Air Tahiti Nui Launches Seattle to Paris Flight This Summer

There’s a new option from the U.S. to Paris, and it’s on an unsuspecting carrier.

Air Tahiti Nui, a partner of both American Airlines and Alaska Airlines, is launching twice a week service from Seattle to Paris, a continuation of its flight from Papeete to Seattle. If you’re on the West Coast and need a flight to Paris, this new flight provides another option for you.

New Flight

The New Air Tahiti Nui flight will start on June 13, 2023.

It will operate from Seattle on Tuesdays and Saturdays, and operate from Paris on Wednesdays and Sundays. As you can see, this flight is only twice a week. You’re probably wondering why in the world Air Tahiti Nui would start such a service; there are a few reasons to keep in mind:

• Tahiti is a French-speaking country, and people there want to fly to Paris, but the distance is too long for a nonstop flight, so Air Tahiti Nui currently operates to Los Angeles and then onward to Paris, and now will add that option from Seattle. For people in Tahiti, it provides another connection option.
• Air Tahiti Nui likely expects some origin and destination traffic from Seattle to Paris and vice versa. Currently, Delta and Air France operate a nonstop flight from there, but Air Tahiti Nui will add additional capacity with its flight.
• French tourists are looking for warm getaways, and the French-speaking country of Tahiti offers a perfect excuse. With the number of major companies headquartered in Seattle and the limited amount of options from Europe into the South Pacific region, Air Tahiti Nui is likely playing into a lot of French interest in the route.

This flight will be operated by a Boeing 787-9, and this will offer 30 seats in the business class cabin, arranged in a 2-2-2 configuration, with all lie-flat seats.

Here is the new flight schedule:

• Departs Seattle (SEA) 2:30 p.m. — Arrive Paris (CDG) 9:00 a.m. (+1)
• Departs Paris (CDG) 12:05 p.m. — Arrive Seattle (SEA) 1:20 p.m.

If you’re looking to redeem American Airlines AAdvantage miles, American charges 57,500 one-way in business class, a fantastic deal for a flight of this length.

Hot Tip: Consider the various ways to fly to Paris with points and miles, and check out our recommendations for Paris hotels to book with points and miles!

Final Thoughts

If you’re looking for another way to get to Europe from the U.S., this new Air Tahiti Nui flight from Seattle to Paris is a great option. Air Tahiti Nui tends to have decent award availability, and because it’s a partner with both American Airlines and Alaska Airlines, it’s easy to redeem miles for these seats.