Wednesday newsletters all the time characteristic a lodge or flight evaluation.
I just lately loved an unbelievable vacation in French Polynesia (Tahiti, Moorea, and Bora Bora). You may learn my journey reviews right here:
- Overview: Air Tahiti Nui Boeing 787 Dreamliner Enterprise Class from Paris to Los Angeles
- Overview: Air Tahiti Nui Boeing 787 Dreamliner Enterprise Class from Los Angeles to Papeete (right now)
- Overview: The Brando
- Overview: InterContinental Tahiti Resort & Spa
- Overview: Air Tahiti ATR 72 Financial system Class (Tahiti to Bora Bora)
- Overview: InterContinental Bora Bora Resort & Thalasso Spa
- Overview: St Regis Bora Bora
- Overview: 4 Seasons Bora Bora
- Overview: Air Tahiti Nui Boeing 787 Dreamliner Enterprise Class from Papeete to Paris
In the present day: Air Tahiti Nui Boeing 787 Dreamliner Enterprise Class from Los Angeles to Tahiti
Final September, I flew with Air Tahi Nui from Charles De Gaulle Airport in Paris to Faa’a Worldwide Airport in Tahiti, with a brief stopover in Los Angeles. That is my evaluation of the second flight leg (Los Angeles to Tahiti). One of many nice issues about flying with Air Tahiti Nui is the tropical ambiance of its Boeing 787 plane, which immerses you within the “mana” of the Tahitian island as quickly as you step onboard. For instance, a shocking floor-to-ceiling photograph of Bora Bora island takes middle stage within the aircraft’s entry galley, a reminder that the aircraft is about to go to French Polynesia, one of many world’s most stunning paradises. Upon getting into the aircraft, the historically dressed and all the time smiling cabin crew additionally arms out Tiare flowers, the nationwide flower of the islands of Tahiti. All of it evokes a way of vacation, which helps to go away behind the annoyances and stress of attending to and thru the airport. The onboard expertise was nice as effectively (particularly the meals), as you may learn under.
On a facet be aware, this flight was an enormous problem for me as I’m a really nervous flyer, particularly when flying over the ocean. Flight time from Los Angeles to Tahiti is 7 hours and half-hour, and the whole route goes over the Pacific Ocean (there aren’t any islands or land plenty alongside the best way). The Pacific is the most important and deepest of the world’s oceans, so if an issue happens over this limitless pond of water, the closest diversion airport is perhaps hours away. Due to this fact, aircraft working over the Pacific Ocean (or every other ocean) must be ETOPS licensed, which stands for Prolonged-range Twin-engine Operational Efficiency Requirements. ETOPS certification requires a set of requirements: it should be demonstrated that flying with one engine is secure, and that the airline has hight coaching & upkeep requirements. Air Tahiti Nui can function beneath ETOPS 225 requirements, which implies that its ETOPS-certified plane can fly on routes which are 225 minutes from appropriate alternate airports (e.g. Hawaii), a press release to the provider’s impeccable security popularity.
Have you ever ever flown with Air Tahiti Nui? If that’s the case, what was your expertise? Go away a remark.
- Journey: Los Angeles (LAX) to Papeete (PPT)
- Airline: Air Tahiti Nui
- Plane kind: Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner
- Plane registration quantity: F-OVAA (named Bora Bora)
- On time departure: sure (4:30 pm)
- On time arrival: (sure 9 pm)
- Miles: 4110 miles (6610 km)
- Flight time: 7 hours and half-hour
- Seat: 5A
- Class: Enterprise Class
On this evaluation (extra info & photographs under my YouTube video):
- About Air Tahiti Nui
- Transit in LAX
- Enterprise Class cabin
- Enterprise Class seat (+ finest & worst seats)
- Facilities & bedding
- Meals
- Leisure
- Onboard web
- Different inflight experiences
- My verdict (rating)
1. ABOUT AIR TAHITI NUI
In 1996, Air Tahiti Nui was based to attach the world to one of many world’s most paradisiacal locations, the islands of Tahiti. The Authorities of French Polynesia – an abroad collectivity of France – is the airline’s main shareholder together with different native traders. IN 2019, Air Tahiti Nui completely renewed its fleet – then consisting of 5 Airbus A340-300 plane – by 4 Boeing 787-9s, which it proudly calls its “Tahitian Dreamliners”.
In 2018, in anticipation of its new fleet of Boeing 787-9s, Air Tahiti Nui launched its redesigned brandmark and up to date typography. The redesigned emblem is a joint collaboration between Future Model and Polynesian modern artist Alexander Lee. The re-drawn emblem represents a tiare flower, the airline’s emblem from the beginning of its historical past, depicted in a two-thirds view, with the profile of ‘vahine (lady, in Tahitian) in its pistil, a nod to Tahiti’s popularity for stunning ladies and flowers within the South Seas.
