Timb777 From New Zealand, joined Dec 2009, 110 posts, RR: 0 Posted (2 years 4 months 5 days 14 hours ago) and read 12817 times:
Hello, this is my first trip report that i have posted, so i would appreciate constructive comments, enjoy.
The report is from mid 2009, covering a holiday to Tahiti from Christchurch New Zealand. The only 2 airlines flying this route are Air New Zealand and Air Tahiti Nui. My choice was made easy due to me being an Air New Zealand airpoints member, also Air NZ offers a superior product on this route with Air Tahiti Nui lacking PTV's etc on their aging 340-300's.
On the Otherhand Air NZ's 767-300ER's have recently been refurnished- now offering a reasonable mid haul product. Note- the New cabin still lacks the long haul J seats which are a class up, very similar to those of Virgin Atlantic. (Unlike Air Canada, ANZ got approval from Virgin to use the design so is exempt from Virgins current court case agains airlines which 'copied' their product)
When we booked we decided to fly business class in order to gain lucrative airpoints. ANZ offers 210 airpoint dollars each way for AKL-PPT, the same as a business class asia flight such as AKL-NRT which would cost 3-4 times as much. A trans tasman service in J costs only slightly less, but earns a mere 85 airpoint dollars each way! So J class it was.
In order to get to AKL we had to fly an early morning domestic 737-300 sector up the country. I would usually consider this too boring to post, but the flight offered a couple of stunning early morning views which i will post below.
The flight lasted around 1hr 20minutes. Te photo below shows AKL on approach.
The 737 Flight to AKL was satisfactory. The food on board was merely a cup of tea/coffee and a bag of crisps. This was satisfactory as i had a full breakfast in the AIR NZ domestic Koru Lounge in CHC (sorry no photos this time). These dating aircraft will be replased in a couple of years by a recently announced order by ANZ for 14 new a320's. These will be the 1st fitted with the new airbus 'sharkletts'
After landing we transferred to the international terminal. We went through immigration with little hassle and made it to the Koru lounge with around an hour to enjoy its facilities. The lounge was large, but had much the same food/ drink on offer as the Christchurch domestic one. At roughly 10am we left the lounge to board our 7 sixty 7 bound for the tropics.
I liked it how our flight was a day flight, this makes a flight most enjoyable for me as i do not enjoy/ easily sleep well on aircraft. Also day flights take longer which i like!
My first impressions of the cabin were positive. This was my first time on the 767 since the upgraded cabin had been introduced. The seats were in a 2-2-2 arrangement and 4 rows deep. The 2-2-2 arrangement means slightly less width than the a320's 2-2 seats, but greater leg room than the a320.
Pre takeoff drink of sparkling wine, not that flash- a little too sharp for my taste. Air NZ could improve here. Offer Moet!
The crew offered a selection of news papers
After around 20 minutes in my seat we pushed back. Here is a parked 744. While at AKL that morning i spotted 6/8 of Air NZ's 744's on the ground!
Line Up:
The 767 then spooled up loadly, the entire airframe shuddered and jerked side to side, up and down and then we down the runway, the thunder from the engines seemed like music to my ears.
The Captain then performed a long 270 degree turn over the AKL area
Inflight service commenced with a drinks run
Shortly afterwards the crew spring into action serving the meal, which was lunch. The first course was a selection of tuna and salmon. It tased excellent and i ordered a vodka cocktail to follow my sparkling wine on this day service
The main course that i selected was nut crusted salmon and it was simply devine, though presentation wasn't as good as some other J class meals
The next course was desert. An apple pie or fig ice cream were offered. Being full from stuffing myself in the koru lounge, i ordered the ice cream
Shortly afterwards was this excellent fruit plate. better than many EK, QF, SQ cheese plates i feel
Our plates were then cleared away by the crew
By this stage in the flight islands were begining to appear below us
Progress
I then had a walk around the plane. Here are the products on offer in the J class Bathroom
The excellent PTV product in the new economy cabin
I then settled back down and enjoyed my PTV
After a very enjoyable day flight we entered our decent into PPT.
The Airport
Various ATR's serving the inter island routes. Some of these aircraft fly 4hour long domestic flights. Some of the longest ATR flights in the world.
