Air Tahiti is expanding its premium travel offering with the arrival of an ATR 72-600 configured entirely with business-class seating, paving the way for the launch of its new Air Tahiti Signature service in December 2026. The aircraft features 26 individual seats in an all-business-class cabin, designed to offer greater comfort, privacy and exclusivity on flights between the islands of French Polynesia.
The aircraft is equipped with the ATR HighLine All-Business Class cabin, making Air Tahiti the second airline to introduce this premium configuration on an aircraft built by the European turboprop manufacturer ATR, following Malaysia-based Berjaya Air.
The new aircraft forms part of Air Tahiti's fleet-renewal programme and is intended to strengthen connectivity between Tahiti and some of French Polynesia's most sought-after destinations, including Bora Bora and Raiatea-Tahaa.
The 26-seat cabin is arranged in a 1-1 configuration, replacing the conventional multi-seat rows typically found on regional turboprop aircraft. Every passenger has direct aisle access and a view of the outside, creating a more exclusive environment for short-haul island travel.
Key cabin features include:
Individual business-class seats: Designed to provide more personal space and comfort.
Greater privacy: Dedicated rows can accommodate couples while maintaining a more private atmosphere.
Personal storage: Dedicated compartments help keep essential items within easy reach.
USB-A and USB-C charging: Passengers can charge compatible electronic devices during the flight.
Executive-style ceiling: A redesigned overhead area creates a brighter, more spacious cabin atmosphere.
The interior was developed in collaboration with Air Tahiti and incorporates design elements inspired by Polynesian culture. The airline's premium concept extends beyond the cabin, with dedicated ground services and an upgraded onboard offering intended to create a more seamless experience from check-in to arrival.
The aircraft will serve as the centrepiece of Air Tahiti Signature, a new premium travel product aimed at passengers seeking a higher level of comfort while travelling around French Polynesia.
The service is planned to connect Tahiti with popular island destinations, particularly Bora Bora and Raiatea-Tahaa. Air Tahiti's previously published plans identify 8 December 2026 as the scheduled start of its all-business-class flights.
For travellers, the concept is intended to combine the exclusivity associated with private aviation with the convenience of scheduled regional flights. Dedicated airport services, additional personal space and a more refined onboard experience will form part of the offering.
The aircraft is also expected to operate on both scheduled services and charter missions, giving the airline flexibility to serve different types of premium demand.
Air Tahiti follows Malaysian operator Berjaya Air, which received the world's first ATR 72-600 fitted with the HighLine All-Business Class cabin in May 2026. Berjaya Air's aircraft also has 26 seats in a 1-1 layout, demonstrating how the ATR 72 platform can be adapted for premium leisure and charter operations.
The HighLine collection represents ATR's effort to broaden the appeal of its turboprops beyond conventional regional transport. Its premium cabin options allow airlines to pursue specialised business models while retaining the operational advantages of turboprop aircraft.
The new aircraft forms part of Air Tahiti's programme to renew its fleet and modernise inter-island services. The airline selected the all-business-class interior for one of four ATR 72-600 aircraft covered by its fleet-renewal order announced in July 2024. The delivery also builds on a relationship with ATR that spans nearly four decades.
ATR 72-600 aircraft are well suited to French Polynesia's dispersed island geography, where dependable regional connections are essential for residents, businesses and tourism. The aircraft's turboprop design offers fuel-efficiency and operational flexibility advantages for regional routes, while the new cabin gives Air Tahiti an opportunity to differentiate its premium product.
The arrival of the aircraft highlights a broader trend in regional aviation: airlines are increasingly exploring higher-value travel experiences rather than competing exclusively on capacity and fares.
For Air Tahiti, the challenge will be to translate the premium cabin into a complete service that meets the expectations of travellers visiting some of the Pacific's most sought-after island destinations.
With the planned December 2026 launch approaching, Air Tahiti Signature will introduce a distinctive proposition to French Polynesia's inter-island market, pairing the efficiency of a regional turboprop with an all-business-class experience.
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