Wednesday newsletters all the time function a lodge or flight evaluate.
I just lately loved an unbelievable vacation in French Polynesia (Tahiti, Moorea, and Bora Bora). I’ll publish the next journey reviews over the approaching weeks:
- Overview: Air Tahiti Nui Boeing 787 Dreamliner Enterprise Class from Paris to Los Angeles (right this moment)
- Overview: Air Tahiti Nui Boeing 787 Dreamliner Enterprise Class from Los Angeles to Papeete
- Overview: The Brando
- Overview: InterContinental Tahiti Resort & Spa
- Overview: Air Tahiti ATR 72 Economic 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 (Tahiti to Paris)
At the moment: Air Tahiti Nui Boeing 787 Dreamliner Enterprise Class from Paris to Los Angeles
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 evaluate of the primary flight leg – Paris to Los Angeles – with French Polynesia’s flag provider, which operates a small fleet of 4 Boeing 787-9 Dreamliners. With brilliant cabin colours, unique crew uniforms, Tahitian music, and the odor of the Tiare flower, Air Tahiti Nui does a fantastic job of constructing you are feeling such as you’re already in French Polynesia as quickly as you step on board. The airline calls its Enterprise Class “Poerava”; Poerava – a mix of the Tahitian phrases poe and rava – means Black Pearl, a reference to Polynesian tradition. The airline has configured its lie flat Enterprise Class seats in a 2-2-2 structure; whereas not a leading edge onerous product, this configuration is smart, provided that most individuals touring to French Polynesia are {couples}. Total, I completely loved my expertise with Air Tahiti Nui, particularly the good gentle product, the attentive service, and the Polynesian ambiance.
Have you ever ever flown with Air Tahiti Nui? If that’s the case, what was your expertise? Go away a remark.
- Journey: Paris (CDG) to Los Angeles (LAX)
- Airline: Air Tahiti Nui
- Plane sort: Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner
- Plane registration quantity: F-OVAA (named Bora Bora)
- On time departure: sure (12 pm)
- On time arrival: (sure 2 pm)
- Miles: 5650 miles (9090 km)
- Flight time: 10 hours
- Seat: 5A
- Class: Enterprise Class
On this evaluate (extra data & pictures under my YouTube video):
- Air Tahiti Boeing 787 Dreamliner
- Lounge
- Enterprise Class cabin
- Enterprise Class seat (+ finest & worst seats)
- Facilities & bedding
- Meals
- Leisure
- Onboard web
- Different inflight experiences
- My verdict (rating)
1. AIR TAHITI BOEING 787-9 DREAMLINER
In 2019, Air Tahiti Nui phased out its 5 Airbus A340-300s and changed them by 4 trendy Boeing 787-9s. Painted in the long-lasting blue tones that Tahiti is synonymous with, these “Tahitian Dreamliners” function a shocking livery. Two pink strains on its sides characterize the flag of French Polynesia, an archipelago of 118 islands scattered over an expanse of South Pacific Ocean the dimensions of Western Europe. The tail options the airline’s trademark Tiare flower whereas the fuselage is adorned with patterns and symbols taken from conventional Polynesian tattoos.
All worldwide plane are assigned a two letter license plate designating its nation of origin, and three extra letters distinctive to every aircraft. Air Tahiti Nui used these 3 letters for significant Tahitian phrases: MUA, (ahead), NUI (huge), VAA (canoe), TOA (warrior). Woven collectively the airline’s fleet names have a hidden that means: The warrior (TOA) going ahead (MUA) within the nice (NUI) canoe (VAA)!
2. LOUNGE
Air Tahiti Nui doesn’t have its personal lounge at CDG Airport. As a substitute, its Enterprise Class passengers have entry to the Salon Paul Maxence, an unbiased lounge shared by a number of carriers (e.g. El Al, Saudia, Kuwait Airways, Air Senegal, and Ukraine Worldwide Airways). The Salon Paul Maxence is situated one ground above the primary concourse of Terminal 2A and shares it entrance corridor (constructed round a glass hanging sculpture) with a number of different airline lounges.
Salon Paul Maxence is a small however stylish lounge, elegantly furnished in a typical French fashion. Designed by famend architectural agency Studio MHNA, the lounge’s heat and welcoming decor evokes the splendor and magnificence of a conventional Parisian condominium with a hearth, bookcases, intimate alcoves, designer lighting fixtures, and curated artwork and furnishings. There are two communal seating areas with leather-based arm chairs, in addition to a number of quieter nooks on the facet and an out of doors courtyard with lined terrace. A buffet is on show within the lounge’s primary room, with a good selection and high quality of meals and drinks on supply.
3. BUSINESS CLASS CABIN
The Tahitian Dreamliner exudes a tropical ambiance, immersing passengers within the “mana” of the Tahitian island as quickly as they step onboard. A shocking floor-to-ceiling picture of Bora Bora island takes middle stage within the aircraft’s entry galley, reminding passengers that they’re about to move 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 fingers out Tiare flowers; the Tiare is the nationwide flower of the islands of Tahiti, believed to holds many secrets and techniques by the native inhabitants. All of it evokes a way of vacation, which continues all through the airplane and which helps to depart behind the annoyances and stress of attending to and thru the airport.
