Airline review: This small, classy carrier deserves a higher profile

The flight

Flight SB140, Noumea to Sydney aboard an Airbus A330-900NEO operated by Aircalin. This is the main airline of New Caledonia, the French territory fewer than 2000 kilometres north-east of Sydney. I’m travelling in Hibiscus (business) class with the flight departing at 10.30am from Noumea, the diminutive New Caledonian capital. Scheduled flight is three hours, 15 minutes. Aircalin, which has just turned 40, operates daily flights between Noumea and Sydney on a codeshare basis with Qantas.

Aircalin on the ground at Sydney Kingsford Smith Airport.Credit: Peter Rae

The loyalty scheme

Aircalin’s Flying Blue loyalty program has a network of 72 partners including Qantas and Air New Zealand.

Carbon emissions

My emissions are 0.6 tonnes. Despite its tiny fleet, Aircalin operates an ambitious sustainability program, fully detailed on its website.

Checking in

La Tontouta, the main international airport in New Caledonia, can feel more like a quiet regional aerodrome, meaning that check-in, especially for premium passengers, is a (subtropical) breeze. In one recent and rare moment of excitement earlier this year, French President Emmanuel Macron passed through the airport as part of an official visit to New Caledonia.

The seat

There are 26 seats in Aircalin’s Hibiscus class in a 1-2-1, all aisle access configuration, with 49 or 50 inches (124.5 or 127 centimetres) of space between seats and a seat width of 22.3 inches (57 centimetres). I’m in 1A, in an attractively contemporary white and beige seat. The fabric covering and adornments are inspired by traditional Melanesian weaving. The seat can be reclined to a completely horizontal position, but it’s not really required on this relatively short daytime sector.

Hibiscus class aboard Aircalin.

Baggage

Hibiscus class passengers are allowed two pieces at 23 kilograms each – generous for people holidaying in semi-tropical New Caledonia, though no doubt perfect for New Caledonians and French expats returning to and from France.

Entertainment

The HD LED touchscreen size measures 15.6 inches (40 centimetres) with the in-flight entertainment system offering an extensive choice of first-run and classic films and TV shows in French and English with some subtitled. This aircraft is also fitted with external cameras allowing passengers to view takeoffs and landings.

Service

The French-speaking cabin crew, some dressed in ocean turquoise uniforms, are affable and attentive. They happily switch to English for the benefit of those embarrassingly mono-lingual Antipodean passengers.

Food

An excellent three-course lunch is served in Hibiscus class, with an appropriately French entree of duck terrine with pistachios and pears marinated in red wine. This passenger opts for a main of stuffed veal tenderloin with basil jus over the alternative salmon fillet in champagne sauce. Predictably, the wine choices are an all-French affair.

One more thing

It’s been a long time since any major French airlines flew regularly to Australia – sit back, relax and savour the full, and for this part of the world rather novel, Gallic bonhomie.

The verdict

With the distance between Sydney and Noumea only the equivalent of that between Sydney and Cairns, it’s a wonder that New Caledonia doesn’t have a higher profile. That’s especially the case considering the fact that its small but classy flag carrier impresses and surprises in all aspects on this most comfortable and relaxing short service to Australia.

OUR RATING OUT OF FIVE

★★★★

The writer travelled as a guest of Aircalin and Tourism New Caledonia See aircalin.com; newcaledonia.travel

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