Hey everyone,

I'm travelling to French Polynesia (Tahiti, Moorea, Rangiroa and Fakarava) in two weeks and was hoping to get some advice from anyone who's flown with Air Tahiti.

Their carry-on policy says the limit is 5 kg, which doesn't leave much room for camera gear. I'm travelling with a Nauticam housing for a Sony A7R VI, along with a WACP-C, and I normally carry everything in a Wandrd Hexad Access Duffel backpack as my carry-on. I've never had any issues with major airlines or other regional carriers, but I know Air Tahiti operates smaller aircraft and I'm a bit concerned about how strictly they enforce the carry-on weight limit.

Has anyone travelled with underwater camera equipment on Air Tahiti? Were they strict about the 5 kg limit, or did they mainly care about the size of the bag? I'd really prefer not to check my camera gear if I can avoid it.2

I'd really appreciate hearing about your experiences or any tips. Thanks!

Hi,

I flew the same route (Tahiti, Moorea, Rangiroa and Fakarava) with Air Tahiti, though it was a few years ago. Even back then, the limit for hand luggage was 5 kg. I had two Lowepro camera backpacks. You simply have to pay excess baggage fees. At check-in, you just need to explain or show that it is camera equipment. Back then, you were allowed to take it onto the plane as hand luggage. Since it wouldn't fit in the overhead bins, it was stowed at the back of the cabin and handed back to you when you disembarked. Do not know current situation. But this is how my equipment was handled in other countries travelling with small planes over the last years.

Br Markus

2 hours ago, Muellema said:

Hi,

I flew the same route (Tahiti, Moorea, Rangiroa and Fakarava) with Air Tahiti, though it was a few years ago. Even back then, the limit for hand luggage was 5 kg. I had two Lowepro camera backpacks. You simply have to pay excess baggage fees. At check-in, you just need to explain or show that it is camera equipment. Back then, you were allowed to take it onto the plane as hand luggage. Since it wouldn't fit in the overhead bins, it was stowed at the back of the cabin and handed back to you when you disembarked. Do not know current situation. But this is how my equipment was handled in other countries travelling with small planes over the last years.

Br Markus

I changed my plan a bit. I'll bring a roller bag and my F-Stop backpack. If they don't allow the roller as carry-on, I can take out the housing and strobes and carry those separately. My only concern is that my F-Stop backpack is quite large, so they might be strict about that too.

Funny enough, I thought the WACP-C would be more compact than a dome, but for travel the shape of a dome is actually much easier to pack.

Hi,

I do not know the size of your F-stop backpack. But if you do not extend size for international carry on luggage (55 x 40 x 23 cm) it should not be a problem. May be some discussions on check-in. If they refuse, let them know about the value and the fragility. This usually works.

Br Markus