AIRCALIN

Aircalin, formerly Air Caledonie International, is the airline of New Caledonia. They operate international flights from their hub in Noumea to destinations in New Zealand, Australia, the South Pacific and Japan with a small fleet of modern Airbus aircraft.

THE ESSENTIALS
Name: Aircalin
Founded: 1983
Hub: La Tontouta International Airport, Noumea
Rewards Program: Flying Blue
NZ Routes: Auckland to Noumea
Partners: Air New Zealand, Qantas and Air France
Classes of Travel: Hibiscus (Business) and Economy
Meals: A meal and drinks (including alcohol) are included. Special meals available.
Entertainment: Movies, TV shows, music and games included with personal seatback screens on some flights. On others, a special app must be downloaded on your device before flying and movies etc are then streamed to your device while onboard.
Luggage: One piece of checked luggage up to 23 kilograms and one piece of carry on up to 7 kilograms included ​in all Economy fares. Increased allowances apply for higher classes (see below). Please note that Aircalin use Jetstar for their domestic flights around New Zealand and your luggage is therefore not automatically transferred to your next flight, it must be collected and rechecked in Auckland.
Seat Selection: Your House of Travel consultant can assign seats on most flights for no extra charge.
*Please note all the above info is for flights to and from New Zealand.

THE DIFFERENCE
- Technically, New Caledonia is still part of France and we’re happy to say that Aircalin is up to typical French standard on service and meals, two areas which always receive great feedback.

THE CLASSES
Hibiscus Class: Hibiscus Class is the equivalent to Business Class and varies across Aircalin’s two different types of planes. On their A320 you’ll have a more spacious seat and complimentary use of an iPad for the entertainment system. Onboard the A330 aircraft you’ll have a lie flat seat, a USB port and power point, noise cancelling airphones, personal satellite phone (charges apply) and personal screens for the entertainment system. On both aircraft you are also allowed an extra piece of checked luggage up to 23 kilograms, and a heavier allowance of 12 kilograms for your carry on. Hibiscus flyers also receive lounge access in Noumea.

THE HUB
La Tontouta International Airport: La Tontouta is the largest and only international airport in New Caledonia, situated about 50 minutes from the city of Noumea. It’s a large modern airport, and getting through customs/security is not usually a problem as it receives only a small number of flights. The major thing to note is that if you’re connecting to a domestic flight to the Isle of Pines or Loyalty Islands etc, then you need to transfer to another airport, Magenta Airport, which is a further 50 minutes away. House of Travel can organise a shuttle transfer between airports. Neither airport is open 24 hours.