Jan 2, 2013, 4:02 am
Last edit by: Prospero
Air Tahiti Nui (TN) is a non-oneworld airline partner of AA. AAdvantage members may use AA miles for awards on TN; members earn miles on TN only if flying TN as an AA marketed / codeshare. AA and TN have expanded codesharing to include CDG, AKL. It is also possible to earn AA miles flying as a Qantas codeshare due to an exclusion from the normal oneworld rule of earning on a oneworld codeshare only if operated by another oneworld airline.
You can now search for TN award availability on aa.com. But you may have to call AA due to some aa.com anomalous behavior. You may also use tools such as ExpertFlyer to find availability, or use Qantas as described in The High Life here.
NOTE: Air Tahiti Nui is “skipping” the USA with the exception of 4-5 flights weekly as of mid-March 2020 and initially through 7 April due to the novel Coronavirus and flying PPT-CDG without stopping at LAX. Link to TN travel policy page.
For AAdvantage awards, remember there must be an unconstructed fare offered by TN - as the most significant carrier - from one's origin - it may not be so likely you'll find an unconstructed fare from FAR or JAX to PPT, more likely from DFW. Otherwise, you may need to get yourself to an OK origin airport with a separate award or paid ticket.
See mercruiser's TN Business award booking process here.
NOTE: AA Agents may have difficulty finding the award space themselves, but:
See the aa.com page on award redemption charts, including the South Pacific, here. From March 22, 2016 on, here.
See post #1 for information on the TN 787 and illustrations, including seat chartand post #2 for information on the A340-343s retiring in 2019.
TN does not belong to any alliance at this time, though they do offer some codeshares and accept awards booked by a number of airlines (including AA). TN offers a "QF3826" PPT-AKL, but as pointed out by JonNYC elsewhere, though ExpertFlyer displays it as a prime flight, it's a codeshare operated by TN and not available for an award. (N.B. ExpertFlyer will show TN award seats accurately.)
- Exit and Bulkhead seats can only be assigned at the airport.
- On the A340 a Business seat or pair may be reserved for the pilot not flying.
- TN, 2019 (Note TN easily gives away predilect seats to “friends and family”, so if you lose your exit row or other favored seat don’t be surprised.)
You can not upgrade TN flights with AA miles, but they offer paid counter upgrades (availability based, Feb 2016 $1,000 Y to J, first come first served, so arrive early at check-in, and they may decline to upgrade paid codeshare flights). See http://borabora.airtahitinui-usa.com...es-charges.asp.
We don’t know if an upgrade from Moana Coach can be purchased to Premium Economy (on the 787-9) as yet.
Link to summary information about PPT Airport.
Link to Papeete Faa’a / PPT very useful page at SleepingInAirports.net.
Air Tahiti Nui was established on 31 October 1996 and commenced flight operations on 20 November 1998. The government of French Polynesia is the major shareholder (84.4%) along with other local investors. (Wikipedia)
Fleet
Seat selection and On Line Check In:
But:
Note: Flights within French Polynesia, e.g. to Bora Bora / BOB, are operated by Air Tahiti / VT (not oneworld nor AA partner) can be acquired with TYP, Barclays etc. travelcard points, but not with AA miles.
Other airline services to PPT include LA via SCL-IPC and AF. HA also offers once a week flights (Saturdays at this time) to PPT via HNL. AA flyers to SYD and AKL; this offers other award opportunities via AA and TN. LA flys SCL-IPC-PPT as well.
Websites: www.airtahitinui.com and www.airtahitinui-usa.com
Link to Archive if 2014-2017 posts from this thread.
You can now search for TN award availability on aa.com. But you may have to call AA due to some aa.com anomalous behavior. You may also use tools such as ExpertFlyer to find availability, or use Qantas as described in The High Life here.
NOTE: Air Tahiti Nui is “skipping” the USA with the exception of 4-5 flights weekly as of mid-March 2020 and initially through 7 April due to the novel Coronavirus and flying PPT-CDG without stopping at LAX. Link to TN travel policy page.
For AAdvantage awards, remember there must be an unconstructed fare offered by TN - as the most significant carrier - from one's origin - it may not be so likely you'll find an unconstructed fare from FAR or JAX to PPT, more likely from DFW. Otherwise, you may need to get yourself to an OK origin airport with a separate award or paid ticket.
Award classes you are looking for on TN (updated Dec 2017 by dkc192) are:
See FleyeSkyHigh’s post #599
- TN awards on AA need to have an "AP" or Another Partner award code.
