Wednesday newsletters all the time characteristic a resort or flight assessment.
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:
- Overview: Air Tahiti Nui Boeing 787 Dreamliner Enterprise Class from Paris to Los Angeles (immediately)
- 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)
Right this 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 assessment 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 odor of the Tiare flower, Air Tahiti Nui does an ideal job of creating 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 format; whereas not a innovative exhausting product, this configuration is sensible, provided that most individuals touring to French Polynesia are {couples}. General, I completely loved my expertise with Air Tahiti Nui, particularly the good comfortable product, the attentive service, and the Polynesian ambiance.
Have you ever ever flown with Air Tahiti Nui? In that case, what was your expertise? Depart a remark.
- Journey: Paris (CDG) to Los Angeles (LAX)
- Airline: Air Tahiti Nui
- Plane kind: 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 assessment (extra data & images beneath 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 enduring blue tones that Tahiti is synonymous with, these “Tahitian Dreamliners” characteristic a shocking livery. Two pink traces 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 (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 an alternative, 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 positioned 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 model. Designed by famend architectural agency Studio MHNA, the lounge’s heat and alluring decor evokes the splendor and class of a conventional Parisian condo 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 lined terrace. A buffet is on show within the lounge’s essential 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 photograph of Bora Bora island takes middle stage within the airplane’s entry galley, reminding passengers that they’re about to go to French Polynesia, one of many world’s most stunning paradises. Upon getting into the airplane, 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 go away behind the annoyances and stress of attending to and thru the airport.
The Enterprise Class cabin is positioned to the correct 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 format 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 won’t have direct aisle entry, which will be reasonably uncomfortable when you’re not touring with a associate.
All seats face ahead, with the seats on the aspect barely angled in the 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’re 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 contains a fantastic, refreshing and unique design, impressed by the spectacular great thing about the islands of Tahiti. The seat’s marine blue materials and comfortable picket finishes mirror French Polynesia’s pure components 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 girls, 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 Enterprise Class format is similar one which you additionally discover on different airways, equivalent 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 simply select (extra on that beneath). The comfortable 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 comfy however not among the many widest within the trade.
Every seat options its personal 16 inch HD touchscreen TV, which can be managed by a handset nestled within the armrest. Under 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 totally 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 certain that to decide on a seat within the first row should 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 – 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 succeed in storage compartment with a magnetic adaptor for the headphones. Every seat can also be geared up with an ordinary common energy outlet and two USB ports
The seat goes totally flat (180 levels recline), however your sleep consolation may depend upon the seat you select: apart from the bulkhead seats in row 1 (which include massive ottomans), the footrests are reasonably slim and this may increasingly considerably hamper a superb evening’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 format.
- 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 need to fly (and sleep) in, though proximity to the galley and toilet might trigger some mild noise disturbance every so often.
What are the worst Enterprise Class seats
- The two-2-2 Enterprise Class format 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 screen 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 gives the next facilities to its Enterprise Class passengers:
- A Poerava Enterprise consolation package, which comes within the type of a beige toiletry bag. It accommodates not solely merchandise made from recyclable supplies (cornstarch toothbrush, bamboo fiber sock, natural cotton masks) but additionally a spread 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 opulent 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) had 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 selection of three essential 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
- Fundamental 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 fantastically introduced. Throughout the flight, ham and cheese sandwiches had been served as a snack for individuals who bought hungry once more.
Ninety minutes previous to touchdown, a light-weight dinner was supplied:
- Starter: pastrami, child greens salad, cherry tomatoes, and grapefruit
- Fundamental course: spinach & ricotta ravioli, with tomato & basil sauce, and parmesan shavings
- Dessert: recent fruit wedges
7. ENTERTAINMENT
Every Enterprise Class seat is supplied with an interactive touchscreen which affords superior HD decision. The inflight leisure options the most recent technology system from Panasonic, and affords a good (albeit reasonably 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. Amongst others, Tiara TV contains a documentary about The Brando, one of many world’s most unique personal island resorts and former house of the late actor Marlon Brando.
8. ONBOARD INTERNET
Air Tahiti Nui affords highspeed Wi-Fi on their 787s. Enterprise Class passengers get a voucher with 10MB of free knowledge, which doesn’t precisely final a very long time. After these date are used, one of many following packages will 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 looking, add and obtain a number of images
- Package deal FENUA (50 MB for $29 USD) – Ship and obtain emails, browse the web, add and obtain images
- Package deal NUI (200 MB for $49 USD) – Ship and obtain emails, browse the web, add and obtain images, 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 glad. In addition they modified from smooth metropolis uniforms to elegant and comfy Tahitian apparel shortly after take-off. The crew’s colourful clothes and shirts mirrored the allure, magnificence and heat which might be typical of the French Polyensian islands.
# LAVATORY: There are three toilets for the 30 Enterprise Class passengers. One is positioned behind the cockpit and two are positioned within the galley between the Enterprise and Premium Economic system Class cabin. Calming Tahitian music is performed contained in the toilets.
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: excellent: 8/10
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