of the route to French Polynesia - the nation home to Tahiti. Minister Raffin thanked guests for, “choosing our destination” to “reconnect with the world” and “reconnect with the essentials of life”.

Finally it was the turn of Port of Seattle Commissioner Toshiko Grace Hasegawa, who represents the democratically elected political oversight over Seatlle-Tacoma International Airport. Commissioner Hasegawa succinctly spoke about the cultural importance of the route, noting that,

"Washington state has the third-densest population of Pacific Islander and Pasifika communities in the United States. And I know that there are so many members of our community that see this as a tremendously meaningful step for us being closer to home; for uniting our cultures and our communities."

After a ceremonial gift exchange by the dignitaries and ribbon cutting, the reception ended with a performance by Nonosina Polynesia, world-renowned Polynesian performance group. The song and dance could be heard throughout the terminal, allowing the cabin crew to sneak away to prepare the aircraft for boarding.

Gift Bag for Initial Seattle-Tahiti Passengers
Here's what was in the gift bag for Air Tahiti Nui passengers flying to Tahiti.
Photo: Joe Kunzler | Simple Flying

During boarding, the passengers were given gift bags, which included bag tags and a cookie, as pictured above. Once the passengers were boarded and the media photographers in position, the 787-9 Dreamliner departed via another water cannon. When it came time to take off, the Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner wowed the crowd with vapors over the mighty 197-foot – or slightly over 60-meter – wingspan.

Air Tahiti Nui 787-9 Breaking Thru the Sea Tac Water Salute
Air Tahiti Nui 787-9 Breaking Thru the Sea Tac Water Salute
Photo: Joe Kunzler | Simple Flying

Alaska Airlines codeshare

Air Tahiti Nui 787 at the Gate
Yes, flying on Alaska Airlines can generate frequent flier miles to spend on Air Tahiti Nui flights - and vice versa.
Photo: Joe Kunzler | Simple Flying

Air Tahiti Nui is code sharing with Alaska Airlines so that the airline’s mileage plan members earn miles flying Air Tahiti Nui – and in return redeem miles or purchase tickets on Air Tahiti Nui via AlaskaAir.com. For Air Tahiti Nui CEO Michel Monvoisin,

It’s a chance for North American travelers to discover the beauty of the 118 Islands of Tahiti, including Tahiti, Bora Bora, Moorea and Rangiroa, which serve as the background to the many wonders to discover, landscapes to explore and memories to create.

Caroline Borawski With Her Air Tahiti Nui 787
To Caroline Borawski, Vice President - The Americas for Air Tahiti Nui, bookings are doing well, especially with the “wonderful aircraft” the 787 Dreamliner is and "wonderlust" held back by recent events.
Photo: Joe Kunzler | Simple Flying

Interviewing Caroline Borawski, Vice President of the Americas for Air Tahiti Nui after the event, she explained that the route was Air Tahiti Nui’s first new launch in fifteen years, and that potentially more routes could come in the future. Furthermore, Borawski also added that Alaska Airlines "has been a tremendous partner of ours” and then explained the use of their mileage program. Bookings are doing well, especially with the “wonderful aircraft” the 787 Dreamliner is.

Speaking with a passenger, she explained that she and her family were happy the flight was a direct service without having to connect at Los Angeles International (LAX) or another airport.

Furthermore to Nat Pieper, Alaska Airlines’ senior vice president of fleet, finance and alliances;

“Just as the weather begins to turn in the Pacific Northwest, our guests can now chase the warm sun all the way to Tahiti with a convenient nonstop flight from Seattle on Air Tahiti Nui. Air Tahiti Nui is a terrific new global airline partner for us, further connecting the West Coast to the South Pacific with world-class service and amenities on their Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner planes. With so much beauty, Tahiti is truly an aspirational destination.”

Details of the flight

787 Heading Out to Tahiti - A Boeing 787-9 of Air Tahiti Nui leaving Seattle-Tacoma International Airport
An Air Tahiti Nui Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner turning onto the active taxiway to fly off to Tahiti from Seattle.
Photo: Joe Kunzler | Simple Flying

Air Tahiti Nui will be using its Boeing 787s to connect Seattle-Tacoma International Airport with Tahiti. The flights have a great circle distance of 7,699 KM or 4,785 MI, taking eight hours, forty-seven minutes to complete. Below is a table of basic information about the flights:

Route

Days

Departs

Arrives

Flight #

Seattle to Tahiti

Wednesday, Sunday

12:40 p.m.

7:10 p.m.

TN51

Tahiti to Seattle

Tuesday, Saturday

10:00 p.m.

10:25 a.m. (+1)

TN52

The 4,785 miles is well within the 8,786.2 mi range of the Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner, especially as the aircraft is intended to be an efficient choice for long range point-to-point routes. The 787-9 can elegantly haul 294 passengers efficiently on some of the longest flights in the world.

Air Tahiti Nui has four Dreamliners in its fleet. According to the airlinei, the first 787-9 Dreamliner to connect Seattle to Tahiti - FAKARAVA - carries the registration MUA, meaning forward, which is where Air Tahiti is going with this new route.

Will you consider this route? Let us know in the comments please.

  • New Seattle-Tacoma International SkyBridge Taken From the Air
    Seattle-Tacoma International Airport
    IATA/ICAO Code:
    SEA/KSEA
    Country:
    United States
    CEO:
    Lance Lyttle
    Passenger Count :
    20,061,507 (2020)
    Runways :
    16L/34R - 3,627m (11,901ft) | 16C/34C - 2,873m (9,426ft) | 16R/34L - 2,591m (8,500ft)