We deplaned onto the tarmac and were hit by 35 degree humid air at around 5pm! It made me sweat by the time we cleared open aired customs.
We enjoyed a very enjoyable week in Tahiti and Moorea. Here is a photo from our resort:
Evening sun over the pool
I would recommend Tahiti to anyone looking for a relaxing holiday. Sadly Air New Zealand no longer flies PPT-LAX, instead now codesharing with Air Tahiti Nui's inferrior 340-300 Product. My only critism of Air New Zealand on this route is its failure to give a second meal / snack. The 5/6 hr flight time is similar to a US trans con where a 2nd meal is often served. I have written to Air NZ over this matter, but as yet have no reply.
Gardermoen From Australia, joined Jul 1999, 1492 posts, RR: 1 Reply 3, posted (2 years 4 months 5 days 10 hours ago) and read 12334 times:
Nice and enjoyable report.
Are there any air bridges at Papeete Airport?
Your second picture (of the chirpy looking stewardess) looks like she is either smiling genuinely or is a "Err, why are you taking my photo?" kind of sheepish look ?! Which one was it?!
TurkishWings From Turkey, joined May 2006, 1307 posts, RR: 10 Reply 4, posted (2 years 4 months 5 days 2 hours ago) and read 11478 times:
Nice report.. Great pictures and videos.. You made many of us very very jealous indeed
Quoting Timb777 (Thread starter): Hello, this is my first trip report that i have posted, so i would appreciate constructive comments, enjoy.
My recommendation to you would be not to talk during your videos.. It's very unattractive... We can see that it's a shrimp... If I were you, I would play some nice music to complement the video...
Timb777 From New Zealand, joined Dec 2009, 110 posts, RR: 0 Reply 7, posted (2 years 4 months 4 days 22 hours ago) and read 10885 times:
Firstly, Thankyou for the comments. I must get around to posting the return report which covers an evening service into headwinds whereby the flight time incresed from 5 hrs on this trip to 6.5 hours on the return. I also have a trans tasman EK in the pipeline for those interested.
Quoting EL-AL (Reply 2): I just wish it wasn't right on the other side of the world
There would be few places more relaxing to recover from a long haul flight!
Quoting Gardermoen (Reply 3): Are there any air bridges at Papeete Airport?
No there are not. Teh facilities at PPT are very basic, suprising considering that it is the home to Air Tahiti Nui. The terminal has an open air ambience with few places air conditioned. This would make a long layover in the terminal most uncomfortable. The Air Tahiti Nui lounge is closed / inside (air NZ uses it), but it is very basic. I will post a photo of it when i get around to posting it. All widebodies at the airport are acessed via stairs. I quite like this as you get up close with the jet on the tarmac.
Quoting Gardermoen (Reply 3): Your second picture (of the chirpy looking stewardess) looks like she is either smiling genuinely or is a "Err, why are you taking my photo?" kind of sheepish look ?! Which one was it?!
lol it was the first. She was a naturally friendly flight hostess. She was more than chatty when i talked to her about Air New Zealand, which impressed me.
Quoting TurkishWings (Reply 4): My recommendation to you would be not to talk during your videos
Thanks for the feedback
Quoting Rogerbcn (Reply 5): NZ seems to offer a great product, I was considering them for my next trip to LAX as they are offering excellent prices from LON right now.
Air NZ offer a great long haul product. Decent IFE, Better than average leg room (especially on the 744's serving LAX from LHR) and well trained crew. Air NZ offers cheap fares to trips originating in the UK and US- due 2 the more competitive state of air travel. For example a AKL-LAX often costs $1800-$2000 NZD (1300USD), where as a LAX-AKL return often costs americans 800-900USD!! So much for being the New Zealand flag carrier- but i guess its a business, so they aim for their max profit. Product on LHR-LAx would easily surpass united, ba etc from what i have read and would be a challenge for VS.
Quoting Aeroflot777 (Reply 6): Most of the time, trans con in the US doesn't serve any meals at all.
US domestic travel does seem to be in a poor state at the moment. I do hope it returns to its glory days of luxury and glamour.
Thanks,
timb777
NZdsgnr From New Zealand, joined Jul 2008, 258 posts, RR: 0 Reply 9, posted (2 years 4 months 3 days 23 hours ago) and read 9626 times:
Great trip report!
