Air Tahiti - experiences?

[Isochronous]

When I was at LAX flying FJ in J on LAX-NAN I noticed that Air Tahiti flies Tahiti-LAX-CDG and was wondering if there might be J specials to Paris, and thus, Europe via Auckland/Tahiti/LAX. Anyone ever tried this and what are their aircraft like?

Also would this earn QF SCs, or is that only possible on the QF codeshare from AKL?

They also fly to Tokyo, apparently, so thought that could be an interesting idea too.

 

[DougR]

Keep an eye on their website. Significant financial losses in recent times has reduced the the number in their fleet and cut back the service to AKL. QF does codeshare with them to provide services to French Polynesia. In previous times, my wife travelled SYD-PPT-JFK and said it was brilliant - (and avoided entering the US in LAX - which is always a bonus) - but that is, unfortunately, no longer an option.
Excellent excuse for a stop-over though. (Now let me tell you about my first trip to PPT... (PanAm, 707, AKL-PPT )

 

[drron]

It is about 4-5 years since we flew with them AKL-PPT.J seating was dreamtime type seating.Service not great.At that time you could earn AA miles on the TN flight number but now aa.com says only able to redeem.And as for QF only earning is if the QF codeshare.

 

[Anna]

Christmas 2011 I flew TN in J from AKL - PPT. Dreamtime seats. Service was fine, food was good. Captain turned on the seat belt sign during some turbulence about 3 hours out of PPT and never turned it off even after we had passed through the turbulence. Which wasn't necessarily a problem until I saw him walk through the cabin in apparent unconcern! At which point I took a toilet break myself without anybody challenging me or telling me to sit down. TBH I think he just forgot to switch the seat belt sign off. Not the most brilliant indicator of pilot awareness.

My travel companion got upgraded to F (yes, we still speak). Same food and wine as in J but a lie flat bed, and a duvet was offered after the meal.

On other trips to PPT I have been in Y which was also fine. Their IFE is not bad and the food is better than you would expect for Y - I think it's the French influence. Service also generally fine for Y.