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 experiences over the approaching weeks:
- Review: Air Tahiti Nui Boeing 787 Dreamliner Business Class from Paris to Los Angeles (as we speak)
- Review: Air Tahiti Nui Boeing 787 Dreamliner Business Class from Los Angeles to Papeete
- Review: The Brando
- Review: InterContinental Tahiti Resort & Spa
- Review: Air Tahiti ATR 72 Economy Class (Tahiti to Bora Bora)
- Review: InterContinental Bora Bora Resort & Thalasso Spa
- Review: St Regis Bora Bora
- Review: Four Seasons Bora Bora
- Review: Air Tahiti Nui Boeing 787 Dreamliner Business Class from Papeete to Paris
Today: Air Tahiti Nui Boeing 787 Dreamliner Business Class from Paris to Los Angeles
Last September, I flew with Air Tahi Nui from Charles De Gaulle Airport in Paris to Faa’a International Airport in Tahiti, with a brief stopover in Los Angeles. This 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 vibrant cabin colours, unique crew uniforms, Tahitian music, and the scent of the Tiare flower, Air Tahiti Nui does an ideal 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 Business 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 Business Class seats in a 2-2-2 structure; whereas not a innovative exhausting product, this configuration is sensible, on condition that most individuals touring to French Polynesia are {couples}. Overall, I totally loved my expertise with Air Tahiti Nui, particularly the nice mushy product, the attentive service, and the Polynesian ambiance.
Have you ever flown with Air Tahiti Nui? If so, what was your expertise? Leave a remark.
- Trip: Paris (CDG) to Los Angeles (LAX)
- Airline: Air Tahiti Nui
- Aircraft sort: Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner
- Aircraft 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: Business Class
In this evaluate (extra info & pictures beneath my YouTube video):
- Air Tahiti Boeing 787 Dreamliner
- Lounge
- Business Class cabin
- Business Class seat (+ finest & worst seats)
- Amenities & bedding
- Meals
- Entertainment
- Onboard web
- Other 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 crimson strains on its sides symbolize 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 airplane. Air Tahiti Nui used these 3 letters for significant Tahitian phrases: MUA, (ahead), NUI (massive), VAA (canoe), TOA (warrior). Woven collectively the airline’s fleet names have a hidden which 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. Instead, its Business Class passengers have entry to the Salon Paul Maxence, an unbiased lounge shared by a number of carriers (e.g. El Al, Saudia, Kuwait Airlines, Air Senegal, and Ukraine International Airlines). The Salon Paul Maxence is positioned one ground above the principle 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 class of a standard 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 aspect and an out of doors courtyard with coated terrace. A buffet is on show within the lounge’s fundamental room, with an honest selection and high quality of meals and drinks on provide.
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 surprising floor-to-ceiling picture of Bora Bora island takes heart stage within the airplane’s entry galley, reminding passengers that they’re about to go to French Polynesia, one of many world’s most lovely paradises. Upon getting into the airplane, the historically dressed and all the time smiling cabin crew additionally arms 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. It all evokes a way of vacation, which continues all through the airplane and which helps to go away behind the annoyances and stress of attending to and thru the airport.
The Business Class cabin is positioned to the appropriate 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 Business Class vacationers are {couples} on their honeymoons or wedding ceremony anniversaries. Unfortunately, this additionally signifies that passengers seated in a window seat won’t have direct aisle entry, which could be slightly uncomfortable when you find yourself not touring with a associate.
All seats face ahead, with the seats on the aspect 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 Business 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 mushy picket finishes replicate French Polynesia’s pure parts and create a vibrant colour 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 be adorned by a colourful portray of Polynesian ladies, which seems to be 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 Business Class structure is identical one which you additionally discover on different airways, resembling KLM’s A330s, Qatar Airlines’ A330s, and Ethiopian Airlines B787s.
