AIR TAHITI NUI review :  22 June 2009 : by Harry Patankar  (Australia)

AKL-PPT-AKL. Did MEL-AKL earlier in the day with Emirates on a seperate booking. Bags checked in through to PPT at MEL did make it with us, so no complaints there. Looking at the plane's fuselage, the cabin decor and the Tahitian music playing made you feel you are going on a vacation. Inflight crew attentive and friendly, especially on the way back. Meals were good. Only sore point was the IFE. It was not AVOD and very limited choices. Had the IFE been better would have scored this flight at 9 or 10.

AIR TAHITI NUI review :  1 June 2009 : by G Mulcahy  (UK)

The overnight flight Papeete to LA was cancelled without notice. We were booked on the flight 12 hours later which meant we could not make any connecting flights that day to JFK as we arrived too late. We were given an hotel room for the night before the flight but had to fend for ourselves in LA for the enforced overnight stop. The reason for the cancellation was not made clear but I would suspect it was none other than not enough passengers as cancellations seems to happen frequently. The same flight the previous evening had also been cancelled. At no time did anyone offer an apology. I would not recommend this airline as they are unreliable.

AIR TAHITI NUI review :  23 February 2009 : by Ross Fitzpatrick

LAX-PPT-AKL-LAX Economy return. The flight from LAX to PPT was cancelled. I was notified about two weeks before the flight was supposed to leave. I was a bit peeved as the flight from LAX was a connecting flight and the cancellation meant that I had to overnight in LA and take the next flight the following morning. I explained my situation to Air Tahiti Nui and they put me up in a hotel (Four Points by Sheraton)and gave me dinner and breakfast vouchers! The flights were all on time, plane modern, plenty of room for economy. I'm 5'11 and was comfortable for the entire trip. The inflight entertainment is not as modern as it could be, its not on demand, but the movie selection is good and there is a nice selection of recent releases. One note of caution, try to avoid any stopovers in Tahiti that will be longer than two hours - the airport is old and boring, and there is nothing to do while you wait, not even a TV to watch. The food was superb for economy, and inflight service by the attendants was friendly, polite and professional. Topping all of this off is the fact they were $700-$1000USD cheaper than ANZ, Qantas or United.

AIR TAHITI NUI review :  3 February 2009 : by Brent Burney

AKL-LAX-AKL (via PPT) First Class. The service onboard is outstanding and pretty difficult to fault. The crew could not have been more professional or pleasant. Food AKL-PPT and PPT-LAX would have been at home in 5 star restaurant (less good on the return, but still acceptable). Seats, although first generation lie flat, were comfortable and all features worked. There is no screen between passengers, but I did not feel an invasion of personal space. Boarding on all legs was efficient and every leg left early . The negatives? Ground crew at all three airports. At the initial check in Auckland, I did not get the aisle seat I had requested, and had been confirmed with the airline 7 months earlier - and had to kick up quite a fuss - miraculously one opened up. The same thing happened PPT-LAX. On arrival at LAX, no bags. They were off-loaded at PPT and could not be traced. They did turn up on the next flight: that isn't good enough on economy, but it is completely unacceptable in First. The response of the LAX agents could not havee dismissive. Arriving back in Auckland, bags (which had first and priority labels) were the last to appear (perhaps I should be grateful that they appeared at all!). So, inflight, this is a rival to any airline and competitively priced on the Transpacific route; it certainly would have been a "10". If only they could get their act together with ground crew.

