After an unforgettable two weeks of gallivanting throughout French Polynesia on our “pre-honeymoon”, the second to bid adieu to paradise had lastly arrived.

Whereas Jessy made her method again to North America in United Polaris enterprise class, my journey was removed from over, as I first headed to New Zealand in Air Tahiti Nui premium financial system from Papeete to Auckland.

Since this was solely a five-hour lengthy daytime flight, I figured that premium financial system would suffice on this event.

Furthermore, I assumed it would function a useful evaluation for anybody contemplating this product en path to and from Tahiti, as Air Tahiti Nui additionally operates this cabin on their flagship North American routes to Los Angeles or Seattle.

Air Tahiti Nui Premium Financial system – Reserving

Except you often fly with Air Tahiti Nui and are a part of the “Membership Tiare” mileage program, the American Airways AAdvantage program is the arguably the optimum alternative for redeeming factors with Air Tahiti Nui.

I used to be ready to make use of 25,000 AAdvantage miles to safe a premium financial system seat on my desired date. One of many fundamental advantages in the case of American Airways AAdvantage is that there tends to be only a few further charges that include reserving.

Then again, it may be difficult to rack up a tidy sum of AAdvantage miles, particularly with the absence of any co-branded bank cards in Canada and a restricted variety of methods to earn on each side of the border.

Nonetheless, you possibly can nonetheless earn miles by transferring factors from RBC Avion, by flying with both American Airways or Oneworld companions on money bookings, and thru US-issued bank cards.

Another choice for reserving Air Tahiti Nui is with Alaska Airways Mileage Plan. Whereas Alaska miles are arguably much more tough to come back by than AAdvantage miles, in case you’d like to make use of them for this flight, you possibly can count on to pay 25,000 Alaska miles.

When you’ve earned sufficient miles, you’ll have loads of choices to redeem them for excellent worth by the AAdvantage program, akin to in my case with Air Tahiti Nui premium financial system.

Air Tahiti Nui Premium Financial system – Floor Expertise

Having spent the earlier evening at an airport lodge, I arrived at Faa’a Worldwide Airport simply exterior of Papeete on the morning time in preparation for my 7:20am flight.

Sadly, premium financial system passengers aren’t eligible for lounge entry. The Air Tahiti Nui Lounge is not a part of the Precedence Cross community, regardless of having been a participant previously.

This time, I lingered across the gate space till it was time to board.

Air Tahiti Nui Premium Financial system – Cabin

A fleet of 4 Boeing 787 Dreamliners has changed the older, much less fuel-efficient fleet of Airbus A340-300s that have been beforehand employed by the airline.

Now, Air Tahiti Nui completely operates Boeing 787s throughout its community, so you possibly can look forward to finding this new premium financial system product on all routes.

With solely 32 seats organized in a comfortable 2-3-2 configuration throughout a mere 5 rows, the environment can really feel fairly intimate.

As I boarded the plane, I used to be instantly transported into the colourful premium financial system cabin, which is adorned with a kaleidoscope of colors. I couldn’t assist however discover the tropical nuances that permeated all through.

The cabin is decked out in gorgeous turquoise shades paying homage to the lagoons of French Polynesia, and likewise had touches of the tiare flower. These parts are key gamers in Air Tahiti Nui’s up to date brand and model identification, which have been unveiled concurrently with their new fleet in 2018.

Whereas most seats inside the cabin supply the same degree of consolation, the bulkhead row offers a barely extra spacious setting. Solo travellers will discover any seat, besides the centre one within the center part, to be a beneficial alternative.

It’s price noting that window seats 12A and 12L have two home windows, whereas the remainder of the window seats simply have one.

For {couples} touring collectively, the most suitable choice is to pick out any of the seat pairs situated on the perimeters of the plane, which could facilitate a extra pleasant journey.

These premium financial system seats would function a super alternative for {couples} or households travelling collectively, as they provide added consolation past financial system class at an inexpensive premium. That is particularly the case on shorter flights to Oceania, the place there might not be a have to splurge on a full enterprise class seat.

After cautious consideration, I finally selected Seat 15A, a window seat positioned within the again row of the cabin.

Air Tahiti Nui Premium Financial system – Seat

The premium financial system seats on Air Tahiti Nui, also called Moana premium financial system, are a marked enchancment over their financial system counterparts. These seats boast ample area, enhanced reclining capabilities, and good technological options.

The seats are certainly novel, with a vibrant, eye-catching blue tone. These tones are superbly complemented by charming island-themed accents woven into the material of the seats.

On the seat, I discovered a modest amenity equipment, blanket, and pillow.

Every seat is provided with a 14-inch leisure display screen, which is embedded within the seat backs.

Beneath the leisure display screen, you’ll discover two seatback pockets and a conveniently positioned small storage compartment, nestled amidst the seats.

