Air Tahiti Nui has taken delivery of its first Boeing aircraft with the handover of its first 787-9 Dreamliner, via lease from ALC.
The Dreamliner will replace the carrier’s current fleet of A340s which are being retired in order to connect its home base in the South Pacific with world capitals such as Paris, Tokyo and Los Angeles.
Air Tahiti Nui configured its new Dreamliner to seat 294 passengers in three classes. The cabin features a new Poerava business class equipped with 30 full lie-flat seats designed by Rockwell Collins.
Installed at a 60 inches of pitch, the new business class product moves into a fully flat 78 inches bed for sleeping. Each seat is equipped with a luxurious cushion and cover comfort system for restful travel. The seats also offer an individual touch screen remote control for the in-flight entertainment system, personal lighting and privacy divider.
The Tahitian Dreamliner inaugurates Air Tahiti Nui’s first premium economy product. Zodiac Aerospace has provided its Z535 Premium Economy class seat. The cabin offers a more comfortable flying experience with extra leg room and relaxation space. The Z535 seat features a unique recline motion that cradles the passenger while optimizing living space.
The 20.4 inches wide seats are installed at a pitch of 38 inches and offer a recline of 8 inches.
The two Moana Economy class cabins feature a total of 232 seats specially designed for long-haul travel by Zodiac Aerospace. The Z300s are installed on a nine-abreast (3-3-3) configuration with a pitch of 31 inches offering a seat recline of 6 inches for improved comfort.
All passengers have access to a Panasonic IFE system, offering Audio Video on Demand (AVOD) at every seat through multi-touch screens. Business class seats will be equipped with 16-inch screens, Premium Economy will feature 13-inch screens and Economy class will have 12-inch screens.
Guests will be able to stay connected with Panasonic’s eXConnect satellite broadband during the airline’s short- and long-haul flights from Los Angeles, Paris, Auckland and Tokyo to Tahiti. Additionally, high speed internet will be accessible directly with the in-seat system and via PDA through on-board Wi-Fi.
“Our dream has finally become reality with the arrival of Air Tahiti Nui’s first 787-9 Dreamliner,” said Michel Monvoisin, chief executive officer and chairman of Air Tahiti Nui. “The Tahitian Dreamliner will make flying to one of the world’s treasures an unforgettable experience, as we introduce new seats and a culturally inspired cabin on the 787. As we celebrate our 20th anniversary this year, the 787 Dreamliner will guide us towards another successful 20 years and beyond.”
The airline announced in 2015 it would lease two 787s through ALC and purchase two 787s directly from Boeing as part of its plan to upgrade its fleet for the future.