AIR TAHITI NUI review :  3 February 2009 : by Ellen Paul

The flight attendants told passengers those in-transit to Auckland need not complete the Tahitian immigration forms, and we should proceed to the transit lounge. This is what we had expected, and made sense. Once off the aircraft, though, those of us who entered the lane marked transit lounge and walked the short distance to the transit lounge found it locked. No one could tell us why it was locked, how to enter the lounge, or what to do. We asked the cabin crew, as they came off the aircraft, and they shrugged their shoulders and walked on. Eventually, we realized the only option was to complete Tahitian immigration forms and go into the baggage claim area, as it appeared we might be able to enter the transit lounge from there. This, however, proved not to be true. Again, no one seemed to know what we should do, even though we kept asking how to enter the transit lounge. I speak passable French, so this was not a language problem. Eventually, we picked up our luggage and cleared Customs. When we entered the airport terminal, I found an Air Tahiti Nui staff, and she told us that the transit lounge was not open and we would have to go to a hotel for the night. She seemed unconcerned and disinterested. I then found the security office but they couldn't tell me anything. I returned to the Air Tahiti Nui staff who told me that everyone knows that Tahiti won't let passengers use the transit lounge, and we should have known it. We weren't about to spend over $100 to stay in a hotel room for a few hours, so along with two dozen other passengers, we spent the time in the hot, dirty, smoky airport terminal. The ATN check-in desks finally opened at about 4-30 a.m. and we were able to get our boarding passes, but as Security didn't open for another hour or so, we were still forced to wait in the terminal. Once allowed into the departure lounge, we found that it was shabby, dirty, and unpleasant. A small coffee bar sold food, but didn't accept credit cards, and we weren't about to go back out through Security to find an ATM to get cash in a currency we didn?t need just to buy a cup of coffee. You may wonder why we didn't just go directly to the departure lounge and wait there. Well, the ATN staff in LAX refused to give us the boarding passes from Papeete to Auckland. They said that they issue boarding passes no more than three hours in advance. When we arrived in Papeete, the check-in counters were closed. Thus, we couldn't get boarding passes and couldn't get into the departure area. Three weeks later, when departing Auckland, I asked an ATN supervisor why they don't let transit passengers use the transit lounge. She said that in their view, a layover of that length does not constitute in-transit and that they are unwilling to allow people to use the transit lounge. As ridiculous as this is, the worst part is that they don't bother to warn you about it before you travel, so you can take this into account when making your travel plans. Upon arrival back in Papeete, with only an hour layover, we again found the transit lounge locked, even though flight attendants assured us we would be allowed to wait in the transit lounge.  Instead, they simply diverted transit passengers directly into the departure lounge, even though most hadn't been issued a boarding pass in Auckland (we had one, but only because I went back to the check-in counter and insisted upon it). Obviously, they could have done exactly the same thing on the Papeete- Auckland overnight layover had they wanted to do so. I suspect the whole thing is a means of trying to force passengers to spend some money in Tahiti. Whatever the reason, it is a shabby way to treat passengers.

AIR TAHITI NUI review :  26 January 2009 : by Steve Rogers

Flew coach Auckland to Lax via Tahiti. Food outstanding, including free wine (several) and great desserts - who does that in coach anymore? Crew attentive, courteous, and professional. Flight on time. Loved the attendant's traditional dress and gift of flowers. Complete amenity kit provided. Left a carry on bag untagged at the check in counter in Auckland - called from US day later and located it at the Auckland airport lost and found. Contacted Air Tahiti Nui customer service in LA. They offered to retrieve from Auckland lost and found, tag it, and send it to LAX at "no charge". Also arranged for Fedex to deliver it to my door. My personal thanks to Reservation Mgr who went far beyond the call of duty on this one. It is employees like this who have earned my loyalty to Air Tahiti Nui.

AIR TAHITI NUI review :  24 January 2009 : by T Cambre

I flew economy class from LAX to PPT to AKL and back. The flight attendants were gracious. The food and beverage service was superb. Smiles on the crew seemed genuine. Giving passengers Tahitian gardenias as we entered the terminal at Faa’a, and again on boarding new planes, was a nice touch. Finally, I very much appreciated the three musicians playing and singing at Faa’a.

AIR TAHITI NUI review :  19 January 2009 : by Vladimir Shapovalov

LAX-PPT Y class on Mangareva. Full flight, but attentive service, delicious meals, decent IFE (though not on demand and some functions not working), nice amenity kits in Y class (socks, eyemask, earpieces, earplugs, wet tissue, and stickers. On time arrival. Overall, great experience. PPT-LAX Y class on Moorea. Some mess at check-in - luggage conveyer not working, but staff handled this well. Again a full flight, plane looked slightly older (judging from older IFE and restrooms), less attentive service, but overall a good experience. On time arrival in LAX.