Air Tahiti Nui offers service to Tahiti from Paris, Los Angeles, Seattle, Auckland and Tokyo. By means of partnerships and code share agreements, the airways presents connections from 30+ different locations, together with Sydney, Beijing and New York.
2. TRANSIT IN LAX
Air Tahiti Nui operates its flights from Paris to Tahiti with a stopover in both Los Angeles or Seattle. At Los Angeles Worldwide airport (LAX), the switch is a exceptional clean and straightforward course of. Air Tahiti Nui operates from the Midfield Satellite tv for pc Concourse (MSC) terminal, a brand new extension linked to the principle Tom Bradley terminal through an underground pedestrian tunnel. After touchdown from Paris (or Tahiti), transit passengers should clear immigration and TSA (Transportation Safety Administration) in a devoted room proper subsequent to the gate, which makes for straightforward identification and circulate. The method takes lower than half-hour, therefore why Air Tahiti Nui has a stop-over in LAX of lower than 2 hours on the best way from Paris to Tahiti. Carry-one baggage must be taken with you in the course of the transit, whereas checked baggage stays on the aircraft.
3. BUSINESS CLASS CABIN
The Enterprise Class cabin onboard the Tahitian Dreamliner options 30 Rockwell Collins Diamond flatbed seats. These seats are configured in 5 rows on a six-abreast (2-2-2) association. Air Tahiti Nui select for a 2-2-2 structure within the premium cabin of its new Boeing 787s since most of the airline’s Enterprise Class vacationers are {couples} on their honeymoons or marriage ceremony anniversaries. Sadly, this additionally implies that passengers seated in a window seat is not going to have direct aisle entry, which may be reasonably uncomfortable when you find yourself not touring with a accomplice.
All seats face ahead, with the seats on the facet barely angled in direction of the home windows, away from the aisle. Paired seats are staggered by a few inches (cm); along with a small partition, this creates some privateness in case you might be seated subsequent to a stranger (though the seats and cabin are very open) and on the similar time permits sufficient interplay when you find yourself touring with a companion.
The Enterprise Class cabin contains a great, refreshing and unique design, impressed by the spectacular fantastic thing about the islands of Tahiti. The seat’s marine blue materials and smooth wood finishes mirror French Polynesia’s pure parts and create a vibrant coloration palette that evokes the white sand seashores and turquoise water of the Polynesian lagoons. A Tiare motif is printed within the leather-based headrests of every seat, subtly reinforcing the visible model picture of Air Tahiti Nui. The wall on the again of the cabin can also be adorned by a colourful portray of Polynesian ladies, which appears like a reprint of a portray of Paul Gaugain, the well-known post-impressist artist who fell in love with French Polynesia.
The Tahitian Dreamliner’s Enterprise Class structure is identical one which you additionally discover on different airways, resembling KLM’s A330s, Qatar Airways’ A330s, and Ethiopian Airways B787s.
4. BUSINESS CLASS SEAT (+ BEST & WORST SEATS)
Air Tahiti Nui’s Enterprise Class seat is nice, though it doesn’t supply a lot privateness and the consolation of the flat-bed will largely rely on the seat that you just select (extra on that under). The smooth cushioned seat has a pitch of 78 inches (195 cm), which is outlined because the area between one level on a seat and the identical level on the seat in entrance of it. The seat width is 21 inches (53 cm) – outlined because the area between the arm rests – which is snug however not among the many widest within the business.
Every seat options its personal 16 inch HD touchscreen TV, which will also be managed by a handset nestled within the armrest. Under the TV monitor is a drawer (which is giant sufficient to retailer a laptop computer) and a footrest (which turns into a part of the flatbed as soon as the seat is totally reclined). The dimensions of this footrest is variable: the bulkhead seats in row 1 supply a a lot bigger ottoman as in comparison with the opposite Enterprise Class seats (so be certain that to decide on a seat within the first row for those who can); additionally, the aisle seats have a bigger foot relaxation in comparison with window seats.
The middle armrest – which is shared between paired seats – contains a small shared desk (for drinks & snacks), a management panel for the seat positions, and a distant handset for the inflight leisure system. It additionally holds a reasonably sized fold-out tray desk. Subsequent to the seat, behind the headrest, is a small, considerably tough to achieve storage compartment with a magnetic adaptor for the headphones. Every seat can also be outfitted with a typical common energy outlet and two USB ports
The seat goes totally flat (180 levels recline), however your sleep consolation may rely on the seat you select: aside from the bulkhead seats in row 1 (which include giant ottomans), the footrests are reasonably slender and this may increasingly considerably hamper an excellent night time’s relaxation.
What are the finest Enterprise Class seats
- All seats within the cabin are glorious for these touring with a companion due to the 2-2-2 structure.
