Air Tahiti Nui Business Class – The Paradise Express

• Airline: Air Tahiti Nui
• Class: Business Class
• Route: Auckland (AKL) – Papeete (PPT)
• Aircraft: Boeing 787-9

As I continue my 2025 tour of global carriers, I recently found myself in Auckland with a ticket to one of the most remote “domestic” hubs in the world: French Polynesia. Flying with Air Tahiti Nui is often called the “Paradise Express,” and after a 5-hour hop across the Pacific, it’s easy to see why.

The journey began with a pleasant surprise. At the Auckland check-in counter, I managed to snag a Business Class upgrade for just €300. For a 5-hour flight on a Dreamliner, that is an absolute steal. Before boarding, I spent some time in the Strata Lounge. While the food spread was impressive, the lounge was packed to capacity, making it a bit difficult to find a quiet corner.

Stepping onto the Boeing 787-9, the first thing you notice is the hospitality—every passenger is handed a fresh Tiare flower, the symbol of Tahiti. The Business Class cabin (Poerava Business) consists of 30 seats in a 2-2-2 layout. While most top-tier airlines have moved to 1-2-1 configurations for direct aisle access, these seats are still incredibly comfortable for a medium-haul flight, though the “hard product” does feel a generation behind.

One of my favorite parts of the flight was the crew. There’s a misconception that island-based airlines operate on a slow, “relaxed” schedule, but the Air Tahiti Nui team was sharp, fast, and incredibly professional. I also had the pleasure of chatting with my seatmate, a retired history teacher from Hong Kong, who made the flight fly by.

For lunch, I opted for the beef, and it did not disappoint. It was perfectly cooked, tender, and flavorful, easily one of the better meals I’ve had at 35,000 feet recently. If you’re a wine lover, their list is surprisingly extensive, though I stuck to water as I was “at the office”.

It wasn’t all perfect. If you’re planning to work, be prepared to pay. Their Wi-Fi rates are among the highest I’ve seen: $100 for a 700MB package. Additionally, the In-Flight Entertainment (IFE) system was a bit sparse on content, which might be an issue on their ultra-long-haul 22-hour “domestic” flight to Paris.

Air Tahiti Nui offers a charming, high-quality experience that truly starts the “vacation” the moment you board. Despite the outdated seating layout and the highway robbery that is their Wi-Fi pricing, the warmth of the crew and the quality of the catering make it a highly recommended way to reach paradise.

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This is it guys, wherever you’re off to, have a safe trip!