- NOTE: ]F is J award
- U is Y award
- Z has been J upgrade
- There is no longer First Class on TN
- Moana Premium Economy is not available as an award booking yet
See FleyeSkyHigh’s post #599
First, the basics. The should search for available inventory with the following criteria:
Promo Box- leave empty
Carrier Code Box- TN
Inventory Box- ADV
That's pretty much true for all award searches so if the rep didn't know how to find the carrier code of TN your best bet is going to be to HUCA. Assuming you get that far the next gotcha is the way the type of award code that is used. Often times the agent will simply search for a American or OneWorld award code. That will not work. They need to search using an "AP" award code which basically means "Another Partner Award Code."
...Air Tahiti Nui decided to change their business class award booking codes from I to F back in July of 2017. Much of AA's documentation has not been updated. I think they may have changed the letter codes of Economy awards also...they now come from bucket code U. It's helpful to remind the AA agents of the inventory code you are looking to book. I can tell you they are searching for I or U for business or X or T for economy they have not got the right "AP" award code for the search.
Lastly, I have found it helpful to ask them to go to their other screen and try a "direct access" search for the F or U award inventory directly with TN. This last step in my experience has set off the light bulb for most agents to get it done. I used to have a 10% success rate booking TN awards with AA but once I followed all the steps about I am at 80% plus (meaning I only have to HUCA 1 out of every 5 times).
Promo Box- leave empty
Carrier Code Box- TN
Inventory Box- ADV
That's pretty much true for all award searches so if the rep didn't know how to find the carrier code of TN your best bet is going to be to HUCA. Assuming you get that far the next gotcha is the way the type of award code that is used. Often times the agent will simply search for a American or OneWorld award code. That will not work. They need to search using an "AP" award code which basically means "Another Partner Award Code."
...Air Tahiti Nui decided to change their business class award booking codes from I to F back in July of 2017. Much of AA's documentation has not been updated. I think they may have changed the letter codes of Economy awards also...they now come from bucket code U. It's helpful to remind the AA agents of the inventory code you are looking to book. I can tell you they are searching for I or U for business or X or T for economy they have not got the right "AP" award code for the search.
Lastly, I have found it helpful to ask them to go to their other screen and try a "direct access" search for the F or U award inventory directly with TN. This last step in my experience has set off the light bulb for most agents to get it done. I used to have a 10% success rate booking TN awards with AA but once I followed all the steps about I am at 80% plus (meaning I only have to HUCA 1 out of every 5 times).
NOTE: AA Agents may have difficulty finding the award space themselves, but:
See the aa.com page on award redemption charts, including the South Pacific, here. From March 22, 2016 on, here.
See post #1 for information on the TN 787 and illustrations, including seat chartand post #2 for information on the A340-343s retiring in 2019.
TN does not belong to any alliance at this time, though they do offer some codeshares and accept awards booked by a number of airlines (including AA). TN offers a "QF3826" PPT-AKL, but as pointed out by JonNYC elsewhere, though ExpertFlyer displays it as a prime flight, it's a codeshare operated by TN and not available for an award. (N.B. ExpertFlyer will show TN award seats accurately.)
Since TN introduced 'seat ŕ la carte' on 1 Sept 2019, you can do seat selection online under the condition your booking was ticketed. You need the TN reservation code (PNR):
- Go to manage booking, enter your details (PNR - last name), open reservation
- Go to manage booking, modify traveler details. ENTER CONTACT INFORMATION. THIS IS THE KEY TO BEING ABLE TO SEE SERVICES/SEAT SELECTION. Then select 'continue'.
- Go to Additional Services with the meals sign
- Go to the Seating and pick your seats (free for business, preference or extra comfort seats in Economy at a fee)
”To request seat assignments, please contact our Air Tahiti Nui reservation office at least 72 hours prior to departure. However, we recommend requesting your seat assignments as soon as you confirm and ticket your reservations, so that more seat options will be available. Please be advised, exit and bulkhead rows can only be assigned at the airport.
Air Tahiti Nui aims to honor advance-seating requests. However, we cannot guarantee any particular seat even if the booking is confirmed. Air Tahiti Nui reserves the right to reassign seats at any time, even after boarding of the aircraft, for operational, safety or security reasons. Please accept our apologies if your preferred seat is not available at departure.”
Air Tahiti Nui aims to honor advance-seating requests. However, we cannot guarantee any particular seat even if the booking is confirmed. Air Tahiti Nui reserves the right to reassign seats at any time, even after boarding of the aircraft, for operational, safety or security reasons. Please accept our apologies if your preferred seat is not available at departure.”
- On the A340 a Business seat or pair may be reserved for the pilot not flying.
- TN, 2019 (Note TN easily gives away predilect seats to “friends and family”, so if you lose your exit row or other favored seat don’t be surprised.)
You can not upgrade TN flights with AA miles, but they offer paid counter upgrades (availability based, Feb 2016 $1,000 Y to J, first come first served, so arrive early at check-in, and they may decline to upgrade paid codeshare flights). See http://borabora.airtahitinui-usa.com...es-charges.asp.