4. BUSINESS CLASS SEAT (+ BEST & WORST SEATS)
Air Tahiti Nui’s Business Class seat is nice, though it doesn’t provide a lot privateness and the consolation of the flat-bed will largely rely upon the seat that you simply select (extra on that beneath). The mushy 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 comfy however not among the many widest within the trade.
Each seat options its personal 16 inch HD touchscreen TV, which may also be managed by a handset nestled within the armrest. Below 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 absolutely reclined). The measurement of this footrest is variable: the bulkhead seats in row 1 provide a a lot bigger ottoman as in comparison with the opposite Business Class seats (so be certain 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 heart 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. Next to the seat, behind the headrest, is a small, considerably troublesome to achieve storage compartment with a magnetic adaptor for the headphones. Each seat can be outfitted with an ordinary common energy outlet and two USB ports
The seat goes absolutely flat (180 levels recline), however your sleep consolation may rely upon the seat you select: aside from the bulkhead seats in row 1 (which include giant ottomans), the footrests are slightly slender and this will considerably hamper a very good evening’s relaxation.
What are the finest Business Class seats
- All seats within the cabin are wonderful 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 wish to fly (and sleep) in, though proximity to the galley and toilet might trigger some mild noise disturbance on occasion.
What are the worst Business Class seats
- The 2-2-2 Business 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 is a small display screen 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 provide direct aisle entry.
- The window seats within the 4th row are missing a window and are finest prevented.
Click right here for a seat map of the Tahitian Dreamliner.
5. AMENITIES & BEDDING
Air Tahiti Nui gives the next facilities to its Business Class passengers:
- A Poerava Business 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 lovely Tahitian motifs)
- A cushty, heat and splendid blanket
- Air Tahiti Nui branded noise cancelling headphones, that are of fantastic 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 scorching towel, adopted by an amuse bouche of foie gras, served on a gingerbread toast with candied onions & carrot mousse with cumin. Next the crew got here by to take lunch orders (there was a selection of three fundamental 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
- Main course: beef cheek, roasted garlic mashed potatoes, inexperienced asparagus, carrots, diminished crimson wine and balsamic vinegar sauce
- Dessert: apple & caramel tartlet, gianduja & raspberry cream cabbage, chocolate ganache with Tiare flower, seasonal fruit salad
All dishes tasted wonderful and the meals was superbly introduced. During the flight, ham and cheese sandwiches have been served as a snack for many who bought hungry once more.
Ninety minutes previous to touchdown, a lightweight dinner was provided:
- Starter: pastrami, child greens salad, cherry tomatoes, and grapefruit
- Main course: spinach & ricotta ravioli, with tomato & basil sauce, and parmesan shavings
- Dessert: contemporary fruit wedges
7. ENTERTAINMENT
Each Business Class seat is supplied with an interactive touchscreen which affords superior HD decision. The inflight leisure options the most recent era system from Panasonic, and affords an honest (albeit slightly restricted) number of leisure, with 16 films, 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. Among others, Tiara TV contains 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 affords highspeed Wi-Fi on their 787s. Business 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 could be chosen:
- Package MAEVA (10 MB for $9 USD) – Send and obtain emails with some small attachments
- Package IAORA (20 MB for $15 USD) – Send and obtain emails, restricted web shopping, add and obtain a couple of pictures
- Package FENUA (50 MB for $29 USD) – Send and obtain emails, browse the web, add and obtain pictures
- Package NUI (200 MB for $49 USD) – Send 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, comfy and happy. They additionally modified from modern metropolis uniforms to elegant and comfy Tahitian apparel shortly after take-off. The crew’s colourful clothes and shirts mirrored the attraction, magnificence and heat which might be typical of the French Polyensian islands.
# LAVATORY: There are three bathrooms for the 30 Business Class passengers. One is positioned behind the cockpit and two are positioned within the galley between the Business and Premium Economy 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
- Food (high quality): 9/10
- Food (amount): 9/10
- Inflight leisure : 8/10
- WiFi: 8/10 (however costly)
- Service: 9/10
- Cabin design: 8/10
- Overall expertise: superb: 8/10
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