AIR TAHITI NUI review :  14 January 2009 : by Adrian Storey

AKL-LAX Business Class. Excellent service with very good food and wines. Quick st opover in Tahiti wih a change of planes. Again very good service. Seats were old style on both legs but are comfortable and managed a good sleep to LAX. No AVOD films but selection available was good.

AIR TAHITI NUI review :  13 December 2008 : by Philip Quattrone

First Class round trip from LAX to PPT. Overall a great experience. They take their service very seriously - presentation outstanding, good food and very well trained staff both ways. FA's could not have been more gracious. The negatives were boarding, both in LAX and PPT extremely chaotic, with little concern for First Class customers. In LAX First Class was actually boarded at the end of the Y line - as they said they weren't "prepared " yet for First Class. FA's change outfits right after takeoff, and this coupled with their set up duties, makes for a long wait (45 minutes from wheels up on both flights) before you get a drink - and this is with just 6 seats in First Class On both flights there was only 1 Flight Attendant working in First Class. This means they are doing all of their own cart set up plus delivery on their own - so again you wait in between courses. Great caviar service but no accompaniments - just toast points and a piece of lemon. No ovens in the First Class galley which means First Class meals are cooked and placed in large serving dishes in the Business Class galley. This meant lukewarm entrees by the time they were served in First Class. First Class seats (although lie flats) are the very old and not so private or comfortable type. IFE antiquated and not on demand - so you are pretty limited in movie selection. With a few adjustments in their delivery and some refurbishment in First Class seats this could be an outstanding First Class product.

AIR TAHITI NUI review :  18 November 2008 : by J Olivier

LAX-CDG. Overall the flight was good. Flight attendants were gracious and came through the cabin throughout the flight with water and snacks. Both meals were hot and fairly tasty. Throughout the flight, Ruffles, Oreos, sandwiches, and cup-of-soup were available in the galleys in addition to drinks - alcoholic and not. Entertainment is good - multiple options rerunning on a loop with games as well. Always nice to fly an airline with a tropical feel vice the dark blue interiors that one normally finds.

AIR TAHITI NUI review :  13 November 2008 : by L Ashley

This was my 10th round trip from LAX to Tahiti. Have flown all three classes. 98% of the flights have been flawless, and very enjoyable. From the crew to the food/drink to the tiare to the IFE, they are a class above any of the other airlines I've flown. Business and first class are a real treat.

AIR TAHITI NUI review :  7 November 2008 : by David Abrams

CDG to LAX. I went into this flight with high expectations. I had seen good things about the airline and crew. When we checked in for the flight, service was normal. Nothing outstanding. The cabin crew was nicely dressed and greeted us. We boarded the nearly full flight and was happy to see plenty of overhead space. We sat in economy class. After takeoff, I attempted to use the InFlight entertainment system. The controls for the system were broken. It was obvious that it had been broken for some time because the access point to fix the controller was marked up from a screwdriver opening it. When I brought this to the attention of the cabin crew, they told me they didn't have the ability to fix it. For a 12 hour flight, I was less than happy. Luckily, I brought a small laptop with movies already downloaded. I powered it up and watched a couple of movies before my battery died. Air Tahiti Nui does not have power ports in economy class. Once the laptop was dead, the entertainment stopped. When I needed something, like wine or water, I got up and went to the galley to get it myself. That wasn't really an issue because during a 12 hour flight, it is nice to get up. If I didn't have an aisle seat, this would have been a pain. The meals on board were good. The wine was nice. The flight was on time. Except for one crew member, they were pleasant and slightly above standard. This airline would have received higher than average ratings from me if the entertainment system had worked. On a 12 hour flight, it is a big deal. I know the airline knew the system was broken and offered no concessions. The person I was flying with also had problems with the controller but was able to manage. Mine was completely broken. My guess, it still hasn't been fixed and that is unacceptable.

AIR TAHITI NUI review :  10 October 2008 : by F Dawson

Trip Rating : 4/5

AKL-PPT-LAX, Economy. Liked the Amenity kits and meals were decent. Let down by the IFE as not many choicesl, only 5 movies which run on a loop. On second flight, the headset provided didn't work and had to ask staff three times before getting a new one - more than an hour into the flight.

