AIR TO TAHITI

Click here for general information on award travel to Tahiti

IT IS NOT AS FAR AS YOU THINK - JUST A FEW MORE HOURS THAN HAWAII FROM MOST AMERICAN GATEWAYS
 

Flight time from Los Angeles to Papeete: 7 ½ hours.

There are currently two different air schedules: Air Tahiti Nui and Air France.

Air Tahiti Nui:  Air Tahiti Nui is a great little airline and the one most frequently used by Regent. People are often concerned since they have not heard of Air Tahiti Nui. No need to be concerned. They have a new fleet of wide body air bus planes delivered from 2002 to 2005. Each seat in coach has a TV, the same as the new 777's. They feature six movies per flight.   The food is still airline food but we found it to be better than most US airlines. The service is delightful with the hostesses changing from professional suits to traditional Tahitian gowns for service during the flight. I believe most of you will be pleasantly surprised.

TV's for each seat

The airline has a night flight at the end of the trip.  Non-stop service from JFK to Papeete is available.                         Pre-cruise :Complimentary hotel stay Friday night in LA at the Airport Hilton (except for those with gateway cities close enough to allow connections on Saturday) and breakfast the next morning.  Depart LAX at 1:00 p.m. Saturday, arrive in Papeete 7:30 p.m., and board the ship.  Post-cruise: Disembark Saturday after brunch onboard, and transfer to a day room at either the Regent or Beachcomber, depending on availability.  Your luggage is delivered to your room so you can freshen up before departing for the USA that evening. A complimentary tour of Tahiti is also offered.  Depart the hotel around 8.00pm and fly out from Papeete at 11:00 p.m., arrive LAX at 10:00 a.m. Sunday, then fly home. Full details at the end of this report.

Positives:

·        Easier flight on the way down.

·        You’ll have a day to relax at the end of the cruise instead of rushing to the airport.

Negatives:

·        No mileage accrual on any frequent flyer program.

·        Return home Sunday night with no time to rest before returning to work.

·        Flying from Tahiti to the east coast without a break is a long day of flying at the end of the trip.

Air France:  Night flight at the beginning of the trip.  Pre-cruise:  Depart LAX at midnight Friday night, arrive in Papeete 6:30 a.m. Saturday.  Day room to use.  Enjoy the day in Tahiti. Board the ship early afternoon, enjoy the amenities of the ship or continue to explore the island until evening.  Post-cruise:  Disembark Saturday morning, go directly to the airport, and arrive LAX at 7:00 p.m.  This flight comes in from Paris and is usually quite full.

Positives:

·        Possible Mileage accrual on Delta as a partner of Air France, does not always seem to post.

·        Early boarding to ensure your choice of shore excursions.

·        Arrival home on Saturday with a day to rest before returning to work.

Negatives:

·        Flying from the east coast to Tahiti without a break is a long day of flying before your trip.

·        If you have a long connecting flight from LAX, you may get home very late on Saturday night.

·        Sometimes the frequent flyer miles post to Delta and sometimes they don’t.

Custom Air:  Set Your Own Schedule.  Custom air can be arranged for an additional $100 per person.  With custom air you may select your own itinerary, receive immediate reservations, and secure seat assignments early.  This is the only way to ensure your choice of itinerary, as there are no guarantees as to which schedule will be assigned to you.  You may wait until your itinerary has been assigned and then add the custom air fee to make changes, providing other options are still available.  This is your decision.

Seat Assignments and Frequent Flyer Numbers:  As soon as you receive your air itinerary—usually 30-45 days before departure—we suggest that you call the airlines to get seat assignments and frequent flyer numbers.  We also suggest that you re-confirm everything a few days before departure.  Airlines often make changes without notifying passengers and seat assignments and frequent flyer numbers do not always make the transfer.  We have done our best to keep up with this in the past, but like the cruise lines, we will no longer be responsible for securing seat assignments.  Toll-free phone numbers for Air Tahiti Nui and Air France follow.

Air Tahiti Nui:                        1-877-824-4846

Air France:                            1-800-237-2747

Business Air Upgrade:  Business class air is available for the LAX-Papeete-LAX portion for $2900-3400 per person (total, not in addition to economy air) for 2006.  Sometimes it is possible to upgrade for less on a standby basis on Air Tahiti Nui.  Rates are approximately $600 per person each way, although it could be different on your trip.  Ask the check-in agent if this is available on your flight, as it is not widely advertised.  If you want to do this, take an earlier shuttle from the Hilton to the airport so you can to be closer to the top of the list.

Night Flights:  I suggest you find a sleep product that will put you to sleep for night-time plane flights.  I have found that it makes all the difference in the world foght-time plane flights.  I have found that it makes all the difference in the world foght-time plane flights.  I have found that it makes all the difference in the world for me.  Ask your doctor, as there are mand that it makes all the difference in the world for me.  Ask your doctor, as there are mand that it makes all the difference in the world for me.  Ask your doctor, as there are many prescription drugs that work well with a no “drugged” feelintor, as there are many prescription drugs that work well with a no “drugged” feelintor, as there are many prescription drugs that work well with a no “drugged” feelintor, as there are many prescription drugs that work well with a no “drugged” feeling when you awake.

Connecting in LAX:  Your flight to Tahiti will connect through the Tom Bradley International Terminal.  If your booking includes an overnight at the Hilton, collect your bags and meet the Hilton shuttle outside the baggage area.  There will usually be a Regent representative near the gate or baggage claim to direct you to the shuttle.  Upon check-in, present the hotel voucher enclosed with your cruise tickets.  Another Regent representative will greet you at the Hilton with details for the next day’s transfer to the airport.

Arrival in Tahiti:  Go through passport control and collect your bags.  Complimentary baggage carts are available for your convenience.  Check in with the Regent representative in this area, then you will be directed to the shuttle for transfer to the ship (or hotel, depending on your air schedule.)  You will not be allowed to board the shuttle without first checking in with the Regent rep, even if you have vouchers.  Be sure to have your transportation vouchers ready.  Due to increased security regulations, bags may not be left for separate transfer to the ship.  This has slowed things down considerably, but we have no choice.  If you would rather avoid the shuttle, cab fare to the pier or hotel is about $25.