Just one thing though...
Quoting Timb777 (Thread starter): Air NZ offers a superior product on this route with Air Tahiti Nui lacking PTV's
While I do agree that NZ offers a superior product, TN isn't lacking PTV they have had then from the begining. They surely are small and playing on a loop, so no AVOD.
Timb777 From New Zealand, joined Dec 2009, 110 posts, RR: 0 Reply 10, posted (2 years 4 months 3 days 17 hours ago) and read 9317 times:
Air NZ offers a superior product on this route with Air Tahiti Nui lacking PTV's
You are right, my mistake. What i meant was no AVOD. I was speaking to an american in Tahiti who said that the PTV's hadn't been working on her flight from LAX- PPT, and that they were simply black. She said that the crew apoligised, but did little more. On the PPt-AKL return flight i sat next to a woman who flew Air Tahiti Nui AKL-PPT J class and was also dissapointed witht the entertainment system as although the screens were on, there was no sound available throughout the plane. Although Tahiti Nui has some problems, it still does well to hold its own carting the French from their main land, Americans and also New Zealanders to Tahiti, competing with AF, LAN and AIR NZ, all of which serve PPT.
Mirrodie From United States of America, joined Apr 2000, 7334 posts, RR: 69 Reply 11, posted (2 years 4 months 3 days 17 hours ago) and read 9310 times:
Quoting Timb777 (Thread starter): Sadly Air New Zealand no longer flies PPT-LAX, instead now codesharing with Air Tahiti Nui's inferrior 340-300 Product
Quoting Timb777 (Thread starter): also Air NZ offers a superior product on this route with Air Tahiti Nui lacking PTV's etc on their aging 340-300's.
NIce trip report. However, I think the 'inferior' product is misguided. Having flown the route, I can tell you we had PTVs. Perhaps you mean AVOD?
Quoting Timb777 (Thread starter): My only critism of Air New Zealand on this route is its failure to give a second meal / snack.
Not a problem on Air Tahiti Nui. Ate 2 meals and also snacks and an open bar when needed.
But that was all in F so may not be an apples/apples comparison.
Looks like you stayed at the Sheraton Moorea? Did you like? We had the last bungalows at the end of the pier. I felt they were quite overrated.
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StoliBabe From , joined Dec 1969, posts, RR: Reply 12, posted (2 years 4 months 3 days 16 hours ago) and read 9219 times:
Quoting TurkishWings (Reply 4): My recommendation to you would be not to talk during your videos.. It's very unattractive... We can see that it's a shrimp... If I were you, I would play some nice music to complement the video...
Actually I liked the narration! To play music would be a bad idea since it would drown out the sounds of the aircraft.
Great report, Timb. Gives us northeastern-US residents a glimpse of a part of the world we're not likely to see!
Timb777 From New Zealand, joined Dec 2009, 110 posts, RR: 0 Reply 13, posted (2 years 4 months 3 days 16 hours ago) and read 9195 times:
Quoting Mirrodie (Reply 11): I can tell you we had PTVs. Perhaps you mean AVOD?
Yes, my mistake i meant AVOD as stated in an earlier reply.
Quoting Mirrodie (Reply 11): Looks like you stayed at the Sheraton Moorea? Did you like? We had the last bungalows at the end of the pier. I felt they were quite overrated.
No, we stayed at the Moorea Pearl beach resort and spa. I did visit the Sheraton and i thought it looked very nice, so i am supprised that you were let down. Here is a photo i took of the Sheraton that you will recognise:
Our resort, the Moorea Pearl Beach Resort was a Tahitian owed joint, so had a real island flavour mixed with loyal passionate staff of from both the mainland and France along with excellent facilities. We were also lucky with the weather with little in the way of tropical down poors, which added to our enjoyment.We also have stayed it the Aitutaki Pearl Beach resort in Rarotonga which was also of a high standard. The Intercontinental on Moorea however ought to be left out of any itinery unless it is cheap, as we visited and didn't think it worthy of its 4 star rating. However the Intercontinental on the mainland looked very good as is the one on BORA BORA from what i heard.