We don’t know if an upgrade from Moana Coach can be purchased to Premium Economy (on the 787-9) as yet.
Link to summary information about PPT Airport.
Link to Papeete Faa’a / PPT very useful page at SleepingInAirports.net.
Air Tahiti Nui was established on 31 October 1996 and commenced flight operations on 20 November 1998. The government of French Polynesia is the major shareholder (84.4%) along with other local investors. (Wikipedia)
Fleet
NOTE: TN began flying their Boeing 787-9 “Tahitian Dreamliner” (with GE engines, two purchased, two leased) LAX-PPT etc.18 November, 2018. See Air Tahiti Nui / TN to launch 787-9 Dreamliner 7 November 2018 for more information, including a link to the PDF seat chart. ALL five A340-343s will be replaced by four 787-9s by October 2019.
Boeing 787-9 “Tahitian Dreamliner “ (4 to be in fleet, all by October 2019) link to,TN 787-9 page.
These 787-9s have 30J - 32W - 232Y in a three class configuration . They also offer Panasonic Ku band internet connectivity via WiFi and eX3 IFE.
Boeing 787-9 “Tahitian Dreamliner” seating
C30 (Poerava Business) 2-2-2 Rockwell Collins (née B/E Aerospace) Parallel Diamond (similar to J in the AA A321T or J on QR 777-200LR)
W32 (Moana Premium) 2-3-2 Zodiac Aerospace Z535 Premium Economy class seats.
Y232 (Moana Economy) 3-3-3 in two cabins, with Zodiac Aerospace Z300 Economy class seats
for a total of 294 seats
See post #1 for a current 789 seat chart or SeatGuru here.
Seats in Poerava First are AB, DE, KL
Seats in Moana Premium are AB, DEF, KL
Seats in Moana Premium are ABC, DEF, JKL
“Woven together our fleet names have a hidden meaning: The warrior (TOA) going forward (MUA) in the great (NUI) canoe (VAA)!” The 787-9s will be / are:
F-OMUA “Fakarava”
F-ONUI “Tupaia “
F-OVAA “Bora Bora”
F-OTOA “Tetiaroa”
These 787-9s have 30J - 32W - 232Y in a three class configuration . They also offer Panasonic Ku band internet connectivity via WiFi and eX3 IFE.
Boeing 787-9 “Tahitian Dreamliner” seating
C30 (Poerava Business) 2-2-2 Rockwell Collins (née B/E Aerospace) Parallel Diamond (similar to J in the AA A321T or J on QR 777-200LR)
W32 (Moana Premium) 2-3-2 Zodiac Aerospace Z535 Premium Economy class seats.
Y232 (Moana Economy) 3-3-3 in two cabins, with Zodiac Aerospace Z300 Economy class seats
for a total of 294 seats
See post #1 for a current 789 seat chart or SeatGuru here.
Seats in Poerava First are AB, DE, KL
Seats in Moana Premium are AB, DEF, KL
Seats in Moana Premium are ABC, DEF, JKL
“Woven together our fleet names have a hidden meaning: The warrior (TOA) going forward (MUA) in the great (NUI) canoe (VAA)!” The 787-9s will be / are:
F-OMUA “Fakarava”
F-ONUI “Tupaia “
F-OVAA “Bora Bora”
F-OTOA “Tetiaroa”
Airbus A340-343 (four of five remain in service 1/1/2019; the remainder will be phased out by October 2019)
Four A340s have undergone a CIP (Cabin Improvement Program), one (F-OJTN "Bora Bora") has, and will, not be refurbished. Though "Bora Bora" is more likely to be used on South Pacific - Asia flights, it still visits LAX periodically. Perhaps it will be the first A340 to be retired?
TN have eliminated Poerava First and only offer Poerava Business and Moana Economy classes on the A340, and have added Moana Premium (Premium Economy) on the 789. (See below.) A thread on selecting seats with AA awards and codeshares can be read here. The A340 Poerava Business seats are shell angled lie flat seats; Moana Economy seats presumably have 33” seat pitch, but feels tighter; bulkhead and exit row seating can only be assigned at airport check-in.
As seat charts are the same for all five A340s, it's difficult to know which configuration you will be on.
Link to seat chart.
Four A340s have undergone a CIP (Cabin Improvement Program), one (F-OJTN "Bora Bora") has, and will, not be refurbished. Though "Bora Bora" is more likely to be used on South Pacific - Asia flights, it still visits LAX periodically. Perhaps it will be the first A340 to be retired?
TN have eliminated Poerava First and only offer Poerava Business and Moana Economy classes on the A340, and have added Moana Premium (Premium Economy) on the 789. (See below.) A thread on selecting seats with AA awards and codeshares can be read here. The A340 Poerava Business seats are shell angled lie flat seats; Moana Economy seats presumably have 33” seat pitch, but feels tighter; bulkhead and exit row seating can only be assigned at airport check-in.
