DEPARTURE

Tom Bradley Int'l: as usual, chaotic, crowded. But no waiting at Air Tahiti Nui desk! Charming French-speaking West African woman checked me in. I said I was exhausted. She said, "Oh, don't worry. I can get you some space so you can sleep."


CABIN

Greeted and handed fresh Tahitian flower. FA offers to hang up my coat. Cabin immaculate. Clean blue colors. Cheery, restful Tahitian music playing on cabin stereo system. FA offers me cold water. Amenity kit includes comfy socks.


SEATING

Have roomy two seats to self, but can see how IFE computer box under seat in front could be nasty if flight were full. Flight is, however, only a little over half full. Plenty of empty seats for stretching out and snoozing.


CATERING

Food is unremarkable but not unpleasant. FAs generous with mixed drinks/wine. Wine, decent. Frequent offers throughout flight for water, fruit juice, etc. Odd little sandwiches, booze, juices, etc. always available in two galleys during flight.


CABIN STAFF SERVICE

Seemed sincerely interested in making flight as pleasant as possible ( eg I had trouble with IFE system. FA said, "Don't worry. We're here to help you.") Never miffed by requests for water, etc. Kept bathrooms very clean. Staff have excellent polyglot language skills.


FLIGHT ARRIVAL

CDG. What's to say? 45-minute wait in long queue, as only three officers working passport control. (Although this was delightful compared to my return via CDG, one hour after terminal 2E collapsed. CDG dispatched only French-speaking personnel to direct international transfer passengers away from 2E, resulting in needless screeching, confusion.)


CUSTOMER VERDICT

The food could be better, but airline is an excellent value. Some of the cheapest fares between LAX- CDG. Standard of service reminiscent of long-haul economy class as it used to be. I've never much wanted to visit Papeete, but my experience with Air Tahiti Nui has caused me to rethink that.


CUSTOMER RANKING