French Polynesian carrier Air Tahiti has taken delivery of a new ATR 72-600 equipped with the ATR HighLine All-Business Class cabin, becoming the second airline in the world to introduce this configuration. The aircraft, designed to provide a premium travel experience on regional routes within French Polynesia, is expected to enter commercial service in December 2026.

Unlike standard ATR 72-600 aircraft, which typically accommodate approximately 70 to 78 passengers, Air Tahiti’s new aircraft features just 26 business-class seats. The seats are arranged in a 1-1 configuration, providing every passenger with direct aisle access while offering greater privacy and comfort throughout the flight. The cabin features increased personal space, dedicated storage compartments, and USB-A and USB-C charging ports for electronic devices. A specially designed ceiling further enhances the sense of spaciousness and natural light within the passenger cabin.

The new aircraft will serve as the centerpiece of Air Tahiti Signature, a premium service through which the airline aims to offer an enhanced travel experience on flights between Tahiti and popular tourist destinations in French Polynesia, including Bora Bora, Raiatea, and Tahaa. The first commercial flight is scheduled for December this year, with the aircraft operating both scheduled services and charter flights.

The aircraft’s interior was developed in close collaboration between ATR and Air Tahiti, incorporating elements of traditional Polynesian culture into a contemporary cabin design. The new service will also include dedicated ground services and an enhanced onboard offering, creating a comprehensive premium experience for passengers.

The delivery of the new ATR 72-600 forms part of Air Tahiti’s ongoing fleet renewal program and continues a partnership with the manufacturer spanning nearly four decades. Regional turboprop aircraft play an essential role in connecting the numerous islands of French Polynesia, where relatively short distances, limited infrastructure, and specific operational conditions make this aircraft type particularly suitable.

Air Tahiti is the second airline to introduce the ATR HighLine All-Business Class configuration, following Malaysia’s Berjaya Air, which placed the world’s first ATR 72-600 in this configuration into service earlier this year. The aircraft represents part of ATR’s broader strategy to develop cabin configurations tailored to different market segments, including luxury tourism and business travel.

By introducing a configuration featuring just 26 seats, Air Tahiti aims to strengthen its position in the premium tourism segment, particularly in French Polynesia, where destinations such as Bora Bora attract high-spending travelers. At the same time, the new aircraft demonstrates how regional turboprops, traditionally associated with carrying larger numbers of passengers on short-haul routes, can also find a place in the luxury air travel market.