Air Tahiti Nui Unveils Livery, Cabin Features for New Dreamliner

By    James Shillinglaw,  Jun 01, 2018

Air Tahiti Nui, the leading carrier to French Polynesia, unveiled a new livery and cabin features for its four new Boeing 787-9 Dreamliners. The new “Tahitian Dreamliner” will begin operating in November 2018 on its first flights between Tahiti and Auckland, New Zealand and three times a week to Los Angeles.

“Our Dreamliner fleet begins a new chapter in our proud history of connecting Tahiti to the world,” said Nicholas Panza, vice president of the Americas for Air Tahiti Nui. “We’ve selected what we believe to be the best aircraft flying the skies, and we’ve made it uniquely Tahitian from our new livery to our cabin design. The choice of the Boeing 787-9 also aligns with our core value of creating exceptional and heartfelt experiences that help build a positive and sustainable future.”

The all new Tahitian Dreamliner will feature two bright red lines on its sides representing the flag of Tahiti, a symbol of the 118 different islands of French Polynesia and its people. The three shades of blue throughout draw inspiration from the ocean, the lagoon and the skies over Tahiti, while a collection of native tattoos grace the rear portion of the fleet telling a visual story about the island and its people.

The collection of tattoos include the tiare flower encircled by ripples on the water with flocks of birds that represent friendship and helping others; a manta ray that represents wisdom, protection and elegance; a whale representing strength and abundance; a seagull representing freedom and the ability to rise above to gain an elevated perspective; a Tiki and Tiki eye that watches over the flights, providing symbolic protection; ocean waves representing home, life and continuity; and fish hooks symbolizing prosperity, abundance and luck.

The Tahitian Dreamliner’s spacious layout features a dramatically lit entryway that welcomes guests onboard. The vaulted ceiling stretching upward provides extra space with sidewalls that are more vertical to give guests more shoulder and head room, ultimately creating a more luxurious inflight experience for all travelers.

Guests onboard will have access to Panasonic’s most advanced inflight entertainment system, audio video on demand at every seat through multi-touch screen ensuring that every passenger enjoys an immersive and entertaining experience while on board. 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. High-speed Internet will be accessible directly with the in-seat system and via PDA through onboard Wi-Fi.

Air Tahiti Nui’s new Dreamliner also will be even more socially conscious than the airline’s previous fleet, further integrating the CSR commitments the company has set for itself and taking into consideration several environment and social issues. The airline continues to move toward a more responsible purchasing approach such as new ecological wheat straw cutlery, weight factors of dishes to optimize fuel consumption and the use of recyclable plastic for waste impact.

The Tahitian Dreamliner addresses two common sources of fatigue from travel. While most airplanes are pressurized to a typical cabin altitude of 6,500 to 7,000 feet, a stronger composite fuselage means the 787 can be pressurized to 6,000 feet, which studies have demonstrated is significantly more comfortable. The cabin also delivers a higher humidity level than in other airplanes, which has been shown to reduce symptoms of dryness and increase comfort for passengers. Air goes through an innovative purification method known as gaseous filtration. By cleaning the cabin air of gaseous contaminants and odors, our guests will experience fewer throat, eye and nose irritations.

The windows of The Tahitian Dreamliner are the largest of any jet—almost 80 percent larger than Air Tahiti Nui’s previous fleet—and positioned higher, so every passenger can see out to the horizon for visual relief and an open cabin feel. Windows can be dimmed electronically at the touch of a button, allowing travelers to choose the brightness they prefer.

The new aircraft also generates a 60 percent smaller sound footprint than that of the airplanes it replaces. Advances by General Electric in engines and engine casings reduce noise and make travel more pleasant for guests, crew and those that live near airports. The Tahitian Dreamliner cuts through the air using Smoother Ride Technology. Smart sensors detect turbulence as it comes and adjust control surfaces automatically which results in reduced up-and-down movement for a consistently smooth, more comfortable ride and an eightfold reduction in motion sickness.

Air Tahiti Nui’s new Dreamliner fleet will seat a total of 294 passengers onboard and will offer three different seating options including Poerava Business, Moana Premium and Moana Economy.

Poerava Business: The Poerava Business cabin features a total of 30 seats configured in five rows on a six-abreast (2x2x2) arrangement. The business class cabin has been enhanced with the introduction of a 180-degree full-flat seat for sleeping and a wide range of storage areas, designed by Rockwell Collins. Each seat is equipped with a luxurious cushion and cover comfort system, individual touch screen remote control for the inflight entertainment system, and personal lighting and privacy divider. Onboard amenities include a duvet, large pillow and luxury kit of accessories.

Moana Premium: Moana Premium service is the first premium economy product for Air Tahiti Nui. The Moana Premium features a total of 32 seats configured in five rows on a seven-abreast (2x3x2) arrangement. This cabin offers a more comfortable flying experience with extra leg room and relaxation space. The Z535 seat provided by ZODIA Aerospace, features a recline motion that cradles the passenger while optimizing living space. Onboard amenities include blanket, pillow and complete kit of accessories.

Moana Economy: The two Moana Economy class cabins feature a total of 232 seats specifically designed for long-haul travel by ZODIAC Aerospace. The Z300’s articulating seat pan are installed on a nine-abreast (3x3x3) and make for one of the best next generation long-rage economy class seats available in the industry. Onboard amenities include blanket, pillow and complete kit of personal accessories.

For additional information, click on Tahitian Dreamliner. For more information on the airline, click on Air Tahiti Nui.