The Enterprise Class cabin is situated to the suitable of the entry galley and 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 wedding ceremony anniversaries. Sadly, this additionally implies that passengers seated in a window seat is not going to have direct aisle entry, which may be slightly uncomfortable when you’re not touring with a associate.
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 identical time permits sufficient interplay when you’re touring with a companion.
The Enterprise Class cabin incorporates a great, refreshing and unique design, impressed by the spectacular fantastic thing about the islands of Tahiti. The seat’s marine blue materials and gentle picket finishes replicate French Polynesia’s pure components and create a brilliant 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 similar one which you additionally discover on different airways, comparable to 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 depend upon the seat that you just select (extra on that under). The gentle cushioned seat has a pitch of 78 inches (195 cm), which is outlined because the house 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 house 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 may also be managed by a handset nestled within the armrest. Beneath the TV monitor is a drawer (which is massive sufficient to retailer a laptop computer) and a footrest (which turns into a part of the flatbed as soon as the seat is absolutely reclined). The scale 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 sure to decide on a seat within the first row in the event you can); additionally, the aisle seats have a bigger foot relaxation in comparison with window seats.
The middle armrest – which is shared between paired seats – incorporates 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 regular common energy outlet and two USB ports
The seat goes absolutely flat (180 levels recline), however your sleep consolation may depend upon the seat you select: aside from the bulkhead seats in row 1 (which include massive ottomans), the footrests are slightly slim and this will considerably hamper a very good 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 function a a lot bigger footrest as in comparison with all different seats, so these are the seats you need to fly (and sleep) in, though proximity to the galley and toilet might trigger some mild noise disturbance on occasion.
What are the worst Enterprise Class seats
- The two-2-2 Enterprise Class structure doesn’t make the cabin very engaging 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 further 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 made from recyclable supplies (cornstarch toothbrush, bamboo fiber sock, natural cotton masks) but additionally a variety of latest beauty merchandise made in Polynesia (face and fingers cream fingers and a lip balm) from the model “Heiva”.
- A decently sized pillow (adorned with stunning Tahitian motifs)
- A snug, heat and splendid 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 lunch service began with a welcome drink and a sizzling towel, adopted by an amuse bouche of foie gras, served on a gingerbread toast with candied onions & carrot mousse with cumin. Subsequent the crew got here by to take lunch orders (there was a alternative of three primary programs). I select the next choice from the menu:
- Land & sea starter: smoked duck breast and mimosa potatoes & fried scallops with turmeric and pineapple carpaccio
- Most important course: beef cheek, roasted garlic mashed potatoes, inexperienced asparagus, carrots, lowered pink wine and balsamic vinegar sauce
- Dessert: apple & caramel tartlet, gianduja & raspberry cream cabbage, chocolate ganache with Tiare flower, seasonal fruit salad
All dishes tasted glorious and the meals was superbly introduced. Throughout the flight, ham and cheese sandwiches have been served as a snack for individuals who acquired hungry once more.
Ninety minutes previous to touchdown, a light-weight dinner was provided:
- Starter: pastrami, child greens salad, cherry tomatoes, and grapefruit
- Most important course: spinach & ricotta ravioli, with tomato & basil sauce, and parmesan shavings
- Dessert: contemporary fruit wedges
7. ENTERTAINMENT
Every Enterprise Class seat is provided with an interactive touchscreen which gives superior HD decision. The inflight leisure options the most recent era system from Panasonic, and gives a good (albeit slightly restricted) number of leisure, with 16 motion pictures, 40 music albums, 15 video video games and a number of other devoted TV reveals & 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 incorporates a documentary about The Brando, one of many world’s most unique personal island resorts and former residence of the late actor Marlon Brando.
8. ONBOARD INTERNET
Air Tahiti Nui gives highspeed Wi-Fi on their 787s. Enterprise Class passengers get a voucher with 10MB of free information, which doesn’t precisely final a very long time. After these date are used, one of many following packages may be chosen:
- Package deal MAEVA (10 MB for $9 USD) – Ship and obtain emails with some small attachments
- Package deal IAORA (20 MB for $15 USD) – Ship and obtain emails, restricted web searching, add and obtain a number of pictures
- Package deal FENUA (50 MB for $29 USD) – Ship and obtain emails, browse the web, add and obtain pictures
- Package deal NUI (200 MB for $49 USD) – Ship and obtain emails, browse the web, add and obtain pictures, stream audio content material
9. OTHER INFLIGHT EXPERIENCES
# CREW: The service on this flight was each attentive and unassuming. The cabin crew did no matter it took to make passengers really feel relaxed, snug and happy. In addition they modified from glossy metropolis uniforms to elegant and cozy Tahitian apparel shortly after take-off. The crew’s colourful attire and shirts mirrored the allure, magnificence and heat which might be typical of the French Polyensian islands.
# 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 Economic 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
- Total expertise: excellent: 8/10
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