I've just read thru all my documents and thought I would post the itinerary for the direct flights from JFK, for anyone who is interested. The flight leaves JFK at 5:15 pm on Friday afternoon and arrives at 11:55 pm in Papeete. We are then transfered to the Radisson Plaza for the night. The next day, we transfer to the ship.
The return flight leaves Saturday night, after having a day room at the Radisson Plaza and we arrive in New York at 2:30 pm on Sunday.
Since we couldn't afford a pre-stay, this works out very well for us. Just to clarify, this is using Regent's air.
If anyone has any more questions, let me know and I will try and answer.
Thanks,
Jill

We just took those flights for our cruise last week, and the service was great. Although the food seemed a lot better on the way there, as you are spoiled on the PG!

Our flight was a little late getting into PPT, and they only have 2 people processing customs for non-EU folks, so try to get to the front of the line once you get off in PPT. There also seemed to be a bit of confusion (and short delay) in the transfer to the Raddison, but things worked out fine. It was nearly 2am before getting into the hotel room, as it's about a 20-30 minute drive from the airport.

On the return flight, we arrived at JFK an hour or so late, and again clearing customs takes a bit, so leave plenty of time for any connecting flight (you won't be concerned about this, but others may be connecting). We booked the 7pm back to DC from JFK, and just missed the 4:30, so we're glad we booked the later flight. Also, be aware that the return flight leaves from PPT at 21:05 (or 21:15), but the transfer from the hotel leaves at 17:50, so you only have 3 hours at most in the room / around the pool at the Raddison. There's not much in the way of food at the airport in PPT once you get through security, so bring some or be prepared to buy some candy bars in Duty Free!

All in all, for $899 a person, I was very happy with the flight, transfers, etc. The Raddison is a great hotel with a nice beach and sweet pool, and this package (while not a true pre-post stay) was just enough so that we were able to enjoy Sat. night and Sunday on the PG without having just arrived before boarding.

-Kevin

Kevin,
Thanks so much for the details. It's been so hard finding info on this flight. How full were the planes? I'm hoping we can stretch out a little in coach.

Jill

I've noticed that the food always seems better on the way over with ATN. I have speculated that that's because the island of Tahiti just can't provide decent plane catering.

I felt the food was great on the way over, as you rarely get even pretzels anymore on domestic flights, and of course the free wine and beer make it a treat.

As for the way back, after eating like kings on the PG (honestly, I felt like I was in a top Wash D.C. restaurant every meal but even better because the portions were smaller and you didn't feel stuffed, just full), the food on the plane was not as good. Also, you're just sad to be leaving!

The flight out was really light, so almost everyone was able to move to seats on their own (it's a 2-4-2 seating, and more than half of the 4s had only one person in them). The return flight was more full (maybe 75 - 85%), and they made multiple announcements to not move until reaching altitude and the seatbelt sign went off (for balance and safety reasons), but most people didn't wait.

I would say to check your seatbelt and footrest when you first get on, as the first 2 seats that I tried (my assigned and first alternate) had the seatbelt installed upside down, so it had to either be twisted or have the release buckle digging into you, and one of the footrests wouldn't go up. At least there were enough empty seats to find one that worked.

5 or 6 movies going each way, and it looks like the same movies for a 3 month period (current period is April, May, June) Going out was Memoirs of a Geisha, Fun with Dick and Jane, Snow White and the 7 Dwarves, etc. Coming back was Pride and Prejudice, Aeon Flux, The Man, etc.

Also trivia you can play against others on the plane (and chess I think), backgammon, tetris, etc.

Going out doesn't sound too bad. Food, plenty of entertainment and room to stretch. That's the flight I'm most concerned about, since I want to wait to sleep at the hotel. Going home, I'm planning on sleeping more, to try and get back on EST. I have my Ambien prescription filled already.

I jsut hope the flight passes quickly. This is the only part of the trip I am just not looking forward to. My husbnad would like to try ot sleep most of the tme. I don't usually sleep much on flights. I like to keep occupied.

I don't sleep well on flights either, but I must admit the wine helped! I probably was out for 1 1/2 to 2 of the 12 1/2 out there, and got a bit more sleep on the flight home.