As seat charts are the same for all five A340s, it's difficult to know which configuration you will be on.
Link to seat chart.
At this time, online check-in and online seat selection are not available.
To request seat assignments, please contact our Air Tahiti Nui Reservations Office at least 72 hours prior to departure at (877) 824-4846. However, we recommend requesting your seat assignments as soon as you confirm and ticket your reservations, so that more seat options will be available. Please be advised, exit and bulkhead rows can only be assigned at the airport.
Air Tahiti Nui aims to honor advance-seating requests. However, we cannot guarantee any particular seat even if the booking is confirmed. Air Tahiti Nui reserves the right to reassign seats at any time, even after boarding of the aircraft, for operational, safety or security reasons. Please accept our apologies if your preferred seat is not available at departure.
To request seat assignments, please contact our Air Tahiti Nui Reservations Office at least 72 hours prior to departure at (877) 824-4846. However, we recommend requesting your seat assignments as soon as you confirm and ticket your reservations, so that more seat options will be available. Please be advised, exit and bulkhead rows can only be assigned at the airport.
Air Tahiti Nui aims to honor advance-seating requests. However, we cannot guarantee any particular seat even if the booking is confirmed. Air Tahiti Nui reserves the right to reassign seats at any time, even after boarding of the aircraft, for operational, safety or security reasons. Please accept our apologies if your preferred seat is not available at departure.
Lounges
Only TN Poerava Business flyers get lounge access (AA codeshare flyers have been denied) TN are not oneworld, so oneworld status does not apply.
At AKL, NRT, and SYD TN use Qantas Business lounge.
At CDG, TN use the Cathay Pacific Business lounge.
At LAX, TN uses the 'International Lounge' in the Tom Bradley International Terminal for business passengers, shared with Air Fiji, El Al and Philippine Airlines; at other times, they will use the Korean Airlines lounge.
At PPT, TN offer their own Salon Manuhiri International lounge (also Diners, Airport Angel and Priority Pass may be used, though TN ticket counter employees may incorrectly tell you they don't accept those cards - in this writer's personal experience, they do.) airside, second floor via stairs or lift, open 150 minutes prior to departures.
Only TN Poerava Business flyers get lounge access (AA codeshare flyers have been denied) TN are not oneworld, so oneworld status does not apply.
At AKL, NRT, and SYD TN use Qantas Business lounge.
At CDG, TN use the Cathay Pacific Business lounge.
At LAX, TN uses the 'International Lounge' in the Tom Bradley International Terminal for business passengers, shared with Air Fiji, El Al and Philippine Airlines; at other times, they will use the Korean Airlines lounge.
At PPT, TN offer their own Salon Manuhiri International lounge (also Diners, Airport Angel and Priority Pass may be used, though TN ticket counter employees may incorrectly tell you they don't accept those cards - in this writer's personal experience, they do.) airside, second floor via stairs or lift, open 150 minutes prior to departures.
Other airline services to PPT include LA via SCL-IPC and AF. HA also offers once a week flights (Saturdays at this time) to PPT via HNL. AA flyers to SYD and AKL; this offers other award opportunities via AA and TN. LA flys SCL-IPC-PPT as well.
Websites: www.airtahitinui.com and www.airtahitinui-usa.com
nsuring Responsiveness to Our Customers’ Complaints
If a passenger has an unsatisfactory experience on one of our flights or while interacting with one of our employees, they may file a formal complaint to our Customer Relations Department. Every customer complaint will be read and acknowledged in writing within 30 days of our receipt of the complaint. If this initial communication does not fully address the concerns raised, we will send a substantive written response to the customer within 60 days.
Customer Relations can be reached immediately by clicking on the following link:
www.airtahitinui-usa.com/complaints
Or by calling 1(855) 835-9286
Or by writing through the U.S. Mail, and should be sent to:
Air Tahiti Nui - Customer Service
1970 E. Grand Ave, suite 100
El Segundo, CA 90245
Any written communication should contain the following information:
If a passenger has an unsatisfactory experience on one of our flights or while interacting with one of our employees, they may file a formal complaint to our Customer Relations Department. Every customer complaint will be read and acknowledged in writing within 30 days of our receipt of the complaint. If this initial communication does not fully address the concerns raised, we will send a substantive written response to the customer within 60 days.