AIR TAHITI NUI review :  15 September 2008 : by Michal Znasik

Trip Rating : 5/5

NRT-PPT-NRT. New Airbus A340. Excellent cabin crew. Lots of drinks and snacks in- flight. Very comfortable flight. Air Tahiti Nui even give all passengers a Tiare de Tahiti flowers. Best compliments to Air Tahiti Nui. Overall a very satisfying experience.

AIR TAHITI NUI review : 7 September 2008 : by O Bennett

Trip Rating : 4/5

LAX/ PPT Business Class. Check-in in LAX slow and chaotic. Outdated Bradley International Terminal Facilities are an embarassment to the US, and the shared Business Class Lounge was drab and offered few amenities. Flight Attendant service professional and friendly, wines excellent, food just OK. For example, the main course is pre plated rather than individually assembled, and the taste of the main course was bland. Nice dessert cart with various dessert options. Average, old style seats and IFE did not offer on demand movies. The return flight in Economy offered better value. Two hot meals on an 8 hours 30 minutes flight, printed menus, amenity kits, free alcoholic beverages. Check-in in PPT was reasonably efficient despite a fully booked aircraft. Overall, a fairly nice airline, but the premium product requires some attention.

AIR TAHITI NUI review : 22 July 2008 : by Philip Doyle

Trip Rating : 5/5

I was seated in 41k and the seat next to me was empty too, new Airbus A340 SYD-PPT. Excellent cabin crew. Decked out in traditional Tahitian dress. Very courteous and attentive. Lots of drinks in- flight. Amazing IFE. Very comfortable flight. Air Tahiti Nui even give all passengers a Tiare de Tahiti flowern. Second flight PPT-LAX on A340 also but this aircraft was a little older. Still excellent service. Cannot wait to fly them again. A very exotic experience.

AIR TAHITI NUI review : 16 July 2008 : by M Vasavada

Trip Rating : 4/5

Our best compliments to Air Tahiti Nui - me and my wife travelled to the US and had a very pleasant flight and experienced courteous staff, great food (and me being vegetarian makes it harder!). Overall a very satisfying experience. We came across customer friendly staff when I called reservations with a query when we were in the US. Best wishes to all staff at Air Tahiti Nui.

AIR TAHITI NUI review : 21 June 2008 : by Michael Mouat

Trip Rating : 4/5

A340 Business Class. There are two experiences when flying to and from Papeete from LAX. The first one is far superior with very good food, fairly modern craft, well organized flight crew. The return flight is often done on older craft, the meal service adequate at best, and everything managed by a crew who, while not hostile, weren't too careful about their job. I suppose much of this can be rationalized by the fact that the cost is one third of a comparable class to Europe. Even so, the airport lounge at Papeete has all the charm of a bus depot in Middle America with almost no food available.

AIR TAHITI NUI review : 13 June 2008 : by T Hentunen

Trip Rating : 5/5

AKL-PPT in economy. Great surprise. Extremely pleasant flight all in all. Great IFE and fine selection of foods and drinks. Very nice service with a unique Tahitian twist. Would recommend to everyone!

AIR TAHITI NUI review : 21 May 2008 : by D Mauro

Trip Rating : 5/5

JFK-PPT-JFK Economy. It was so refreshing to have delicious food, goody bags, a nice cabin, and helpful flight attendants. Flying this airline was actually part of the experience of visiting French Polynesia.

AIR TAHITI NUI review : 27 April 2008 : by R Villa

Trip Rating : 3/5

LAX-PPT-SYD in Economy Class. My wife and I love the inflight service of this airline. They continuously feed you and give you drink. The individual TVs were great as well. Warning on the newer A340s, the seats seem harder and more uncomfortable. In addition, unfortunately, flight reliability is an issue. Our flight from PPT-SYD was delayed 1.5 hrs which is really difficult for a flight regularly scheduled for 2am. PPT-LAX was cancelled and we were rebooked to another flight 1.5 hours later. Not a big deal, but no one communicated it to us. We discovered the cancellation when new boarding passes were handed out in PPT. Others on our flights were scrambling at LAX to try to catch connecting flights. The lesson in all this is to overnight in PPT on the way back to LAX from SYD.