Mortyman From Norway, joined Aug 2006, 3230 posts, RR: 2 Posted (3 years 4 months 3 weeks 6 days 13 hours ago) and read 5070 times:
I am planning another trip to the South pacific and Tahiti and French Polynesia is one of the places I would like to go back to. Last time I visited French Polynesia, Cook islands and Australia and flew Air New Zealand.
I was very happy with Air New Zealand. An excellent airline.
But what about Air Tahiti Nui or Air France. How do they compare ?
I have heard alot about alomost epty planes on Air Tahiti Nui. Are they financially OK ? Should I be worried trying them ?
LAXintl From United States of America, joined May 2000, 22068 posts, RR: 51 Reply 1, posted (3 years 4 months 3 weeks 6 days 12 hours ago) and read 5060 times:
Well you are a bit held hostage going to Tahiti due to the lack of competition.
As far as ATN, I've flown them. Great paint job, service is ok, but nothing spectacular.
For finances you can find a few discussions here on A.net. Yes they continue to bleed money and recent times they have dropped service to SYD, JFK and KIX as things have gotten more dire. They basically stay alive on the backs of the French Polynesian government, but I am not sure how long they can keep up the venture after years of losses.
Anyhow enjoy the trip. If you need any advice have a good Tahiti travel expert I can link you up with.
From the desert to the sea, to all of Southern California
AOMlover From France, joined Jul 2001, 1297 posts, RR: 12 Reply 2, posted (3 years 4 months 3 weeks 5 days 22 hours ago) and read 4996 times:
Air Tahiti Nui A340:
+ better seat comfort (much more legroom, and the 2-4-2 abreast configuration is great)
+ more "local" flavour (Gauguin paintings in the cabin, turquoise and blue upholstery...it's a good way to get in the mood for your stay in Tahiti)
+ quieter cabin (a good advantage of the A340)
- old IFE, no AVOD, limited choice. The image and sound quality can be very bad due to the system being based on video tapes...
- Younger crew that tend to lack professionalism
Air France B777:
+ Better IFE (AVOD)
+ PPT-based cabin crew, so that you can get a Polynesian sense of hospitality even when flying with AF. Female f/a put on traditional purutu dresses after take off.
- 777 with 3-3-3 abreast configuration (soon to become 3-4-3...)
- Noisier cabin
Icarus75 From France, joined Oct 2003, 768 posts, RR: 0 Reply 4, posted (3 years 4 months 3 weeks 15 hours ago) and read 4850 times:
Last year, I've flown LAX-CDG with AF on a 777 configuration 3-4-3 : it has been a real nightmare!
If you choose AF to go to PPT, you'll go through LAX so my advice is : fine with AF if you're in Business or Economy Premium. If you fly Economy, don't choose AF!
Mortyman From Norway, joined Aug 2006, 3230 posts, RR: 2 Reply 5, posted (3 years 4 months 2 weeks 6 days 10 hours ago) and read 4792 times:
Quoting Icarus75 (Reply 4): Last year, I've flown LAX-CDG with AF on a 777 configuration 3-4-3 : it has been a real nightmare!
If you choose AF to go to PPT, you'll go through LAX so my advice is : fine with AF if you're in Business or Economy Premium. If you fly Economy, don't choose AF!
i beleave that al the airlines flying to Tahiti from europe stops at LAX: air Tahiti Nui, Air New Zealand and Air France. You can ofcourse go the other way over Asia, but that is a longer trip I think.
I will fly economy. Last time I had 4 seats in the middle all by myself on Air New Zealand 747 400
NZ107 From New Zealand, joined Jul 2005, 5672 posts, RR: 40 Reply 6, posted (3 years 4 months 2 weeks 6 days 10 hours ago) and read 4789 times:
NZ now codeshare on TN from PPT to LAX. I'd be keen to travel with NZ to LAX at least and then take the codeshared flight to PPT and that way you'd have the great service and IFE etc of NZ all the way to LAX then only a 7 or so hour flight from there in TN's A343.
Mirrodie From United States of America, joined Apr 2000, 7421 posts, RR: 65 Reply 7, posted (3 years 4 months 2 weeks 6 days 5 hours ago) and read 4771 times:
Seat comfort was good, food was good. I have to disagree as on my 4 flights in F on TN, the cabin crew were amazing and professional. Also very beautiful.
I dont recall AVOD or not, as I slept most of the time and didnt pay much attention to that.
If the codeshare info above is correct, I say splitting it between NX and TN would be best.
I would definitely do TN again!
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NZ107 From New Zealand, joined Jul 2005, 5672 posts, RR: 40 Reply 8, posted (3 years 4 months 2 weeks 6 days 1 hour ago) and read 4764 times:
Quoting Mirrodie (Reply 7): If the codeshare info above is correct, I say splitting it between NX and TN would be best.
That's if you decide to fly direct to PPT from LAX. There is the other option of travelling to AKL and then connecting onto PPT which means your entire journey from LHR will be on NZ.
Mortyman From Norway, joined Aug 2006, 3230 posts, RR: 2 Reply 10, posted (3 years 4 months 2 weeks 5 days 13 hours ago) and read 4723 times:
Thanx for all the replies. I think I will chose the option of an around the world ticket. In that case it would proabably be what type of alliance I chose that will decide what airline / airlines.
I hoe to add another island group to tje trip. Maybe Cook islands, Samoa or Tonga.
NZ107 From New Zealand, joined Jul 2005, 5672 posts, RR: 40 Reply 11, posted (3 years 4 months 2 weeks 5 days 6 hours ago) and read 4690 times:
Quoting Mortyman (Reply 10): Thanx for all the replies. I think I will chose the option of an around the world ticket. In that case it would proabably be what type of alliance I chose that will decide what airline / airlines.
I hoe to add another island group to tje trip. Maybe Cook islands, Samoa or Tonga.
In that case, Air New Zealand/Star Alliance would be your best bet. Unfortunately, due to lack of demand, they've significantly reduced the number of flights within the Pacific Islands and now only fly to PPT from AKL.
Mortyman From Norway, joined Aug 2006, 3230 posts, RR: 2 Reply 12, posted (3 years 4 months 2 weeks 4 days 16 hours ago) and read 4658 times:
Quoting NZ107 (Reply 11): In that case, Air New Zealand/Star Alliance would be your best bet. Unfortunately, due to lack of demand, they've significantly reduced the number of flights within the Pacific Islands and now only fly to PPT from AKL.
I would have thought they atleast flew to the Cook islands, who has a certain relationship with NZ.... Have they stopped that route too ?
Baexecutive From United Kingdom, joined Jul 2005, 653 posts, RR: 0 Reply 13, posted (3 years 4 months 2 weeks 4 days 16 hours ago) and read 4653 times:
Quoting Mortyman (Thread starter): But what about Air Tahiti Nui or Air France. How do they compare ?
I wouldn't recommend AF, flew with them to Tahiti from LAX and the aircraft was an absolute disgrace. The cabin was filthy and the blankets that we were given had a strong smell of BO on them.
Service was fairly standard however wouldn't fly them on this route again.
NZ107 From New Zealand, joined Jul 2005, 5672 posts, RR: 40 Reply 14, posted (3 years 4 months 2 weeks 3 days 23 hours ago) and read 4629 times:
Quoting Mortyman (Reply 12): I would have thought they atleast flew to the Cook islands, who has a certain relationship with NZ.... Have they stopped that route too ?
Oh sorry, I meant intra island flights. Yes, they continue to serve RAR, IUE, NAN, TBU, APW, PPT and other islands but all from AKL. There used to be flights such as the current AKL-TBU-APW flight that continues to LAX.
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