Direct flights to open from Sydney to French Polynesia

It is about to get a lot easier for Australians to fly to French Polynesia. 

Air Tahiti Nui this week announced an expansion of its international network with the launch of a new direct route between Papeete and Sydney. 

The new service is part of the airline’s strategy to strengthen long-term connectivity between French Polynesia and the major regional hubs of the South Pacific. Air Tahiti Nui previously used to serve Sydney until 2009.

The route is scheduled to launch on Monday, December 14. Air Tahiti Nui will operate two flights per week, providing travellers with a direct, regular and nonstop option between Tahiti and Australia. 

The new connection will significantly reduce travel time and simplify journeys between the two regions, travel news hub Travel Mole reports. 

French-accented Tahiti and its Islands have a growing appeal for Australian travellers with 8,165 Australian visitors in 2025. 

“We are very pleased to announce this new direct route between Papeete and Sydney," Lionel Guérin, CEO of Air Tahiti Nui, said. 

"With two direct flights per week and thanks to the code-share agreement with Qantas, this service will provide Australian travellers with greater comfort and more frequency options, especially when combined with our twice-weekly service to Auckland in New Zealand.”

Ticket sales are expected to open later this month. 

Cruise line doing its bit for the environment

Cruise ships do not always have the best reputation when it comes to looking after the environment, but small ship cruising company Windstar Cruises is bucking that trend. 

For the past year, Windstar has partnered with Coral Gardeners, a Moorea (French Polynesia)-based organisation that aims to revolutionise ocean conservation and create a global movement to save coral reefs through reef restoration, awareness activities, and innovative solutions. 

Windstar Cruises has just announced new efforts to support Coral Gardeners including the expansion of its coral reef adoption program for cruise guests, a new educational shore excursion in Tahiti, and its recently launched informative speaker series on coral reef preservation.

The partnership launched in October 2022 onboard Star Breeze in Moorea with the option for all guests sailing on a cruise in French Polynesia to adopt a coral for a $35 per person donation.

Windstar has now expanded the program allowing all guests sailing in any destination the opportunity to adopt a coral.

To date, Windstar, along with its guests, has adopted over 2,400 corals and expect to exceed its goal of 2,500 by the end of the year. 

The cruise line’s goal is to open a dedicated nursery supporting 5,000 corals in 2025.

Beginning in 2024 in Tahiti, when Star Breeze returns to this region with a brand-new itinerary including the Marquesas, Windstar will introduce a new shore excursion taking guests to the Coral Gardeners facility to meet the team, visit the nurseries, and learn about the importance of protecting the corals. 

Staff from Coral Gardeners will explain their process of selecting heat-resistant coral, growing coral in nurseries, and replanting healthy coral on damaged reefs to restore the ecosystem and bring back marine diversity.

In an effort to continue to raise awareness, Windstar Cruises has also recently launched an engagement speaker series on board ships calling in Moorea.

"We are proud of this important partnership with Coral Gardeners and the support and interest from our guests,” said Windstar president Christopher Prelog. 

"Having sailed in Tahiti for more than 35 years, Windstar has a deep-rooted relationship with the destination and is excited about the work and positive impact Coral Gardeners is making for the health of our oceans. By working with Coral Gardeners, we can actively contribute to the preservation of these fragile ecosystems and inspire meaningful change."

Learn more about Windstar Cruises’ partnership with Coral Gardeners here. For more information on Windstar Cruises visit www.windstarcruises.com. 

The all-suite 312-guest Star Breeze takes over from Wind Spirit in February 2024 as the year-round ship in Tahiti.

Travellers left stranded in Tahiti

There are worse places to be stranded, but hundreds of travellers have been left in limbo in French Polynesia.

A cabin crew strike by union members at Air Tahiti Nui has forced the cancellation of multiple flights.

The indefinite strike has seen Air Tahiti Nui flights to Auckland - which are codeshare services for Qantas customers.

It affects connecting flights to Sydney, Brisbane and Perth for those stuck in Tahiti.
Flights across French Polynesia are also impacted.

Cabin crew have walked out over pay and conditions.

“Each customer will be contacted individually as soon as a new departure option is found,” the airline said.

“Our teams are also actively involved in finding accommodation solutions to minimise the inconvenience.”

Full refunds are being offered for customers wishing to cancel their tickets - although their options are limited.

Flyers are being advised to confirm flights and to not check out of their accommodation until onward travel is confirmed.