Review of Air France flight from Los Angeles to Papeete in Business

A trip around the world..

It is with this title from Bougainville's logbook/novel which relates his circumnavigation and discovery of Tahiti that I begin this second flight to Polynesia. The landscape, the hospitality and the way of life are accurate, however the image of paradise of Tahiti first started with this logbook.

Flying blue miles claimed: 13 932
XP status points earnt: 45 (Air France was offering 50% more XP after Covid)

A reminder on the routing below

This is an historic flight, and the longest domestic flight in the world (with a lay over at LAX).

The Air France app worked properly.

The flight will be operated by a 280-seat B777-200ER, as always since the retirement of the B747-400, almost 20 years of undisturbed routine.

Since, the A350s and their exceptionnally good Business cabins took over.

This aircraft configuration is called "business" because it offers two business cabins and therefore a little less seats in total.

A LOS ANGELES - AÉROPORT INTERNATIONAL

For the stamp collectors

The famous TBIT hall is easily recognizable with this roof.

I've never been through LAX before, and the signs for the lounges weren't very clear, luckily FR is there to help me!

I had seen on the website that KAL was nearby, knowing my Skyteam members like the back of my hand, we set off with determination to see these famous kimchi.

AT THE KOREAN AIR LOUNGE

We are a bit tired from the first leg, at first glance the lounge with its neutral tones looks like a great promise of rest, except that it is packed.

Note: since this report, Korean Air has surprisingly stopped its collaboration with Air France and now the passengers are sent to the Quantas lounge.

Impossible to see much of the planes from the lounge however we can clearly see our gate and our B772

The buffet isn't the most exciting, but at least you can indulge yourself in trying Korean cuisine at 3am Paris time.

Our first contact with the wines of the cauliflower state, in the territory, it's worth celebrating!
Verdict:
- the chardonnay meh (of course I didn't expect the flavor of Burgundy but hey meh)
- the cabernet holds up well

The main reason for our trip to the salon: the shower! Which will be taken with less excitement and sensuality than in Paris, we were a little tired, did I say it? XD

It's a shower like in a spacious apartment that is offered to you, in fact I think it's the largest living room shower I've seen so far.

On the other hand I agree with the majority opinion of the gold whatsapp group, it's maybe not the best lounge in LAX.

Back to our gate where boarding has already started but we know that it is unlikely to leave without its passengers so we are not in a hurry.

The plane is connected to the terminal by two jetways, we turn the first left and it is also our first contact with the Tahitian language.

ONBOARD THE B772

Aircraft: Boeing B777-228ER
Tail number: F-GSPY
Engines: 2x GE90
Age: 20 years
Layout: J40 C24 Y216
Named: Vincennes
Comments: One of the last B772 received by Air France and with the new livery.

Air France is one of the very few airlines to still offer hangers to leave our coats on, before the crew puts them away - a lovely gesture except it is much useful when you fly from a warm to another warm destination!

The bridge that will be removed.

My impressions of the seat are available on my previous FR

The kit is distributed before takeoff as well as the menu…

I welcome the late hour with determination and champagne.

The famous little “boudoir” and its vanity mirror.

The security video that we know with the Iron Lady in the last shot, a very nice one.

Taxi time is a tad long but at least allow any avgeek to discover LAX.

Passing by the United Airlines maintenance hub.

A rare sight with this B744

My companion will fall directly asleep - I would have expected him to be faithful in my debauchery of dishes and appetizers but let's be positive: he is more reasonable than me.

When the crew comes by, she will have the tact not to wake him but to ask me for advice on his breakfast.

A word about the hostesses that we found a little more mechanical, or with a little less enthusiasm even if our CDC did not fail to smile, she still kept a certain distance.

On the other hand, the very charming thing is the tradition inherited from UTA which allows the female staff to change into the more Tahitian outfit just after takeoff until the time to land.

Taking a picture of the staff's dress is a bit tricky but I tried my best.

Let's have a look at the menu.

The foie gras crépineau looks good, but I already had a double dose on the previous flight, and I want something a little less heavy so I can sleep.

In terms of wine, this is exactly the same as the previous flight.

Here are the starters, but served with cheese and dessert - perhaps a way to maximise the sleeping time?

I take a glass of pouilly-fuissé to go wtih the lobster salad which was just wonderful.

The main dish is brought at the pace of each person and the crew regularly refills the wine and bread.
The fish was well cooked, the citrus sauce very present and generous in the sauceboat, however I found that in terms of presentation it was a little weaker, it's quite canteen-like, right?

Sleeping time

I slept about 5h, which was really decent for 8hours flight.

I then quickly chat with our CDC who is "disappointed" for me that I did not manage to sleep longer.
We discuss the destination, our trip, she tells me that she received the memo and congratulates us on our marriage and wishes us a beautiful honeymoon.

She tells me that she lives in the Marquesas, still 4 hours away by flight, and exchanges some addresses with us and warns us that the mosquitoes are hungry there and recommends a very effective and natural mosquito repellent that we have since tested and approved.

The arrival form is distributed, surprisingly it is not an immigration form but a mandatory survey to fill in and return to the Polynesian government.

She offers me an expresso.

Breakfast is the usual mean offered by Air France : omelette, cheese, fruits, granola and croissant.

My companion will have the pleasant surprise of eating his starter that she will not have forgotten to give him. 

The inflight magazine

With the famous double avgeek page.

The back then food on board - if the food may have always been industrial at least the service was amazing.

Already on final.

The landing takes place in a dark night before seeing the very famous roofs of Papeete airport.

AT PAPEETE - TAHITI FAA'A AIRPORT

One last look at our tireless B77-200ER and its pretty new livery.

The passengers are welcomed with music, and what music… I found it on YouTube.

The French queue at the PAF goes quite fast, but the queue for other Europeans takes a little longer

The welcome is with flowers, we had almost forgotten, and this scent of Tiare flower is just sublime.

Sunrise, it's always very early, look at those beautiful purple colors..

Our hotel will be the Fare Suisse, a well-known place now but far superior to many offerings in the area.

A last picture from the island… see you at the next episode!