Name: Nicholas Panza
Title: Vice President, Americas
Company, city: Air Tahiti Nui; Los Angeles, Calif.
Number of employees: U.S. office, 32; corporate, 710
Recent project: A recent promotion offering a free three-night hotel stopover in Tahiti for travelers flying Air Tahiti Nui to New Zealand generated a strong consumer response.
First job: Ticket taker, Dodger Stadium
Little-known fact about you: I consider myself a hard-working person who strives to do the right thing. One of my sons served in the Marine Corps in Afghanistan during the surge; as a parent, having a child in the middle of war brings daily concern and worry.
Your Business
Essential business philosophy: Treat employees as repositories of knowledge and experience. Establish communication and trust to build a highly motivated team focused on delivering exceptional customer service.
Best way to keep a competitive edge: Stay vigilant. Never become complacent—every day competitors look for ways to outsmart, outmarket and outsell you.
Yardstick of success: The morale and engagement of the workforce, and ultimately whether we are meeting our performance and revenue targets.
Nicholas Panza as a Traveler
What is the most important item you take when traveling? A good book, especially for long flights.
How do you spend your time on board? On long night flights I usually have a gin and tonic before the meal and a glass of red wine with it, then change into pajamas and sleep. On day flights I read and relax. The aircraft cabin, though changing, remains a rare respite from the always-wired world.
What is your favorite restaurant in the world? One favorite is Bob’s Bar at The Brando in the Tahitian Islands. Still, there is nothing like a Sunday night at home with family, enjoying pasta, eggplant parmigiana and a good red wine.
What is your favorite destination in the world? A Bora Bora overwater bungalow — incredible beauty, warm Tahitian people, peace and solitude to refresh and relax, and a stunning lagoon.
About Air Tahiti Nui
In 2015, Air Tahiti Nui ordered four Boeing 787-9 Dreamliners. What are the plans for the new aircraft?
Our immediate goal is to design a cabin and in-flight experience passengers will love, providing the highest level of comfort. The new configuration will include three cabins: Moana economy class; a separate premium-economy cabin; and a Poerava business class with 30 to 36 lie-flat, 180-degree cocoon seats.
We will elevate our business-class service with full trolley meal service, allowing customers to choose their entrée at their seat rather than receiving pre-plated dishes from the galley. Enhanced meal options and improved in-flight entertainment will be featured across all three cabins.
What can premium travelers expect from Air Tahiti Nui’s business-class product?
Because we serve primarily leisure travelers, our business class uses a 2-2-2 layout so couples can sit together—important for honeymoons and anniversaries. A dedicated cabin crew of four serves the 30-seat business cabin. The menu blends Polynesian specialties like fresh fish with classic French dishes such as coq au vin or beef bourguignon. Our wine and spirits selection is strong, often featuring notable Bordeaux such as Saint-Émilion or Saint-Estèphe. All seats include a quality entertainment system and power outlets. While roughly 14 percent of our passengers fly business class, that cabin generates more than 30 percent of our revenue.
Tell our readers about the Club Tiare loyalty program.
Club Tiare has about 80,000 members, most based in Tahiti and roughly 12,000 in the United States. Members are frequent travelers to Tahiti or New Zealand, as well as Southern California residents who use our nonstop service from Los Angeles to Paris. Club Tiare serves individual travelers and offers plans for families and students. Earning upgrades, free tickets and redemptions is straightforward. Members of American Airlines AAdvantage and Delta Air Lines SkyMiles can also redeem miles on Air Tahiti Nui for travel to the Tahitian Islands.