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Air Tahiti (VT) Guide

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A practical guide to Air Tahiti: the network from PPT, the ATR 72-600 and the rest of the fleet, luggage rules, check-in and cheaper fares. Ask a question
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In short

Air Tahiti is the regional airline of French Polynesia, based at Faaʼa International on Tahiti. ATR 42 and ATR 72 turboprops serve 48 destinations, mostly islands across French Polynesia, plus Rarotonga in the Cook Islands. It is the airline to look at for island-hopping holidays. Air Tahiti is not in an alliance and sells Economy seats only.

For most travellers in French Polynesia, an island-hopping itinerary means flying Air Tahiti, whose small turboprops are sized for the short runways found across the territory.

Please note: bookingMentor is an independent travel service and is not affiliated with Air Tahiti. Routes, schedules, fleet and baggage rules change, so always confirm the details of your booking with the airline.

What to expect

Air Tahiti (IATA: VT, ICAO: VTA) is the domestic airline of French Polynesia, based at Faaʼa International Airport in Papeete on Tahiti. It flies ATR turboprops from Tahiti to 48 destinations, including Bora Bora, Moorea, Rangiroa and the Marquesas, plus Rarotonga in the Cook Islands, and it is how most visitors reach the outer islands after landing on an international flight.

From seaplanes to ATRs

Jean Arbelot and Marcel Lasserre founded the company in July 1950, starting with seaplane flights between Papeete, Raiatea and Bora Bora. The Air Tahiti brand was dropped in 1953 and returned in 1987. In 1985 the French airline UTA sold most of its shares in Air Polynésie, the predecessor company, with 25% going to the territorial government. Today the Government of French Polynesia is the parent company. Air Tahiti is described as the largest private employer in French Polynesia.

Island routes from Faaʼa

The network centres on Faaʼa, the same airport international flights use. From there Air Tahiti flies to islands such as Moorea, Raiatea and Bora Bora, Rangiroa in the Tuamotus and the Marquesas, 48 destinations in all. Check the timetable for each leg before fixing an island-hopping itinerary. Rarotonga in the Cook Islands is the airline's international route.

Passenger growth from 1987 to 2007

Air Tahiti's traffic grew from 75 million passenger-kilometres in 1987 to 315 million in 2007.

Codeshares with Air Rarotonga and Air Tahiti Nui

Air Tahiti has codeshare agreements with Air Rarotonga and with Air Tahiti Nui, the international airline of French Polynesia, and an interline agreement with French Bee. Travellers arriving on Air Tahiti Nui can look for codeshare connections onto Air Tahiti flights.

Fact-checked by the bookingMentor Travel Desk Reviewed · Updated when rules or prices change

Checked against trusted sources:
Air Tahiti official website

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  1. Air Tahiti official website
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Good to know

  • AllianceNone
  • Founded1950

Everything you should know

Airline codes

VT · VTA

IATA · ICAO · callsign “AIR TAHITI”

Every Air Tahiti flight number begins with VT. Flight-tracking sites and air traffic control use the ICAO code VTA, and the radio callsign is AIR TAHITI.

Key facts

Main hub

Papeete (PPT)

Faaʼa International

Network

48 destinations

French Polynesia · Cook Islands

Air Tahiti links Tahiti with 47 other islands across French Polynesia, including Bora Bora, Moorea, Rangiroa and the Marquesas, plus Rarotonga in the Cook Islands.

Destinations

Cabin classes

Economy

All flights use ATR 42 and ATR 72 turboprops. All flights are economy on ATR turboprops.

About the cabin

Good to know

Air Tahiti is the largest private employer in French Polynesia, and one of its destinations is Rarotonga in the Cook Islands. Air Tahiti’s own website is airtahiti.com.

Start a new search

bookingMentor lists VT fares beside the other carriers on the same route, which shows quickly whether Air Tahiti is the cheaper way to reach Bora Bora.

Enjoy your Air Tahiti flight!

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At a glance

Air Tahiti (IATA: VT, ICAO: VTA) is the regional airline of French Polynesia, based at Faaʼa International Airport on Tahiti. Founded in 1950, it flies ATR 42-600 and ATR 72-600 turboprops to 48 destinations, mostly islands in French Polynesia, plus Rarotonga.

