Wednesday newsletters all the time characteristic a resort or flight assessment.
At present: Air Tahiti ATR 72 Economic system Class from Tahiti to Bora Bora
Except you’re taking a cruise or ferry, the one technique to get to Bora Bora is by aircraft with Air Tahiti, French Polynesia’s solely home provider (though a brand new personal start-up airline is predicted to launch quickly). Air Tahiti covers a community of 47 islands in French Polynesia and the Cook dinner Islands, overlaying an space as huge as Western Europe: the closest vacation spot to its hub at Faa’a Worldwide Airport is Moorea (7 min flight time) whereas the furthest is Mangareva (which takes 3 hours half-hour to succeed in). The airline has a fleet of turboprop plane: 7 ATR-72, 2 ATR-42, 3 Beechcraft King Air B200 and a pair of Twin Otters. Air Tahiti select ATR plane as its workhouse resulting from limitations on the distant airports of French Polynesia’s many islands (e.g. quick runways, lack of evening touchdown lights, and small gasoline tanks). Air Tahiti is to not be confused with Air Tahiti Nui, French Polynesia’s worldwide flag provider, which operates flights between Tahiti and Seattle, Los Angeles, Paris, Auckland and Tokyo.
Air Tahiti operates a number of flights a day between Tahiti and Bora Bora, a journey which takes roughly 50 minutes. On this assessment:
PASSENGER EXPERIENCE AT TAHITI + BOARDING
Situated on the island of Tahiti, Faa’a Worldwide Airport (often known as Tahiti Worldwide Airport) is the principle getaway to French Polynesia. The airport has a separate check-in space and terminal for home and worldwide flights. The home terminal is kind of fundamental: there’s just one safety check-point, after which you end up in a somewhat unappealing and compact area, that includes some seating areas in addition to a small espresso store with tables and chairs.
As soon as boarding is introduced, passenger need to stroll between the terminal and their ready plane since there aren’t any jet bridges on the airport. Air Tahiti operates an open-seating coverage, which implies that passengers are not allotted a seat at check-in.
FLIGHT FROM TAHITI TO BORA BORA
My flight to Bora Bora was operated by an ATR-72 plane with registration quantity F-ORVA (in-built 2015 and named Rereatau). Air Tahiti’s ATR-72 options just one cabin with 68 Economic system Class seats organized in a 2-2 structure. Service throughout the 50 min flight was restricted: a juice is obtainable shortly after departure (extra gadgets can be found for buy).
Touchdown at Bora Bora can supply spectacular views, nevertheless it’s unimaginable to foretell what facet of the aircraft will supply the very best views. Usually, the very best views are loved from the left facet of the aircraft. However relying on the climate, one other strategy to the airport is likely to be adopted by the pilots, leading to the very best views to be loved from the aircraft’s proper facet (which was the case throughout my flight). I’d advise to ask the cabin crew originally of the flight which facet of the aircraft will supply the very best views throughout touchdown and swap seats if attainable.
PASSENGER EXPERIENCE AT BORA BORA AIRPORT + HOTEL TRANSFER
Bora Bora has a really small airport: There’s only one tiny terminal, used for each arriving and departing flights, and there’s no safety check-point (which I discovered somewhat odd). Most inns have a desk with employees on the airport, welcoming visitors and guiding them to the boat dock.
The switch from the airport to the resorts is completed by boat (various from 10 minutes to half-hour). Chilly towels, iced water and floral necklaces are supplied throughout the quick journey. The views alongside the best way are gorgeous: Bora Bora’s crystal-clear lagoon is coloured in 1,000,000 shades of blue with at its middle the enduring Mount Otemanu, (2,385 ft or 727 m), believed to be the birthplace of the Polynesian islands in native mythology.
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