Customer Relations can be reached immediately by clicking on the following link:
www.airtahitinui-usa.com/complaints
Or by calling 1(855) 835-9286
Or by writing through the U.S. Mail, and should be sent to:
Air Tahiti Nui - Customer Service
1970 E. Grand Ave, suite 100
El Segundo, CA 90245
Any written communication should contain the following information:
- The name of the passenger concerned;
- The ticket number;
- The date and flight # concerning the complaint;[
- If not a complaint onboard the aircraft, the date and location of the event; and
- The nature of the event
A few French Polynesian words make your travel friendlier
Ia ora na - hello (EE-ah o-RAH-na
E - yes (eh)
Aita- no (EYE-tah)
Mauruuru - thank you (may-ooh-ROO-oo-roo)
Cheers - manuia (mon-oo-EE-ah)
Haere maru - take it easy (hah-EH-reh MAH-roo)
Nana- goodbye (NA-na)
Pronunciation:
Bora Bora - POra POra (yes, "B" is pronounced as "P")
Faa'a - faah ah
Papeete - pa-pay-EH-tay
N.B. French is the official language; speaking French is very useful in PF.
Ia ora na - hello (EE-ah o-RAH-na
E - yes (eh)
Aita- no (EYE-tah)
Mauruuru - thank you (may-ooh-ROO-oo-roo)
Cheers - manuia (mon-oo-EE-ah)
Haere maru - take it easy (hah-EH-reh MAH-roo)
Nana- goodbye (NA-na)
Pronunciation:
Bora Bora - POra POra (yes, "B" is pronounced as "P")
Faa'a - faah ah
Papeete - pa-pay-EH-tay
N.B. French is the official language; speaking French is very useful in PF.
AA Miles Award: TN / Air Tahiti Nui award redemptions (master thread)
Sep 4, 2019, 2:49 am
#226
Join Date: Apr 2010
Location: MUC / PAR / HAJ / LFCZ
Programs: LH Miles & More
Posts: 156
All,
found a solution to do seat reservations online now! Since TN introduced 'seat ŕ la carte' on 1 Sept 2019, you can do everything online under the condition your booking was ticketed. You need the TN reservation code (PNR):
found a solution to do seat reservations online now! Since TN introduced 'seat ŕ la carte' on 1 Sept 2019, you can do everything online under the condition your booking was ticketed. You need the TN reservation code (PNR):
- Go to manage booking, enter your details (PNR - last name), open reservation
- Go to Services with the meals sign
- Click on optional services (this regroups special meals but also seat reservation and special assistance etc.)
- Go to seat reservation and pick your seats (free for business, preference or extra comfort seats in Economy at a fee)
Only works on the regular website, not mobile.
Hope that helps. Maybe wiki needs to be amended. Finally a full solution for AA award travelers.
Hope that helps. Maybe wiki needs to be amended. Finally a full solution for AA award travelers.
Last edited by franzose; Sep 4, 2019 at 9:46 am
Sep 4, 2019, 10:19 am
#227
Join Date: Aug 2018
Posts: 4
All,
found a solution to do seat reservations online now! Since TN introduced 'seat ŕ la carte' on 1 Sept 2019, you can do everything online under the condition your booking was ticketed. You need the TN reservation code (PNR):
found a solution to do seat reservations online now! Since TN introduced 'seat ŕ la carte' on 1 Sept 2019, you can do everything online under the condition your booking was ticketed. You need the TN reservation code (PNR):
- Go to manage booking, enter your details (PNR - last name), open reservation
- Go to Services with the meals sign
- Click on optional services (this regroups special meals but also seat reservation and special assistance etc.)
- Go to seat reservation and pick your seats (free for business, preference or extra comfort seats in Economy at a fee)
Only works on the regular website, not mobile.
Hope that helps. Maybe wiki needs to be amended. Finally a full solution for AA award travelers.
Hope that helps. Maybe wiki needs to be amended. Finally a full solution for AA award travelers.
Sep 4, 2019, 1:24 pm
#228
Join Date: Apr 2010
Location: MUC / PAR / HAJ / LFCZ
Programs: LH Miles & More
Posts: 156
USD 30 for preferred, USD 80 for extra comfort.
Upgrades starting at USD 600.
Sep 17, 2019, 11:41 am
#229
Join Date: Jun 2017
Programs: HH Diamond, Rapid Rewards, AA Advantage, United Mileage Plus
Posts: 13
AA Codeshare
Just got off the phone with ATN, this was my second time calling to get seat assignments. I booked with CSR points through the Chase portal, but it was American coded flights. Could see the AA flights on the AA site, and could see availability with my ATN reference number on their site, but could not choose seats on the ATN site.
The first rep I called said at first that she could book middle seats for us (which I was fine with) but then changed her story and said that they could not be booked ahead since it was a codeshare flight with AA.
Gave it a little while and then called again. Got a really nice CSA, Kathy, who booked the middle seats I wanted (from looking at the seat map on the ATN website). I booked two middle aisle row seats for my husband and I. Kathy told me that they cannot sell the extra premium seats since it was a codeshare, but we could look into changing those at online check-in 36 hours before the flight (good to know!) we are flying in on a Tuesday so I am hopeful that there will be some bulkhead or premium economy seats available.
