Air Tahiti Nui: From None to One In Nine Months.

LOS ANGELES--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Aug. 2, 1999--

In just nine months since it inaugurated service between Los Angeles and Tahiti, Air Tahiti has become the number one carrier of North American passengers on the Los Angeles to Papeete sector, according to Tahiti Tourism's Statistical Department. The airline's Vice President-North America, Lou Leopold, said that during this period the carrier's load factor has consistently grown as the travel trade and consumer public has become familiar with the airline's high level of service and commitment to punctuality as underscored by Air Tahiti Nui's perfect 100% on-time performance.

The airline offers 3 weekly flights between Los Angeles and Papeete on Airbus A340-200 aircraft offering 36 spacious business class (Club Poerava) seats and 250 coach class (Moana) seats. The coach class offers a unique 2-2-2-2 configuration, eliminating the middle seat and making no passenger more than one seat from the aisle.

"We are unique among the 5 carriers serving the route from LA to Papeete in that we offer daylight service which allows Air Tahiti Nui's passengers the ability to reach Tahiti in the early evening of their departure from the United States," said Mr. Leopold. "Our service reflects the hospitality and ambiance of tropical French Polynesia, specially created for the demands of the North American traveler. We are very gratified that our entry into service has been so well received by the public," he added.

Air Tahiti Nui's Flight 001 departs from Los Angeles International Airport's Terminal 5 at 1:00 PM on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays. The flight arrives in Papeete at 6:35 PM the same day in time for dinner and a comfortable evening's sleep. Return flights from Papeete aboard Air Tahiti Nui's Flight 002 depart at 10:45 PM and arrive in Los Angeles at 10:00 AM the following morning. There is a three hour time change between Los Angeles and Papeete. Air Tahiti Nui's schedule provides for convenient connections in both directions from all major U.S. cities and the airline also provides direct connections in Papeete to the magical island of Moorea.

Air Tahiti Nui and its travel partners offer a wide range of vacation tours designed for every budget. The airline uses TN as its two letter code for airline reservations systems and is a co-host in the SABRE reservation system.

For more information about Air Tahiti Nui's schedules or services, the public is invited to contact their travel agent or the airline directly at 300 Continental Blvd., Suite 180, El Segundo, CA 90265. The toll free reservations number is 1-877-TAHITI-N (824-4846).