Flying to Tahiti: Which Airline is Best?

After our fantastic experience aboard SeaDream Yacht Club's SeaDream II in January, Leonard and I couldn't go too long without booking another cruise. So, now we're planning to try the new Paul Gauguin Cruises in May. Yeah!

As you may know, Regent Seven Seas Cruises used to manage the Paul Gauguin but relinquished operations to the ship's owner this past January. Pacific Beachcomber S.C.—owner of five high-end resort properties in French Polynesia—also owns the new Paul Gauguin Cruises.

The line has retained most of the original crew and early reports from those who cruised aboard the PG in January were very positive. We can't wait to investigate the ship for ourselves.

Of course, first we need to actually get to Tahiti. It looks like our options are limited to Air Tahiti Nui and Air France, both of whom fly nonstop from Los Angeles (LAX) to Papeete, Tahiti (PPT).

If we select Air France, we'll be on a Boeing 777-200. Air Tahiti Nui is using the Airbus 340-300.

Can any of you share your experiences flying to Tahiti in economy on either of these carriers? If so, please add a comment to this post. Thanks!

—Andrea M. Rotondo for LuxuryCruiseBible.com

Photo of m/s Paul Gauguin courtesy of Paul Gauguin Cruises