Here is a photo i took of the Intercontinental reception on the Tahiti mainland:
NZdsgnr From New Zealand, joined Jul 2008, 258 posts, RR: 0 Reply 14, posted (2 years 4 months 3 days 14 hours ago) and read 9095 times:
Quoting Timb777 (Thread starter): My only critism of Air New Zealand on this route is its failure to give a second meal / snack
My last flight PPT-AKL on NZ in Nov in J as was in the middle of the night. we got a snack (a couple of plated sandwiches) after take off and were offered a full breakfast a few hours later.
Nethkt From Thailand, joined Apr 2001, 814 posts, RR: 3 Reply 15, posted (2 years 4 months 3 days 9 hours ago) and read 8953 times:
Very nice trip report. Thanks very much.
I'm looking forward to spend my TG miles on STAR award on BKK to PPT with THAI and ANZ.
The flight time of 5:30 - 6 Hours is pretty tricky. I remember TG offers Ice cream as a second meal/snack for the NRT-BKK flight which is approx. same flying time. Also NH, JL, SQ and prolly UA. I hope NZ will offer something else after reading your recommendation!
I shall look at the hotel you stayed,
thanks very much.
NET
Don't be annoyed knowing the passengers around you are non-revs and op-upgraders, be grateful for them. Life is beautifu
BA319-131 From United Kingdom, joined Jan 2001, 7886 posts, RR: 57 Reply 16, posted (2 years 4 months 2 days 8 hours ago) and read 8299 times:
Nice report and pictures, thanks for posting.
Quoting Timb777 (Thread starter): Air Tahiti Nui lacking PTV's etc on their aging 340-300's.
- They are not that old, build dates range from 2001 to 2005 vs 1993 to 1997 for the ANZ 767 fleet..........
Quoting Timb777 (Thread starter): Some of these aircraft fly 4hour long domestic flights. Some of the longest ATR flights in the world.
- Hmm, don't think I fancy one of those flights!
ANZ seem to offer a decent product or rather did on this route, though you are right about your main course, presentation is lacking!
Seems you are not keen on Air Tahiti Nui, I've heard some good things about them, especially service and food. PTV's/AVOD don't worry me, a book and a glass of wine is all I need.
Mirrodie From United States of America, joined Apr 2000, 7334 posts, RR: 69 Reply 17, posted (2 years 3 months 4 weeks 2 hours ago) and read 7748 times:
Quoting Timb777 (Reply 13): Here is a photo I took of the Sheraton that you will recognise:
Ah yes. We stayed on a overwater bungalow, on the very end of the dock. These are the only one of 5 I believe that gave the horizon view, meaning that when on our balcony, we could not see any neighbors, only the sea.
Quoting Timb777 (Reply 13): I did visit the Sheraton and i thought it looked very nice, so i am supprised that you were let down.
It's the little things. What we spent on TWO nights there, for those rooms, was EQUAL to the entire 2 weeks of travel we'd just finished in Australia. With that in mind, the let downs that come to mind were notable, such as the warped wood on the deck: One plank of the deck was warped upward and caused a small laceration on the sole of my foot. Also, the windows in the floor of the room were not clean, so the view to the ocean floor were through dirty windows. When paying such a premium, I was surprised see the details glossed over that make/break the experience.
Our stay was 2 days on layover and that said, we spent the entire time there, with only a brief walk once down the road. It was relaxing but if I were to suggest it again, I'd do the Pension Moti Itu next door.
Quoting BA319-131 (Reply 16): They are not that old, build dates range from 2001 to 2005 vs 1993 to 1997 for the ANZ 767
I was thinking the same but was unsure of ANZ fleet age.
Quoting BA319-131 (Reply 16): Seems you are not keen on Air Tahiti Nui, I've heard some good things about them, especially service and food. PTV's/AVOD don't worry me, a book and a glass of wine is all I need.
The service and food were top notch, I can't say enough good things about TN.
Sorry I must have missed that. My point is that to make a fair comparison, I think you need to fly both airlines, which is why when people ask, I say go one way with NZ and TN the other and then its all fair shakes.
