Starting November 1, 2006, Air France is set to increase its number of weekly flights from Los Angeles to Papeete from three to four. The airline, who now uses 433-passenger Boeing 747 aircraft, will switch to the smaller 272-passenger Airbus A340. Though the number of flights will increase, the weekly capacity will actually drop from 1,299 to 1,088, thereby allowing for fewer empty seats per flight.

Air France

In an unprecedented addition to her annual schedule of 15-day cruises out of Tahiti exploring the enchanting Marquesas Islands, the 207-passenger-freighter Aranui 3 will embark on a one-time, first-ever, eight-day Austral Islands cruise in January of 2007. Aranui will sail out of Papeete to visit Rurutu, Rimatara, Raivavae, and Rapa, offering passengers the opportunity to explore a less-traveled group of Polynesian Islands.

Aranui

Bora Bora Cruises signed an agreement with Edmiston, one of the world’s foremost yachting companies, to offer their customers the islands of Tahiti! Besides the existing program covering the Leeward islands, namely Bora Bora, Taha’a, Raiatea, and Huahine, Bora Bora Cruises has designed new itineraries to visit Tahiti, Moorea, and beyond to several other islands within the Tuamotu archipelago. On another note, the ships will be on dry dock from Sunday January 28, 2007 until Monday March 05, 2007.

Bora Bora Cruises

Le Taha'a Private Island & Spa will close its doors for a complete refurbishment from January 8 to March 4, 2007. The project includes renovations of the entire property and construction of new facilities: 2 Beach Presidential Suites, 1 overwater Presidential Suite, a 'Fare' (house) dedicated to Pilates and a Fitness Center, an extension of the Manea Spa, relocation of the dive center, and the opening of a lounge to include a pool table, library, media room and internet access.

Le Taha'a Private Island and Spa

Tikehau Pearl Beach Resort and Manihi Pearl Beach Resort have been selected to be part of Select Hotels & Resorts International, a network of independent hotels, resorts and retreats throughout Australia, New Zealand, Asia and the South Pacific. Founded by Richard Rosebery, one of Small Luxury Hotels’ original founders, the group’s focus on Pacific Rim destinations is attributed to the increase in travelers to the South Pacific, which has become one of the fastest-growing travel destinations in the world.

Pearl Resorts and Spa

Sofitel/Accor Hotels has officially released the reopening date for the Sofitel Ia Ora, scheduled for November 1st, 2006. Reservations made between September 1st and October 31st will indeed be honored under the same conditions at equivalent hotels as Sofitel Ia Ora Moorea.

Sofitel Ia Ora

The recently opened 100-villa St. Regis Resort on Bora Bora has set the standard for luxury in the South Pacific. Each of the million-plus dollar villas offer an impressive list of amenities, including 24-hour concierge, signature room service, and the legendary St. Regis Butler Service, one of many “firsts” that the resort has brought to Tahiti. Not only does the resort have three world-class restaurants and the largest resort beach in the region, but the newly opened 13,000 square-foot Miri Miri Spa – the first spa in Tahiti to occupy its own private island – sets the Regis Resort apart from any other resort in the South Pacific. Milton Sgarbi, General Manager of the St. Regis Resort and 18-year veteran in the luxury hospitality industry Bora Bora, notes, “the resort, which opened on June 20, will enchant travelers with "the most luxurious, secluded and breathtaking resort in the region.” All things considered, there is little wonder that the resort has already attracted celebrity clientele.

St Regis, Bora Bora