- The bulkhead seats in row 1 characteristic a a lot bigger footrest as in comparison with all different seats, so these are the seats you wish to fly (and sleep) in, though proximity to the galley and toilet could trigger some gentle noise disturbance now and again.
What are the worst Enterprise Class seats
- The two-2-2 Enterprise Class structure doesn’t make the cabin very enticing for solo vacationers, since you’ll all the time find yourself sitting subsequent to a stranger. There’s a small display although between adjoining seats that are additionally staggered by a few inches, creating some additional ranges of privateness (albeit not sufficient).
- Window seats don’t supply direct aisle entry.
- The window seats within the 4th row are missing a window and are finest averted.
Click on right here for a seat map of the Tahitian Dreamliner.
5. AMENITIES & BEDDING
Air Tahiti Nui offers the next facilities to its Enterprise Class passengers:
- A Poerava Enterprise consolation equipment, which comes within the type of a beige toiletry bag. It incorporates not solely merchandise fabricated from recyclable supplies (cornstarch toothbrush, bamboo fiber sock, natural cotton masks) but additionally a variety of latest beauty merchandise made in Polynesia (face and arms cream arms and a lip balm) from the model “Heiva”.
- A decently sized pillow (adorned with stunning Tahitian motifs)
- A snug, heat and opulent blanket
- Air Tahiti Nui branded noise cancelling headphones, that are of wonderful high quality
6. MEALS
On this flight, a 3 course lunch (after takeoff) and lightweight dinner (previous to touchdown) have been served. The (late) lunch service began with good contact: the crew handed out white Taire flowers (the emblematic flower of the islands of Tahiti), adopted by a welcome drink, a scorching towel, and a scrumptious amuse bouche of smoked salmon blinis. I select the next choice from the menu (there was a selection of three primary programs):
- Land & sea starter: roasted duck with farro salad + seared ahi tuna with Tahitian sauce, child greens and citrus
- Predominant course: sole filet with almonds, parsnip purée and sauted chard, served with a brown butter sauce
- Trio of desserts: pecan pie, vanilla cheesecake, seasonal fruit salad
All dishes tasted glorious and the meals was fantastically introduced.
Ninety minutes previous to touchdown, whereas approaching the French Polynesian archipelago, a lightweight dinner was supplied:
7. ENTERTAINMENT
Every Enterprise Class seat is provided with an interactive touchscreen which presents superior HD decision. The inflight leisure options the most recent era system from Panasonic, and presents a good (albeit reasonably restricted) collection of leisure, with 16 motion pictures, 40 music albums, 15 video video games and several other devoted TV exhibits & documentaries channel. A spotlight of the inflight leisure is Tiare TV, a distinctive channel dedicated to the islands of French Polynesia. Amongst others, Tiara TV contains a documentary about The Brando, one of many world’s most unique personal island resorts and former dwelling of the late actor Marlon Brando.
8. ONBOARD INTERNET
Air Tahiti Nui presents highspeed Wi-Fi on their 787s. Enterprise Class passengers get a voucher with 10MB of free knowledge (one per flight leg), which doesn’t precisely final a very long time. After these date are used, one of many following packages may be chosen:
- Bundle MAEVA (10 MB for $9 USD) – Ship and obtain emails with some small attachments
- Bundle IAORA (20 MB for $15 USD) – Ship and obtain emails, restricted web shopping, add and obtain a number of photographs
- Bundle FENUA (50 MB for $29 USD) – Ship and obtain emails, browse the web, add and obtain photographs
- Bundle NUI (200 MB for $49 USD) – Ship and obtain emails, browse the web, add and obtain photographs, stream audio content material
9. OTHER INFLIGHT EXPERIENCES
# CREW: The service on this flight was each attentive and unassuming (and similar to the service I loved on the Paris to Los Angeles leg). The cabin crew did no matter it took to make passengers really feel relaxed, snug and happy. In addition they modified from smooth metropolis uniforms to elegant and comfy Tahitian apparel shortly after take-off. The crew’s colourful attire and shirts mirrored the appeal, magnificence and heat which are typical of the French Polynesian islands. The pilot even launched herself in particular person to the Enterprise Class passengers throughout boarding (a a lot appreciated gesture).
# LAVATORY: There are three bathrooms for the 30 Enterprise Class passengers. One is situated behind the cockpit and two are situated within the galley between the Enterprise and Premium Financial system Class cabin. Calming Tahitian music is performed contained in the bathrooms.
10. MY VERDICT
- Seat consolation (upright): 8/10
- Seat consolation (mattress place): 7/10
- Meals (high quality): 9/10
- Meals (amount): 9/10
- Inflight leisure : 8/10
- WiFi: 8/10 (however costly)
- Service: 9/10
- Cabin design: 8/10
- General expertise: superb: 8/10
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