The trip is 29 May, but I've already got the docs in my grubby little paws!! :banana:
My flight from LAX to PPT departs LAX at 4:20pm - what time is check-in? When do they open the ticket counters in case I want to try to do the $600 upgrade?
Thanks... :D

When we went to Tahiti the ATN counter opened at 930am or 10am I believe. We were in line at 9am and received the last available upgrade for our 1pm flight.

Has Air Tahiti changed their flight schedule to Papette?
I thought they were always 1:30 p.m. flight.

Phil:

What airline are you taking to Tahiti?

Thanks,
Richard

I'm taking ATN, but leaving on Tuesday, for the pre-stay. Pretty sure I'm reading it right, departure 1620...

Phill:

With the info you provided in mind, I would get there AT LEAST four hours ahead of flight time to get any chance at all on the $600 upgrades. Last year, security was at code Orange, and the ATN check in was a zoo! Also, the security lines after check in were a zoo. Not enough personnel or check in stations. I hope LAX has "cleaned up its act" since then, but better safe than sorry.

Hope this helps,
Richard

What Richard said is true.
Last year the LAX situation was the only negative of the whole trip.
1:30 minites at ATN
1:30 minutes standing in a line that started outside the building to go through security.

If ATN is so bad, why don't more fly AF?

Basic reasons (to me):

1. You arrive in early morning, day room, then well rested for 3:00 pm boarding.

2. You leave PPT Saturday morning. No crowded HOT airport for departure.

3. At LAX, you leave from Delta's terminal 5. Actually a very nice terminal that is not bad going through security for your 12:15 am flight.

4. You get Delta frequent flyer miles.

5. For Delta Crown Room Club members (and Platinum Medallions but NOT Amex Plat card holders) you can use Crown Room Club in LAX before flight.

tell me what I have wrong.

Marc, didn't I hear that the AF planes were very "worn" and more cramped seating while the ATN planes were much newer, better service and had individual TV screens???

I thought ATN planes were great!
It was nice to be able to ride in a brand new airplane last year that even smelled new.

Although it was last May/June, we thought ATN was quite good. Not quite on a par with Singapore, but it was good. The airplanes are in good shape and the airline runs on time. We always fly coach and we found ATN to be way above the average airline. LAX is LAX and they go way overboard when there is a security uptic, but I think it's better to do that than just go on with business as usual, given the number of foriegn nationals that pass thru LAX. We got to the ATN desk in the Bradley terminal 3 hours ahead, after walking with our rolling luggage from terminal 1, and sailed right thru the check in. Lynn watched a couple of movies on her private screen and I read a Clancy novel and we were there after a couple of very adequate meals. The food coming out of Papeete wasn't nearly as good though. The flight left LAX at 1300 and arrived Papeete @ 1800-1900; can't remember the exact time, but it was on time.