Airline: Air New Zealand
Aircraft: Boeing 767
Class: Business
Route: Auckland - Tahiti - Auckland
Date: August 2009
We just had flown in from Beijing, and after 12 hrs stopover in Auckland (Koru Lounge) the last part of our journey (on miles) to the South Seas was about to begin: the flight to Tahiti.
We went to the gate and waited for boarding. Business Class was allowed to board first. The cabin of this 767 still featured the "old" leather seats (cradle seats / recliners). We were welcomed warmly, our coats and bags was taken care of and immediately champagne or orange juice was served in fine glass ware. The amenity kit was placed in the seat pocket. This time it was no pouch, but a big envelope made of thick brown paper with New Zealand nature patterns printed on it. The content was the same as before (ear plugs, Pacifica skincare, eye shades, ballpoint pen, socks).
Seat pitch was still quite generous, but I have to add that there was nobody seating in front of us (we were in row 2). The menu cards were given out.
Boarding was completed soon, and we took off to Tahiti. The flight was quite uneventful. Dinner was delicious again and I just watched a movie. As the entertainment system was older of the ones in Business Premier, the quality wasn't that good, but still acceptable. Afterwards I had a short sleep, which was rather a nap. I just prefer sleeping on my side and this is not possible in cradle seats. But they are good to rest and relax, there are definitely worse options! However, taking the prices that Air New Zealand usually charges for that route, it would be better to have real flat seats. Although I have to admit that Business Premier had really spoilt me...
We landed in time and the luggage was delivered quickly. Afterwards we picked up our rental car.
Here some impressions from the islands:
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| View from Le Méridien Tahiti over Moorea |
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| Botanic garden, Tahiti |
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| Tefaaurumai Waterfalls, Tahiti |
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| Under our overwater bungalow, Raiatea |
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| Raiatea Hawaiki Nui Hotel |
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| Motu between Raiatea and Taha'a |
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| Under our overwater bungalow, Raiatea |
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| Raiatea |
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| Approaching Bora Bora |
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| Hilton Bora Bora Nui |
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| Hilton Bora Bora Nui |
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| Bora Bora |
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| Leaving Bora Bora (sorry for the dull photo, the windows of the Air Tahiti planes are so blurry and dirty because of the salt water) |
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| Moorea Bellevue |
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| Whale watching, Moorea |
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| Whale watching, Moorea |
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| Whale watching, Moorea |
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| Moorea |
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| Legends Resort (Villa Iti), Moorea |
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| Flight Moorea - Tahiti |
The flight back to Auckland started very early in the morning. The lounge in Tahiti is small, but sufficient. Security checks were very lax. The flight was quiet, so there was enough time to sleep some more time, have a tasty breakfast (served on fine china again) and finally look out of the window. It was nice to descend to Auckland and see all the islands!
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| Approaching Auckland |
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