Air Tahiti Receives Its First ATR Aircraft With Business Class


Air Tahiti reçoit un premier ATR classe affaires - Photo ATR

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Air Tahiti announces the arrival in Tahiti of its first aircraft fully configured in Business Class, named ĀNAPANAPA, and marketed under the name Air Tahiti Signature.

After six days of ferry flight from Toulouse-Francazal, this new ATR 72-600 touched down at Tahiti-Faa’a airport on Monday, October 19, 2026 at 14:00 local time in Papeete.

“ Its arrival marks the start of a new chapter for the airline, which aims to offer a more exclusive, personalized inter-island travel experience that is ever more attentive to passenger comfort, ” states the company in a press release.

Departing Toulouse-Francazal on October 13, the newly configured ATR 72-600 in Business Class crossed three continents and made seven technical stops: in Cairo, Muscat, Hyderabad, Subang, Lombok, Cairns and Nadi, before joining Tahiti-Faa’a airport on October 19 at 14:00 local time.


The first commercial flights of Air Tahiti Signature are scheduled to begin on December 8, 2026

From November 10 to December 7, 2026, Air Tahiti Signature will enter a soft opening phase, dedicated exclusively to tourism professionals. During this period, travel agencies and tour operators will be invited to discover and test this new product.

The first commercial flights of Air Tahiti Signature are planned to begin on December 8, 2026, on the Bora Bora and Raiatea-Taha’a routes.

Air Tahiti Signature offers an end-to-end experience, with a priority ground process, access to dedicated lounges and a shuttle to the aircraft.

On board the ATR 72-600, the cabin configured 1-1 provides an individual seat for each passenger, with direct access to the aisle. Personalized services, refreshments and multimedia contents complete the service, extended on arrival by dedicated assistance and careful handling of luggage.


Airbus: 22-Hour Nonstop Flight Aircraft Takes Off


L’A350-1000ULR a effectué son premier vol à Toulouse - Crédit photo : © Airbus SAS 2026

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This is a first that bodes well for the future.

After two years of delay, the A350-1000ULR carried out its first flight in Toulouse. The aircraft flew for 3 hours and 43 minutes, reaching an altitude of over 12,496 meters.

The crew consisted entirely of personnel dedicated to test flights.

They conducted general performance checks of the aircraft and tested the new fuel-system architecture. The test campaign is expected to last two months.


A350-1000ULR: a range of 18,520 kilometers

At the end of this period, the aircraft named AIB01LR will be outfitted according to Qantas’ commercial specifications.

For reference, the aircraft was developed for the Australian airline and will feature four cabin classes.

It is expected to enable, in 2027, non-stop flights between Sydney and London, spanning a distance of 18,520 kilometers, and to fly 22 hours without a technical stop.

To read: Ultra long-haul: technical feat or future model for commercial aviation?

“This performance is made possible mainly by integrating, into the aircraft’s structure, an additional aft center tank (RCT), which further enhances the aircraft’s performance and increases its range by 1,000 nautical miles (1,852 kilometers, editor’s note),” explains the manufacturer’s press release.

The delivery of this first aircraft is scheduled for April 2027. The second A350-1000ULR is under assembly and is due to roll out of the paint shop in the coming days.

Qantas has ordered 12 A350-1000ULR as part of the Sunrise project.