Thanks for all of the advice on this forum! If you don't get the help you need, just call again or ask to talk with a supervisor! My seats showed up on the ATN website immediately.
The first rep I called said at first that she could book middle seats for us (which I was fine with) but then changed her story and said that they could not be booked ahead since it was a codeshare flight with AA.
Gave it a little while and then called again. Got a really nice CSA, Kathy, who booked the middle seats I wanted (from looking at the seat map on the ATN website). I booked two middle aisle row seats for my husband and I. Kathy told me that they cannot sell the extra premium seats since it was a codeshare, but we could look into changing those at online check-in 36 hours before the flight (good to know!) we are flying in on a Tuesday so I am hopeful that there will be some bulkhead or premium economy seats available.
Thanks for all of the advice on this forum! If you don't get the help you need, just call again or ask to talk with a supervisor! My seats showed up on the ATN website immediately.
Sep 20, 2019, 1:47 pm
#230
Join Date: Aug 2017
Location: SFO
Programs: UA Gold
Posts: 19
Booked 1 business award 73 days out CDG-LAX
Wanted to share my easy experience booking 1 award seat in Business (F) on CDG-LAX.
6/28/2019 – Set up ExpertFlyer notification for 12/1/2019 CDG-LAX Business (1 seat).
9/19/2019 – Received email notification from ExpertFlyer than 1 seat was available.
I tried booking on AA.com as I had previously seen TN coach awards, but it wasn't showing up. I called AA and the agent was able to find the flight with no problem, I said it was for a business partner award on Air Tahiti Nui.
It took awhile to ticket – ~8 hours later I received the email confirmation and notice my credit card had been charged the taxes and fees.
9/20/2019 – Tried logging onto TN's website to select my seat, but couldn't login. I called Air Tahiti Nui's Los Angeles office number to select my seat. I chose a middle seat because I prefer direct aisle access when traveling alone. They were able to retrieve the booking through AA's record locator. Interestingly they would not provide my TN record locator, and told me to call AA. I called AA and they provided this right away. TN's record locator allowed me to login to view my itinerary but I can't change my seat from there.
Pretty easy experience & really looking forward to flying TN!
6/28/2019 – Set up ExpertFlyer notification for 12/1/2019 CDG-LAX Business (1 seat).
9/19/2019 – Received email notification from ExpertFlyer than 1 seat was available.
I tried booking on AA.com as I had previously seen TN coach awards, but it wasn't showing up. I called AA and the agent was able to find the flight with no problem, I said it was for a business partner award on Air Tahiti Nui.
It took awhile to ticket – ~8 hours later I received the email confirmation and notice my credit card had been charged the taxes and fees.
9/20/2019 – Tried logging onto TN's website to select my seat, but couldn't login. I called Air Tahiti Nui's Los Angeles office number to select my seat. I chose a middle seat because I prefer direct aisle access when traveling alone. They were able to retrieve the booking through AA's record locator. Interestingly they would not provide my TN record locator, and told me to call AA. I called AA and they provided this right away. TN's record locator allowed me to login to view my itinerary but I can't change my seat from there.
Pretty easy experience & really looking forward to flying TN!
Sep 21, 2019, 8:51 am
#231
Join Date: Oct 2015
Location: So Cal
Posts: 933
Wanted to share my easy experience booking 1 award seat in Business (F) on CDG-LAX.
6/28/2019 – Set up ExpertFlyer notification for 12/1/2019 CDG-LAX Business (1 seat).
9/19/2019 – Received email notification from ExpertFlyer than 1 seat was available.
I tried booking on AA.com as I had previously seen TN coach awards, but it wasn't showing up. I called AA and the agent was able to find the flight with no problem, I said it was for a business partner award on Air Tahiti Nui.
It took awhile to ticket – ~8 hours later I received the email confirmation and notice my credit card had been charged the taxes and fees.
9/20/2019 – Tried logging onto TN's website to select my seat, but couldn't login. I called Air Tahiti Nui's Los Angeles office number to select my seat. I chose a middle seat because I prefer direct aisle access when traveling alone. They were able to retrieve the booking through AA's record locator. Interestingly they would not provide my TN record locator, and told me to call AA. I called AA and they provided this right away. TN's record locator allowed me to login to view my itinerary but I can't change my seat from there.
Pretty easy experience & really looking forward to flying TN!
6/28/2019 – Set up ExpertFlyer notification for 12/1/2019 CDG-LAX Business (1 seat).
9/19/2019 – Received email notification from ExpertFlyer than 1 seat was available.
I tried booking on AA.com as I had previously seen TN coach awards, but it wasn't showing up. I called AA and the agent was able to find the flight with no problem, I said it was for a business partner award on Air Tahiti Nui.
It took awhile to ticket – ~8 hours later I received the email confirmation and notice my credit card had been charged the taxes and fees.
