New Boeing 787-9 aircraft joins Tahitian airline Air Tahiti Nui’s fleet

Oct 09, 2018: American aircraft leasing company Air Lease Corporation (ALC) has delivered the first of two new Boeing 787-9 aircraft on long-term lease to Air Tahiti Nui. This Dreamliner aircraft is from ALC’s order book with Boeing and is powered by GEnx-1B74/75 engines.

This is the first Boeing airplane to join the Tahitian airline, which plans to use the longest-range Dreamliner to replace aging A340s and connect its home base in the South Pacific with world capitals such as Paris, Tokyo and Los Angeles.

Air Tahiti Nui joins other carriers in the Pacific who operate long-distance routes in switching to the super-efficient and long-range 787-9. The airplane can fly up to 7,635 nautical miles (14,140 km), while reducing fuel use and emissions by 20 to 25 percent compared to older airplanes.

Air Tahiti Nui configured its new Dreamliner to seat 294 passengers in three classes. The cabin features a new business class equipped with 30 full lie-flat seats, along with 32 premium economy seats.

“This aircraft and the second one to follow in early 2019 will bring a new dimension of long-range travel experience for Air Tahiti Nui’s customers, with increased efficiency, better economics and comfort compared to the Airbus A340 aircraft they are replacing,” said Steven F. Udvar-Hazy, executive chairman of Air Lease Corporation.

“ALC has worked very closely with Air Tahiti Nui’s management and shareholders to develop a new optimised long-range fleet plan designed for the airline’s route network operating from Papeete, Tahiti, to the US west coast; Paris, France; Tokyo, Japan; and Auckland, New Zealand,” said Marc Baer, executive vice president of Air Lease Corporation.