Air Tahiti Nui and Paris’ CDG

Early in 2013, my wife, Josie, and I used our American Airlines mileage to book round-trip coach-class tickets to Paris for the last two weeks of September. As American Airlines did not have any seats available, we were booked from Portland to Los Angeles on Alaska Airlines and then to Paris nonstop on Air Tahiti Nui (USA office in El Segundo, CA; 877/824-4846). We had never heard of the airline, but off we went.

The personnel, both on land and in the air, were pleasant and helpful. Nine-inch tables in the seatbacks provided games, movies, TV, meal menus, continuous flight data and a map. Aside from meals, there were always snacks, sandwiches and beverages in the galley. We were pleased with the flight.

Having written in the past that Paris’ Charles de Gaulle International is our least favorite airport (“CDG Musical Chairs,” Dec. ’07, pg. 86), we feel that an update is warranted.

CDG Terminal 2 has been getting a major face-lift. There is a new security area on the lower level and new duty-free shops upstairs, along with completely redone waiting areas with several places to grab snacks. There seems to be more seating available too. The ticketing area was still a nightmare, but, once past check-in, it got better.

DON KINSER

Hillsboro, OR