9/20/2019 – Tried logging onto TN's website to select my seat, but couldn't login. I called Air Tahiti Nui's Los Angeles office number to select my seat. I chose a middle seat because I prefer direct aisle access when traveling alone. They were able to retrieve the booking through AA's record locator. Interestingly they would not provide my TN record locator, and told me to call AA. I called AA and they provided this right away. TN's record locator allowed me to login to view my itinerary but I can't change my seat from there.
Pretty easy experience & really looking forward to flying TN!
Sep 24, 2019, 2:27 pm
#232
Join Date: Dec 2002
Location: Palm Springs ca
Programs: aa lifetime platinum
Posts: 747
TN recent experience cdg to lax in business. Award flight
PLTiOne J seat opened up about 72 hours before departure so I grabbed it to get home and cancelled my DY PE flight reservation. I love the window seat on the 787 and as there was no way that I knew of to check in online so I asked at Cdg for a window seat and I got 6a . Well this is the one seat without a window as well as it’s opposite so it was worse than an aisle seat . I endeavoured to keep an open mind so I decided to just sit back and get ready to enjoy the flight nonetheless.unfortunately the service was economy or PE type service and so was the food.there were no menus
and there were only choices for the main course
Beef ,chicken, or fish
when the starter arrived you had to taste it it figure out what it was ,turned out to be scallops ,in some kind of a red sauce and the main course I chose the beef which was unrecognisable pieces of meat on a bed of dried white rice in a square dish that was served economy class style ,just plopped on the tray .the surprising cheese course was next which was quite decent . I packed up my tray and thought that was it than something called desert was coming around
withput warning so I regrouped a d enjoyed a very nice desert of ice cream set on a rectangular plate with a few other sweet morsels and again that wAs quite nice . Before landing we were served ham on a plate with fruit in a separate dish and a roll . Nothing exciting . Then as I was packing up my tray table again I was asked if I wanted “the hot dish “.
ravioli or polenta was the answer to my question. Welll the ravioli was a step above the canned stuff but ffinr by me . I eat cannned stuff. The polenta dish looked strange as it was just a big mound of polenta with what looked like mushrooms . When we landed I found myself relieved that the trip was over which is not often the case with me as I alwYs enjoy J or F class TATL. The seat was lie flat but I felt myself hemmed in by my seat mate and the blank wall.
all in all TN got the job done safely and reasonably comfortably in business but do not expect an international j experience with either food or service . I also didn’t appreciate having been lied to at CDG about my window sear especially since from the conversations and congregating around the galleys that there were many non revs on this flight and they had real window seats. I can’t be sure of course so that is pure conjecture . If I were travelling with my husband next to me instead of a demanding American lady who didn’t like her special meal and didn’t try to hide it , it would have been a better experience . It turned out to be an etertaining flight in a bizarre type of way .for 57.5 K at the very last minute I was glad to get it .
and there were only choices for the main course
Beef ,chicken, or fish
when the starter arrived you had to taste it it figure out what it was ,turned out to be scallops ,in some kind of a red sauce and the main course I chose the beef which was unrecognisable pieces of meat on a bed of dried white rice in a square dish that was served economy class style ,just plopped on the tray .the surprising cheese course was next which was quite decent . I packed up my tray and thought that was it than something called desert was coming around
withput warning so I regrouped a d enjoyed a very nice desert of ice cream set on a rectangular plate with a few other sweet morsels and again that wAs quite nice . Before landing we were served ham on a plate with fruit in a separate dish and a roll . Nothing exciting . Then as I was packing up my tray table again I was asked if I wanted “the hot dish “.
ravioli or polenta was the answer to my question. Welll the ravioli was a step above the canned stuff but ffinr by me . I eat cannned stuff. The polenta dish looked strange as it was just a big mound of polenta with what looked like mushrooms . When we landed I found myself relieved that the trip was over which is not often the case with me as I alwYs enjoy J or F class TATL. The seat was lie flat but I felt myself hemmed in by my seat mate and the blank wall.
all in all TN got the job done safely and reasonably comfortably in business but do not expect an international j experience with either food or service . I also didn’t appreciate having been lied to at CDG about my window sear especially since from the conversations and congregating around the galleys that there were many non revs on this flight and they had real window seats. I can’t be sure of course so that is pure conjecture . If I were travelling with my husband next to me instead of a demanding American lady who didn’t like her special meal and didn’t try to hide it , it would have been a better experience . It turned out to be an etertaining flight in a bizarre type of way .for 57.5 K at the very last minute I was glad to get it .