Key facts about Air Tahiti
HeadquartersFaaʼa International Airport, Tahiti, French Polynesia
Fleet typesATR 72-600 and ATR 42-600
Official websiteairtahiti.com

Flight routes

Destinations and routes

Direct routes
Air Tahiti serves the places below according to its published network. Routes are added, paused and rescheduled, so confirm the current Air Tahiti timetable when you search. Search flights

Society Islands

Papeete (PPT) departures5 destinations

Check all

Fleet and aircraft

The fleet has 12 aircraft in service: two ATR 42-600s and ten ATR 72-600s. Six more aircraft are on order.

  • ATR 72-600 Turboprop · 10 in service Main inter-island routes
  • ATR 42-600 Turboprop · 2 in service Smaller island airports

Cabin classes

Air Tahiti sells a single cabin, Economy, so every passenger sits in the same section.

Economy All flights

Single cabin

One cabin on every flight.

Island views

Frequent flyer programme

Details of the Air Tahiti loyalty programme are being added Add your membership number when you book to earn miles.
Join on the airline's site

Baggage allowance

Air Tahiti does not give every passenger the same allowance: the route, the cabin and the fare you buy each change it. Your VT e-ticket shows what you have.

Checked baggage
On your e-ticket
Cabin baggage
Set by your fare
Extra bags
Add online before you fly
Power banks
Cabin bag only

Air Tahiti flies ATR turboprops on every route, and the allowance on your ticket applies to each island leg. Passengers connecting from an international flight on the same ticket can have a different allowance, so check what your booking shows.

Pro tip: if you are island-hopping, check the allowance shown for every leg in your booking before you pack.
Travel day

Online Check-in

Air Tahiti check-in comes down to four steps, from checking in online to dropping your bags at Faaʼa International.

  1. Step 1

    Check in online

    Use airtahiti.com to check in for eligible flights. Have your Air Tahiti booking reference or e-ticket number and your surname ready.

    Booking ref + surname
  2. Step 2

    Prepare your documents

    Before leaving for the airport, check that your passport is valid and that you hold any visa or entry document needed at the other end of your Air Tahiti flight. Domestic VT passengers should bring a photo ID the airline accepts.

    Passport · visa · ID
  3. Step 3

    Arrive early

    Each airport has its own Air Tahiti check-in and bag-drop deadline, listed in your booking. Allow extra time for busy terminals and international VT departures.

    Check your deadline
  4. Step 4

    Drop your bags

    Hand in checked luggage at the Air Tahiti counter or bag drop, then keep your boarding pass and passport ready for security and the gate.

    Air Tahiti counter
Ready to check in? Check in and manage your booking on the official Air Tahiti website.
Check in with Air Tahiti
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Cheap tickets

Ways to pay less for an Air Tahiti ticket, from the dates you choose to the fare type you buy.

  1. 01

    Look across the week

    If your dates can move, look at VT flights across the whole week. Midweek seats are often cheaper than weekend ones.

    Midweek flights
  2. 02

    Avoid the holiday peaks

    Holiday peaks push up fares on routes from Papeete. Shift your Air Tahiti trip just outside them where you can.

    School holidays · festivals
  3. 03

    Check what each Air Tahiti fare includes

    An Air Tahiti fare that includes a checked bag, seat choice or cheaper changes can cost less overall than adding those extras later.

    Baggage & changes
  4. 04

    Don’t leave busy routes late

    On busy Air Tahiti routes such as PPT to Bora Bora, booking several weeks ahead usually leaves more fares to choose from.

    Popular routes
  5. 05

    Compare nearby airports

    Cities with two or more airports can give quite different fares. Check each one before settling on an Air Tahiti flight.

    Alternative airports

  6. Ready to compare fares?

    Search Air Tahiti alongside every other airline on your route, with flexible dates.

    Search Air Tahiti flights

Reviews and questions

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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Everything travellers ask before flying Air Tahiti.
Answers checked against Air Tahiti’s official website and published airline records. Reviewed 10 October 2026.

General

No. Air Tahiti flies domestic routes between the islands of French Polynesia, plus a route to Rarotonga. Air Tahiti Nui is the separate long-haul carrier flying to Paris, Los Angeles, Tokyo and Auckland. The two airlines began a codeshare in June 2026.