Wednesday newsletters all the time characteristic a lodge or flight evaluation.
In summer time 2022, I loved an unimaginable vacation in French Polynesia (Tahiti, Moorea, and Bora Bora). Read my journey reviews right here:
Today: Air Tahiti Nui Boeing 787 Dreamliner Business Class from Los Angeles to Paris
Last September, I flew with Air Tahi Nui from Charles De Gaulle Airport in Paris to Faa’a International Airport in Tahiti with a stopover in Los Angeles. This is my evaluation of the final leg of my return flight with French Polynesia’s flag provider (Los Angeles to Paris). I’ve already revealed a number of detailed evaluations about Air Tahiti Nui’s onerous and tender product right here (flight from Paris to Los Angeles), right here (flight from Los Angeles to Tahiti) and right here (flight from Tahiti to Los Angeles). So, that’s why I made a decision to write down this journey report in a considerably totally different format, summarizing my flight expertise from begin to finish, illustrated by dozens of pictures. Let me know what kind of format for flight journey reviews you like.
- Trip: Los Angeles (LAX) to Paris (CDG)
- Airline: Air Tahiti Nui
- Aircraft kind: Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner
- Aircraft registration quantity: F-OMUA (named Fakarava)
- Departure: 2:30 pm (on time)
- Arrival: 8:30 am (+1 day; on time)
- Miles: 5650 miles (9090 km)
- Flight time: 10 hours
- Seat: 1A
- Class: Business Class
I made a YouTube video with my impressions through the flight, which you watch right here:
Upon arrival at Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) with the Air Tahiti Nui flight originating from Papeete, I needed to clear immigration and TSA (Transportation Security Administration) in a devoted room proper subsequent to the gate, which made for straightforward identification and movement. The whole course of took lower than 10 minutes since I used to be one of many first passengers to deplane. My carry-one baggage needed to be taken with me throughout transit, whereas checked baggage stayed on the airplane.
After clearing immigration and TSA, I attempted to seek out the Business Class lounge at LAX’ Midfield Satellite Concourse however sadly, I couldn’t discover it. Signalling within the terminal was complicated and insufficient, and I ended up on a ground the place a number of lounges had been being constructed however none was open but. I gave up after some time since there was solely little time left earlier than the scheduled boarding time of my flight.
The flight to Paris was operated by the identical plane that flew us from Tahiti to Los Angeles (plane registration quantity F-OMUA; named Fakarava).
As a Business Class passenger, I used to be allowed precedence boarding, which allowed me to take some pictures earlier than the opposite passengers took their seats. I entered the airplane by way of the primary galley, which featured a surprising floor-to-ceiling photograph of Bora Bora island, evoking a tropical ambiance.
Business Class was positioned in a single cabin within the Dreamliner’s entrance part. The 30 lie flat seats had been organized in a six-abreast (2-2-2) structure; whereas not a leading edge onerous product, this configuration is sensible, provided that most individuals touring with Air Tahiti Nui are {couples}.
The seats featured marine blue materials and tender wood finishes, making a coloration palette that evoked the white sand seashores and turquoise water of the Polynesian lagoons. A Tiare motif was printed within the leather-based headrests of every seat, subtly reinforcing the visible model identification of Air Tahiti Nui.
Each seat featured its personal 16 inch HD touchscreen TV, which may be managed by a handset nestled within the armrest. Below the TV monitor was a drawer (massive sufficient to retailer a laptop computer) and a footrest (which grew to become a part of the flatbed as soon as the seat is absolutely reclined). The dimension of this footrest was variable: the bulkhead seats in row 1 supplied a a lot bigger ottoman as in comparison with the opposite Business Class seats (so make certain to decide on a seat within the first row when you can); additionally, the aisle seats had a bigger foot relaxation in comparison with window seats.
The middle armrest featured a small shared desk (for drinks & snacks), a management panel for the seat positions, and a distant handset for the inflight leisure system.
The middle armrest additionally held a reasonably sized fold-out tray desk.
Next to the seat, behind the headrest, was a small, considerably troublesome to achieve storage compartment with a magnetic adaptor for the headphones.
An amenity package – designed as a beige toiletry bag – was ready on every seat.
It contained merchandise product of recyclable supplies (cornstarch toothbrush, bamboo fiber sock, natural cotton masks) and a variety of beauty merchandise made in Polynesia (face and arms cream arms and a lip balm) from the model “Heiva”.
Noise-cancelling headphones had been offered as effectively.
A welcome drink and a scorching towel had been supplied throughout boarding.
Following a brief taxi, we took off from runway 24L/6R in a westerly course over the Pacific Ocean. Five minutes after lift-off, the airplane turned east, and the nice climate allowed for some beautiful views after takeoff.
Food service began shortly thereafter. A menu was handed out to every passenger.
The wine record on this flight was fairly spectacular.
An aperitif was served with an amuse bouche of candy potato wrapped in a slice of smoked duck breast
The land/sea starter consisted of marinated shrimp with citrus & fennel, and heirloom tomato with burrata, arugula salad & pesto. The starter was served with a salad and cheese choice.
As a important course, I select the meat stew, which was cooked in a aromatic broth with seasonal greens and served with a ravigote sauce. The dish tasted wonderful and its presentation was fairly good too.
The meal service ended with a trio of desserts: Mont Blanc cream, mango bavarois cake, seasonal fruit salad.
After dinner, it was time to discover the inflight leisure. It featured the newest era system from Panasonic, and supplied a good (albeit relatively restricted) collection 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 was Tiare TV, a novel channel dedicated to the islands of French Polynesia. Among others, Tiara TV featured a documentary about The Brando, one of many world’s most unique non-public island resorts and former residence of the late actor Marlon Brando.
As we began our crossing of the Atlantic Ocean, I made a decision to have some relaxation. Each Business Class passenger obtained a thick pillow and a heat blanket.
The Business Class seat went absolutely flat (180 levels recline) and the window armrest could possibly be lowered to reinforce the sleeping consolation.
Ninety minutes previous to touchdown, breakfast was served. All breakfast objects had been offered on one tray and so they comprised the next choice: Bircher muesli made with a combination of oatmeal, almonds, chia seeds and pear; recent fruit wedges; and pumpkin and ricotta omelet, rooster sausage, roasted potatoes, and tomatoes.
Following an uneventful, clean flight (during which the seatbelt signal was not turned on as soon as), we landed at Paris Charles De Gaulle Airport. The magic factor about house is that it feels good to go away, and it feels even higher to return again.
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