Last edited by marbles dad; Sep 24, 2019 at 2:39 pm Reason: Shaky Parkinsons right hand
Sep 30, 2019, 9:31 am
#233
Join Date: Aug 2018
Posts: 1
Question for the Experts:
I am trying to secure a positioning flight PPT-LAX -ORD within my PPT-LAX leg, currently i have the PPT -LAX on hold and cant find any milesavver availability with the LAX-ORD leg - my understanding is that i am able to add the positioning flight "LAX-ORD" while my PPT-LAX leg is on hold but then you CAN'T add it in if i were to confirm the PPT-LAX leg and get it ticketed since i would be changing the destination...is that correct?
I am trying to secure a positioning flight PPT-LAX -ORD within my PPT-LAX leg, currently i have the PPT -LAX on hold and cant find any milesavver availability with the LAX-ORD leg - my understanding is that i am able to add the positioning flight "LAX-ORD" while my PPT-LAX leg is on hold but then you CAN'T add it in if i were to confirm the PPT-LAX leg and get it ticketed since i would be changing the destination...is that correct?
Oct 9, 2019, 10:13 am
#235
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Feb 2001
Location: RDU <|> MMX
Programs: AA EXP 2MM, SK EBS
Posts: 12,443
I just got back from a week in French Polynesia in August, found space on EF for both LAX-PPT and PPT-LAX that never showed up at aa.com, AA agents had no problem booking it.
Oct 9, 2019, 3:08 pm
#236
Join Date: Aug 2010
Posts: 191
Although not the most aspirational redemption, we are able to fly 3 people business class from the west coast to Paris in winter without having to change planes either in the US or Europe (avoiding bad weather). I'll take it. 57.5K miles per person plus $5.60. A bargain IMO.
Oct 9, 2019, 5:36 pm
#237
Moderator: American AAdvantage
Original Poster
Join Date: May 2000
Location: NorCal - SMF area
Programs: AA LT Plat; HH LT Diamond, Maître-plongeur des Muccis
Posts: 62,948
Well, indeed you were correct. Yesterday TN LAX-CDG was F3. I was only able to book 2 on AA.com. EF then showed F1 and AA.com had no availability. I called AA today and agent was able to book the third ticket over the phone in less than 5 minutes. Voila!
Although not the most aspirational redemption, we are able to fly 3 people business class from the west coast to Paris in winter without having to change planes either in the US or Europe (avoiding bad weather). I'll take it. 57.5K miles per person plus $5.60. A bargain IMO.
Although not the most aspirational redemption, we are able to fly 3 people business class from the west coast to Paris in winter without having to change planes either in the US or Europe (avoiding bad weather). I'll take it. 57.5K miles per person plus $5.60. A bargain IMO.
Oct 9, 2019, 8:19 pm
#238
Join Date: Aug 2010
Posts: 191
It actually gets a little better. I got 2 SEA-CDG on Delta One using Virgin Atlantic miles transferred from Amex with the 30% bonus. So 5 business class seats from the west coast to Paris. On...the...same...day!
Nov 20, 2019, 9:16 am
#239
Join Date: Jan 2014
Programs: PlatPro, Globalist, Marriott Platinum
Posts: 60
I've held an AAdvantage reward redemption for and SFO > CDG itinerary, with an SFO > LAX leg on Alaska and the LAX > CDG leg on Air Tahiti Nui. Looking at the confirmation email I've received, it looks like there are no American flight numbers associated with either flight. I was hoping to check a bag, but will it be possible to check through when I check in with Alaska in SFO?
On a slightly separate but similar note, who is responsible for ensuring I make it to CDG on my day of travel? I've booked through American, but on flights with two different carriers - I'm finding it a bit confusing...
On a slightly separate but similar note, who is responsible for ensuring I make it to CDG on my day of travel? I've booked through American, but on flights with two different carriers - I'm finding it a bit confusing...
Nov 20, 2019, 10:48 am
#240
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Feb 2001
Location: RDU <|> MMX
Programs: AA EXP 2MM, SK EBS
Posts: 12,443
I've held an AAdvantage reward redemption for and SFO > CDG itinerary, with an SFO > LAX leg on Alaska and the LAX > CDG leg on Air Tahiti Nui. Looking at the confirmation email I've received, it looks like there are no American flight numbers associated with either flight. I was hoping to check a bag, but will it be possible to check through when I check in with Alaska in SFO?
On a slightly separate but similar note, who is responsible for ensuring I make it to CDG on my day of travel? I've booked through American, but on flights with two different carriers - I'm finding it a bit confusing...
On a slightly separate but similar note, who is responsible for ensuring I make it to CDG on my day of travel? I've booked through American, but on flights with two different carriers - I'm finding it a bit confusing...
The carrier that has the "issues" is the responsible party in the event of a delayed flight. So if you're sitting at SFO and your AS flight is delayed such that you'll miss the TN flight, it's up to AS to rebook you. If this were to happen, get rebooked straight to CDG from SFO. Do not fall for the "they will rebook you when you get to LAX" nonsense that airlines often try to pull.