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Timb777 From New Zealand, joined Dec 2009, 110 posts, RR: 0 Reply 18, posted (2 years 3 months 3 weeks 6 days 20 hours ago) and read 7570 times:
Quoting NZdsgnr (Reply 14): My last flight PPT-AKL on NZ in Nov in J as was in the middle of the night
Hi, Yes i have heard that that flight is at a horrific time; 4am? or that may be another one. We also got a snack on the PPT - AKL leg, but i think that the AKL-PPT sector is also worthy of that extra snack
Quoting Nethkt (Reply 15): I'm looking forward to spend my TG miles on STAR award on BKK to PPT with THAI and ANZ.
The flight time of 5:30 - 6 Hours is pretty tricky. I remember TG offers Ice cream as a second meal/snack for the NRT-BKK flight which is approx. same flying time. Also NH, JL, SQ and prolly UA. I hope NZ will offer something else after reading your recommendation!
Hello, thankyou for your comment. I hope you enjoy your trip and i certainly trust that you will love the Tahitian Islands. Yes i wrote to them, but as yet have not had a reply, but NZ has made a point in listening to the customer in the past
Quoting BA319-131 (Reply 16): Seems you are not keen on Air Tahiti Nui, I've heard some good things about them, especially service and food. PTV's/AVOD don't worry me, a book and a glass of wine is all I need.
Hello, yes maybe i did sound a little harsh towards TN. I also thought they were a leading pacific carrier until a couple of stories I heard from tourists who travelled TN. However, these may have been rogue experiences from an otherwise good carrier?
Quoting Mirrodie (Reply 17): What we spent on TWO nights there, for those rooms, was EQUAL to the entire 2 weeks of travel we'd just finished in Australia
Hi Mirrodie, yes Tahiti is dear indeed. Interesting to hear your comments regarding the Sheraton.
Quoting Mirrodie (Reply 17): The service and food were top notch, I can't say enough good things about TN
Interesting, from what you and others have said combined with what i heard from TN pax on Tahiti, mayne TN is inconsistent at worst? Otherwise a good airline by the sounds of it.
Quoting Mirrodie (Reply 17): I think you need to fly both airlines, which is why when people ask, I say go one way with NZ and TN the other and then its all fair shakes.
Yes i agree. would have flown them, but liked NZ's flight times more and the fact we earned 100% more airpoints on NZ than TN (as NZ's partner)! Maybe one day though.
NZdsgnr From New Zealand, joined Jul 2008, 258 posts, RR: 0 Reply 19, posted (2 years 3 months 3 weeks 5 days 23 hours ago) and read 7159 times:
Quoting Timb777 (Reply 18): Hi, Yes i have heard that that flight is at a horrific time; 4am? or that may be another one. We also got a snack on the PPT - AKL leg, but i think that the AKL-PPT sector is also worthy of that extra snack
Maybe it has to do with the return trip being over 6hrs instead of the shorter flight there
MadameConcorde From San Marino, joined Feb 2007, 9230 posts, RR: 50 Reply 20, posted (2 years 3 months 3 weeks 5 days 21 hours ago) and read 7111 times:
I hope you went to the market in Papeete. What a great place and lots of goodies there!
I wish Tahiti wasn't so costly because of the CFP exchange rate. Even with Euros it is far from cheap.
RAR is a lot cheaper, Western Samoa being the best as far as echange rate, and Honolulu being quite reasonable with the Euro/USD exchange rate.
Moorea is beautiful though. Lots of beautiful islands in FP only the mosquitos and CFP exchange rate are a problem.
There was a better way to fly it was called Concorde
timb777 From New Zealand, joined Dec 2009, 110 posts, RR: 0 Reply 21, posted (2 years 2 months 1 week 5 days 11 hours ago) and read 5421 times:
Quoting MadameConcorde (Reply 20): hope you went to the market in Papeete. What a great place and lots of goodies there!
I wish Tahiti wasn't so costly because of the CFP exchange rate. Even with Euros it is far from cheap.
RAR is a lot cheaper, Western Samoa being the best as far as echange rate, and Honolulu being quite reasonable with the Euro/USD exchange rate.
Moorea is beautiful though. Lots of beautiful islands in FP only the mosquitos and CFP exchange rate are a problem
Hi there, yes you are right with RAR, they offer a cheaper holiday while also providing excellent resorts etc...
Yes, the CPF does make things dear indeed. Luckily the Mosquitos were not a problem when we visited in june. Maybe there not around at that time of year?
Thanks for your comment,
Tim
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