When Air Moana carried its first passengers in February 2023, it entered one of the Pacific's most established domestic markets with a clear ambition: to offer a genuine alternative. Starting with two aircraft, the carrier has since grown to a fleet of four ATR 72-600s serving eight island routes, steadily easing the seat shortages that have long complicated trip planning for residents and visitors alike.
Routes connecting Tahiti to Bora Bora, Moorea, and Rangiroa, popular with travelers from California and the broader U.S. West Coast, were among the first priorities. Schedules are engineered to align with long-haul arrivals, allowing passengers to connect seamlessly to inter-island flights and build multi-destination itineraries without backtracking through Tahiti.
Onboard, the experience draws on local culture: cabin colors inspired by sea and sky, locally sourced vanilla biscuits and fruit-based treats, and a trolley service uncommon on short regional hops. Seat assignments keep families together, and international visitors are placed, where possible, on the left side of the aircraft for the arrival views.
"For many visitors, a trip to French Polynesia is a once-in-a-lifetime experience," says Marania Boixière, Chief Customer Experience Officer. "Our role is not just to transport them, but to ensure that every step of their journey is memorable." French Polynesia, she adds, is only a few hours from Hawaii, closer than most West Coast travelers realize.
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