Along with leg rests, the seat options footrests that could possibly be effortlessly lowered into place, offering an additional degree of consolation.

A compact shared floor area is offered, and it’s ample sufficient for putting a refreshing beverage or a private cellular system, however isn’t notably appropriate for bigger objects.

For management of the leisure system, a handheld leisure controller is discreetly positioned within the internal console by my knees, available to be used.

Every armrest conceals a hidden tray desk. With a easy elevate, the armrest revealed a swivelling tray desk that unfolded in entrance of me, remodeling into a completely practical eating or workspace space.

For these in search of adjustable consolation, the seat presents a primary set of analog controls thoughtfully positioned on the within of the outer armrest. With a single button, I may modify the seat’s recline, and one other button allowed me to fine-tune the legrest to my choice.

Between the pair of seats, two USB ports are conveniently located, which ensured that I may keep powered up all through the flight.

Lastly, the seat offered a commendable quantity of recline. The seat slides barely ahead whereas it reclines, so it doesn’t really feel too restrictive both.

When the time got here to unwind or fall asleep, the seats gently cradles passengers, permitting for a soothing journey.

General, the seats offered a reasonably comfy expertise throughout this fast five-hour flight, and that’s what premium financial system is all about on the finish of the day.

Air Tahiti Nui Premium Financial system – Facilities

The premium financial system amenity equipment was introduced in a playful vivid orange case.

It’s price noting that Air Tahiti Nui rotates colors and designs throughout seats, and I observed different passengers getting a special color scheme. When you’re a frequent flyer based mostly out of Papeete, maybe there is perhaps a component of “gotta catch all of them” to those amenity kits. 

The equipment consisted of socks, a watch masks, a refreshing towel, a dental equipment, and headphones. It actually isn’t probably the most jam-packed amenity equipment you’ll discover on the market, however it’s on par with what you possibly can count on on a premium financial system flight.

Shortly after reaching cruising altitude, the flight attendants started in-flight service. No formal menus have been supplied; as an alternative, the menu was merely displayed on the leisure display screen.

Air Tahiti Nui Premium Financial system – Meal Service

The meal service on my flight consisted of a brunch menu, which started with Greek yogurt to start out and a cheese omelette for the principle dish.

The meal was introduced on a single tray, and as soon as once more had mushrooms in it that I picked round. Curiously sufficient, the inclusion of mushrooms, which I attempt to keep away from, appeared to persist, mirroring my earlier expertise in Air Tahiti Nui enterprise class.

Alas, even leaving the mushrooms apart, the meal fell wanting my expectations, leaving a lot to be desired. The omelette was moderately dry, whereas the cheese itself tasted stale.

Air Tahiti Nui Premium Financial system – In-Flight

Afterwards, I headed to the restroom to clean up. There’s a stunning Air Tahiti Nui-themed wallpaper that adorns the toilet wall.

Inside, there’s a child altering desk, in addition to a restricted set of facilities. It was saved comparatively clear and tidy all through the flight.

Air Tahiti Nui Premium Financial system – Leisure

The in-flight leisure system had a handful of recent releases and genres, together with TV reveals and documentaries. For this fast five-hour flight there, there’s sufficient to select from, and the display screen exhibited spectacular decision and swift responsiveness.

I made a decision to connect with Wi-Fi throughout this flight, regardless of the excessive value concerned.

Accessible plans ranged from $8 (USD) for 10 MB of information to $38 for 200 MB, and there was an all-inclusive choice priced at $68 (USD) for your complete period of the flight with no information caps. Whereas the costs have been steep, I opted for the all-inclusive plan as I didn’t need to fear about working out of information.

Fortunately, the standard of the Wi-Fi connection was glorious, which made the expense considerably worthwhile.

With the dependable and quick connection, I used to be in a position to stream movies with none interruptions, which was precisely what I wanted to maintain myself entertained through the journey by watching a dwell soccer match.

As time handed, the flight attendants carried out a brief snack service. To curb our starvation, they distributed small baggage of crackers to passengers. Though the snack was modest, it offered a short respite.

Conclusion

General, Air Tahiti Nui presents a reasonably normal premium financial system seat. Nonetheless, the cabin boasts a pleasing ambiance, and the seats supply an ample quantity of consolation, at the least for shorter journeys.

This cabin is perhaps an appropriate choice for households or teams of three travellers in search of an inexpensive but moderately comfy solution to attain French Polynesia, particularly on daytime flights.

When you’re unable to safe a seat in enterprise class, Air Tahiti Nui’s Moana premium financial system cabin would even be a passable backup choice.

Whereas the meal service left a bit to be desired and the worth of Wi-Fi was fairly excessive, I in any other case felt that I had every little thing I wanted for the jump over to New Zealand.