Flying Air Tahiti Nui with Baby
Last Updated on Feb 23, 2024
Flying Air Tahiti Nui with a baby or toddler can be daunting due to long flight times. Don’t worry though! We’ve flown Air Tahiti Nui with a baby and toddler 4 times, and also flown their regional carrier Air Tahiti a few times (including longer flights). I can honestly say that it’s the most baby-friendly airline I’ve ever used!
Air Tahiti Nui Flying with Infant
Air Tahiti Nui accepts newborns as young as 2 days old however all children under 7 days must have a letter from a doctor that clears them for air travel.
As with most airlines, you have three options for flying with a baby under 2 years old. You can chose to have them travel on your lap, sleep in a bassinet, or be seated in an infant safety seat with their own assigned seat.
If you choose to travel with an infant seat, you must pay for a child’s ticket and provide your own FAA-approved seat (more on that later).
Infant Food on Air Tahiti Nui
Air Tahiti Nui offers a range of baby meals suitable for kids up to 1-year-old that will provide your little one with all the nutrients they require during the flight.
All the staff was extremely kind to our kids making sure we have all the food and formula, along with snacks available when needed.
However, if your infant is not yet on solids, you may need to bring your own milk/formula or be prepared to breastfeed on board. We had to have milk heated and it was never an issue to ask for hot water for fomula.
Air Tahiti Nui Lap Infant
The price of a ticket for an infant in arms on Air Tahiti Nui is just 10% of the cost of an adult ticket however this means you will not have a designated seat for your child.
You can only have one child traveling as a lap infant per adult ticket, so if you are traveling alone with kids, you’ll need to book your second child a seat of their own and bring an approved car seat.
When booking your family travel, make sure to look for the option to add a lap baby to the reservation so that everyone is registered for the flight.
As you need to pay a small fee to bring an infant on the flight regardless of whether or not they have a seat, you must book them a ticket in advance.
Baby Facilities on Air Tahiti Nui
All of the lavatories on Air Tahiti Nui are fitted with baby change tables so you don’t have to worry about trying to change over a tiny toilet while onboard.
You will also be given a baby comfort kit which includes things like a rattle, bib, diaper, wipes, and talcum powder which is great if you forgot something you need or have any unexpected accidents along the way.
Air Tahiti Nui Car Seat Policy
If your baby or toddler has their own assigned seat during the flight but cannot yet sit up unassisted, they must travel in an approved car seat.
Car seats can’t be used in emergency exit rows or behind exit rows and not in bulk head rows. On most planes, car seats cannot be installed in business or first class seats due to the angle of each row.
Similar to Emirates policies, if a car seat is blocking the recline of the person in front (which is basically any infant bucket car seat) it won’t be allowed. Don’t even attempt to bring a bucket car seat that cannot be installed forward facing – flight attendants will be forced to ask to you deinstall it and gate check it (that includes Doona!).
Accepted Car Seats on Air Tahiti Nui
Air Tahiti Nui has quite a few requirements when it comes to acceptable car seats (more than other airlines), so make sure to read them all and check that your seat complies before booking.
Accepted car seats must:
- Be forward facing
- Not be damaged in any way
- Fit within the width and depth of the plane seat
- Have a safety harness for your child
- Have a tab indicating it meets FAA standards
Baby carriers, booster seats, and any car seats that are only secured by rigid bar lower anchors are also not allowed to be used on Air Tahiti Nui flights.
Baggage Allowance for Babies and Kids on Air Tahiti Nui & Air Tahiti
The Air Tahiti Nui baby policy allows you to bring up to 22 lbs (10kg) of checked baggage and 6.6 lbs (3kg) of carry-on luggage for your lap baby in addition to your own baggage allowances.
We didn’t encounter any luggage weighing, apart from a little flight from Moorea to Bora Bora when a stroller had to be checked a the check-in desk (but don’t worry, it’s basically one room of an airport).
Any children traveling with their own ticketed seat is allowed the same amount of baggage as an adult flying on the same route.
Bassinet on Air Tahiti Nui with Baby
A limited number of bassinets are available on each Air Tahiti Nui flight free of charge to anyone who has booked an adult seat.
The bassinets are 75.3 cm (29.6in) in length, 34.3 cm (13.5in) in width and 22.4 cm (8.8in) in height so are suitable for infants up to 75cm long with a maximum weight of 14 kg (30.8 lbs).
How to Reserve a Bassinet/Carrycot
Since there is a limited amount of bassinets and they are not compatible with every seat, you must reserve your bassinet when booking your tickets.
The bassinets are also only compatible with certain seats throughout the plane so it’s important you choose the correct seats for yourself while making your booking.
Bassinets can be placed in front of seats 1A (Poverava Business class), 10A and 10L (Moana Premium class), 18A, 18L, and 32D (Moana Economy class.)
Air Tahiti Nui Stroller Policy
When traveling with kids under 7, you can check ONE item such as a folding stroller, bassinet, or car seat per child free of charge in addition to your regular baggage allowance, however, only the stroller can be gate-checked.
Keep in mind that a travel crib does not count as a baby item and is subject to an additional charge. Honestly, it makes no sense to bring it anyway as every hotel in Tahiti offers a crib for your baby.
You may carry on your car seat if it’s going to be used onboard, otherwise, you must check it in at the ticket desk with your regular luggage.
The only exception is a Doona that can be brought to the gate as it doubles as a stroller, but then must be gate checked.
Flying with a Toddler on Air Tahiti Nui (Over 2 Years Old)
When flying with a toddler over 2 years old on Air Tahiti Nui, they must have their own seat reservation and be accompanied by an adult in the same cabin.
But you certainly don’t have to worry about your kids getting board on this flight, Air Tahiti Nui not only offers a great entertainment system with cartoons and games, but all kids between the ages of 2 and 7 years old will receive a kids travel kit.
Inside the kid’s travel kit, you will find a pencil case with drawing equipment, a magic blackboard, a flight certificate, an activity book, and a toothbrush kit.
Kid’s Meal Options on Air Tahiti Nui
During the booking process, you have the option to select a “special children’s meal”. These meals are easy to digest and suitable to children’s tastes.
They were colorful, inviting and my kids loved the entire experience – despite having to fly back and forth within days which was exhausting.
Are Airplane Beds for Baby or Toddler Allowed?
No, airplane beds are not allowed on Air Tahiti Nui flights due to their safety regulations.
