After New Zealand, I hopped on Air Tahiti Nui B787 Dreamliner from Auckland to Papeete, French Polynesia. Air Tahiti Nui B787 is the most colorful and the most exotic B787 I’ve flown. The flight was an immersive experience of Tahitian culture.
I literally traveled back in time and gained a day by flying from one of the earliest timezone (New Zealand) to the last timezone (Tahiti) by crossing the dateline on this flight. Tahiti is located in the middle of the South Pacific in isolation. The nearest diversion point is Cook Island.
Video
Air Tahiti Nui currently flies twice a week between Auckland and Papeete, the flight continues to Los Angeles so it provided another transit option between New Zealand and the US.
Weather was gloomy and rainy in Auckland. The flight was operated by B787-9 “Bora Bora” F-OVAA delivered in June 2019. I received a nice welcome when stepping onboard Air Tahiti Nui.
Air Tahiti Nui B787 has 3 classes; Business Class, Premium Economy and Economy. Business Class has 2-2-2 full flat seating with 30 seats in total.
32 Premium Economy seats with a 36-38″ pitch.
232 Economy Class seat in 32″ pitch follows. Notice Tahitian landmarks are painted on the bulkheads. Famous Tahitian painter Paul Gauguin’s work is also displayed on the wall of each cabin.
Seatmap of Air Tahiti Nui B787-9
After takeoff, flight attendants gave out tiara flowers to passengers.
An amenity kit is also available on this short 4.5 hours day flight.
No welcome drink during boarding but soon after takeoff, we were served a full lunch meal tray.
Flight attendant changed to their favourite Tahitian dress (in red, yellow and blue) to serve onboard.
Free 10 minutes Wi-Fi in Business Class which is fairly restrictive. You can purchase Wi-Fi onboard but I was so relaxed and didn’t want to “connect” to the world.
We landed 20 minutes behind schedule at Papeete FAA’A International Airport. There is no jetbridge at this airport. The nice cool breeze of Tahiti welcomes every passenger. There was a nice Polynesian welcome after landing at the airport.
During my stay in Tahiti, I flew on a domestic Air Tahiti ATR72-600 to visit the island of Huahine and Bora Bora which will be featured in another separate trip report.
Papeete to Auckland
I spent 3 days in Papeete, the hotels are quite fully booked which makes it difficult to find accommodation as most people come to Tahiti for their honeymoons. The situation is worst in islands like Bora Bora. There are many local house “Fare” and airbnb type of accommodation available.
Air Tahiti Nui Lounge Papeete
Before my departure to Auckland, I also visited the Air Tahiti Nui Lounge which is located on the 2nd floor of the departures area.
The return flight started the same as how I arrived, walking out to the tarmac for boarding. No issues with photography.
All the people I’ve met on my trip were extremely friendly. Never say no to a photo!
You can tell, I love taking pictures of the crew in their exotic dresses. It really created a nice atmosphere and relaxing mood.
My Thoughts on Air Tahiti Nui
Air Tahiti Nui B787 is the most colorful and the most exotic B787 I’ve flown. Flight attendants gave out tiara flowers to passengers. The flight experience was immersive to the Tahitian culture. I enjoyed my flights onboard Air Tahiti Nui and would prefer flying them again to Tahiti. Air Tahiti Nui will be launching new flights to Seattle from October 4th.
Pros
- An immersive experience of Tahitian culture.
- Full-service airline with lounge, proper long haul seating and free meal/drinks.
Cons
- 2-2-2 in Business Class – not all seat has aisle access.
- Limited network. Flying from LA, Paris, Auckland and soon Seattle to Tahiti only.
Though your trip sounds lovely, my experience on flying into ppt from aukland was a truly bizarre nightmare. After exiting the flight from aukland on air nz flight. I heard the beautiful music and saw the flowery dresses only to be met by the meanest immigration/police I have ever encountered in all my 62 years of travel.
I was on a 1 way flight due to board a sailboat delivery immediately to sail to Australia. I possessed a marine crew letter indicating my travel onward. I didn’t even have a chance to breath when the immigration officer said I could not enter tahiti. I was in shock as all my papers were in order. After realizing there was no arguing or changing there minds to wait until morning and discuss this with the port captain. My flight had arrived after a 5 hour flight from aukland I was being put back on the same plane I had come on. I have never been treated so horribly by any officials in my life. Not only were they rude to an old lady they actually spoke to me derogatory saying they didn’t want me and I should go home. I am an American mother. I had remained calm, as I was in shock and they kept speaking and giving me documents in French. I had always dreamed on sailing the south pacific and could not believe what was happening. After 2 hours I was put back on the flight back to aukland..not even my original departure city or country. The immigration officials took my passport, immunization card and airline tickets. On arriving back in aukland my passport was returned but no tickets and no immunization card. I am still trapped in new zealand awaiting help from the airlines. I write this as air nz and tahiti air work together and travelers need to be aware of the not so friendly welcome Americans may encounter. I was out the total cost of my trip and the sailboat had to sail without me and I am still 2 weeks later stuck in nz. If you are going to promote a fancy new plane, someone needs to overhaul tahitis extremely rude immigration. All of this could have simply been easily rectified given better customer service with the airlines that are flying into tahiti. I have been under so much stress due to a country that needs looking at if they are going to welcome visitors and tourists. By the way there was another couple on board that never got to board their cruise. You might have fancy planes but taking care of your customers well being should be #1.
Still waiting for resolution.
Bee…
Well done video, as usual ! I’ve flown many A340s LAX-PPT. Hopefully next year back to PPT on the 787.