Sydney - New York via Tahiti - New Weekly Flight from Air Tahiti Nui.

Friday 22nd February, 2008

Air Tahiti Nui, the international airline of Tahiti and her Islands, will introduce a seasonal flight from Sydney to New York, via Tahiti, every Friday from 06 June until 10 October this year.

The one-stop service will require a transit of just over one hour in Papeete, Tahiti, before continuing direct to New York’s John F Kennedy Airport.

Economy Class roundtrip air fares from Sydney are priced from just $1,517 per person, plus taxes, which vary according to the date of travel. From Melbourne, Brisbane and Canberra, fares are priced from just $1,635 plus taxes; ex Adelaide from $1,870 plus taxes; ex Cairns from $2,105 plus taxes and from Perth and Darwin from only $2,223 plus taxes. Indicative taxes for a Sydney-New York return fare are currently AUD$380 per person, increasing to AUD $450 per person if passengers stop over in Tahiti en route.

The New York flight s will depart Sydney at 9.05am, crossing the international dateline and arriving in Tahiti just seven hours later at 7.50 each Thursday night. The onward service will then depart at 9.00pm, arriving in New York just over 12 hours later at 3.10pm on Friday.

“New York is one of the world’s greatest and most exciting cities,” said Craig Lee, Regional Director Australia for Air Tahiti Nui. “It is also becoming increasingly popular with Australians, as evidenced by the announcement this week of the New York tourism organisation, New York and Company, to open a representative office in Sydney.

“Our seasonal flight from Sydney to New York eliminates the need to land in Los Angeles, instead enabling passengers to fly nonstop from Tahiti to JFK Airport, and clear US Customs on arrival,” said Mr Lee. “The arrival time of 3.10pm is outside the peak period, enabling passengers to clear customs and travel to their end destination by late afternoon, in time for dinner, an evening stroll or even a Broadway Show.”

The nonstop flight from Papeete operates overnight, enabling passengers to arrive in New York rested, and ready to maximise activities the following day. As well, passengers can enjoy full international catering and entertainment as they cross the USA - a far better option than retrieving luggage in Los Angeles, changing planes and terminals, then facing the prospect of landing again at an intermediate hub airport, minimal on board catering and a charge for entertainment headsets on a US domestic carrier.

All Air Tahiti Nui flights are operated with three-class Airbus A340-300 aircraft, in which each passenger has a personal video screen featuring a selection of movies, interactive games and information channels.A selection of fine catering is also offered, as well as French wines in all cabins, and French champagne for business and First Class passengers.

Air Tahiti Nui also offers unique Tahitian-style hospitality aboard all flights - friendly, understated and efficient. The consistency of this service has been the key reason for the carrier being named Best Pacific Airline for the past five years in the respected Skytrax Awards for airline excellence.

For more information, or to make a booking, please contact travel agents or visit www.airtahitinui.com.au.