You can now fly directly to the South Pacific from the Pacific Northwest
The weather will soon be gray and drizzly in Seattle and the rest of the Pacific Northwest, which means it's the perfect time to escape on a warm-weather vacation. Air Tahiti Nui’s inaugural flight from Seattle to Tahiti on Wednesday morning brought with it visions of sunny weather, pristine beaches and romantic overwater bungalow resorts.
The French Polynesian flag carrier arrived at Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SEA) airport with a water cannon salute. While the staff was cleaning, refueling and readying the plane for its return trip to Tahiti, passengers and guests enjoyed a festive celebration. The event included a ribbon-cutting ceremony preceded by short speeches by officials from Seattle, Tahiti, the Port of Seattle and Air Tahiti Nui. After that, a thrilling Tahitian dance by a Polynesian performance group Nonosina Polynesia made it clear to the entire terminal that this was a special occasion.
Air Tahiti Nui will fly one of its four 787-9 Dreamliners, which the airline calls its “Tahitian Dreamliners,” twice weekly between SEA and Faaa International Airport (PPT) — which sits a few miles from Papeete on the island of Tahiti.
Related: A review of Air Tahiti Nui in premium economy
Flight TN51 will leave Seattle each Wednesday and Sunday at 12:40 p.m. and arrive in Tahiti at 7:10 p.m. Flight TN52 from Tahiti will depart for Seattle each Tuesday and Saturday at 10 p.m. and land at 10:25 a.m. the next day. All times are local. Scheduled travel time is nine hours and 35 minutes from Seattle to Papeete, and nine hours and 25 minutes from Papeete to Seattle.
During the gate-side ceremony, Lance Lyttle — the managing director of aviation for the Port of Seattle — noted that Seattle is Air Tahiti Nui’s second U.S. gateway after Los Angeles. It's also the airline’s fifth destination worldwide. “I know I speak for many Seattleites when I say I look forward to visiting some of the world’s most mythical destinations, such as Tahiti, Bora Bora and Moorea,” Lyttle said. He also noted that in addition to bringing a new service and a new direct route to the airport, the Air Tahiti Nui flight has a positive economic impact: “It brings lots of jobs to the region and to the city.”
Related: What it's like traveling to Tahiti right now
With Air Tahiti Nui’s Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner parked just outside the window, airline CEO Michel Monvoisin said he was honored to “bring this beautiful bird back to its hometown” and to be in Seattle to celebrate the inauguration of the Seattle-to-Tahiti route.
“It's a chance for North American travelers to discover the beauty of the ... islands of Tahiti, which serve as the background to the many wonders to discover, landscapes to explore and memories to create,” Monvoisin said.
Mathieu Béchonnet, president and managing director of Air Tahiti Nui, said the airline has been offering flights from Los Angeles to Tahiti and onward to Paris for many years. The airline had been searching for another gateway in North America.
He said Seattle not only offers the same time zone as Los Angeles, but it also has “a level of wealth compatible with (this) kind of a high-end destination.”
While Hawaii has been the traditional go-to island destination for Seattleites, Béchonnet says Tahiti is an entirely different experience. "The ... islands make it really a place where you will disconnect. I am not saying you can’t disconnect in Hawaii, but in Tahiti, in French Polynesia, you will feel yourself immersed in a paradise," he said.
The Tahitian Dreamliners and Air Tahiti Nui’s Alaska Airlines partnership
Air Tahiti Nui’s 787-9 Dreamliners have three cabins: Moana economy (232 seats in a 3-3-3 configuration), premium economy (32 seats in a 2-3-2 configuration) and business class (30 seats in a 2-2-2 arrangement). In each cabin, seats are upholstered in ocean blues, with brightly colored pillows and blankets adding to the tropical feel throughout.
To help set the Tahitian tone, passengers receive a tiare flower (a Tahitian gardenia) at boarding. That flower can also be seen on the tail of each of the airline’s Dreamliners.
The airline’s hard-to-miss livery includes three shades of blue inspired by the ocean, the lagoon and the skies over Tahiti; it also features a series of tattoo patterns representing a manta ray, an albatross, ocean waves, a fishhook and a Tiki eye.
Air Tahiti Nui and Alaska Airlines have a codeshare partnership, and the two airlines’ frequent flyer programs allow passengers to earn and redeem miles on all flights operated through the codeshare. Alaska Airlines’ customers can earn or use their Mileage Plan miles when traveling with Air Tahiti Nui. Similarly, Air Tahiti Nui’s customers are now able to use their Club Tiare miles in Alaska Airlines’ network.
Related: Which Bora Bora resort is right for you?
In addition to the Seattle-to-Tahiti flight, Air Tahiti Nui flies to Tahiti from Los Angeles. That direct route is also served by Air France and, starting in December 2022, Delta Air Lines, which will begin offering thrice-weekly flights.
If you are interested in booking this flight, there is widespread miles redemption availability... even in business class using Aadvantage or Alaska miles.
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| 3X | Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com. |
| 2X | Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com. |
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Why We Chose It
There’s a lot to love about the Amex Gold. It’s a fan favorite thanks to its fantastic bonus-earning rates at restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets. If you’re hitting the skies soon, you’ll also earn bonus Membership Rewards points on travel. Paired with up to $120 in Uber Cash annually (for U.S. Uber rides or Uber Eats orders, card must be added to Uber app and you can redeem with any Amex card), up to $120 in annual dining statement credits to be used with eligible partners, an up to $84 Dunkin’ credit each year at U.S. Dunkin Donuts and an up to $100 Resy credit annually, there’s no reason that foodies shouldn’t add the Amex Gold to their wallet. These benefits alone are worth more than $400, which offsets the $325 annual fee on the Amex Gold card. Enrollment is required for select benefits. (Partner offer)Pros
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Cons
- Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
- Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
- You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
- $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
- $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
- $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings, sweet or savory, with the $120 Dining Credit. Earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys. Enrollment required.
- Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges* with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. *Eligible charges vary by property.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Annual Fee is $325.
- Terms Apply.
Rewards Rate
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 3X | Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com. |
| 2X | Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com. |
| 1X | Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases. |
Intro Offer
You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after spending $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer.As High As 100,000 points. Find Out Your Offer.Annual Fee
$325Recommended Credit
Credit ranges are a variation of FICO® Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit card application.Excellent to Good
Why We Chose It
There’s a lot to love about the Amex Gold. It’s a fan favorite thanks to its fantastic bonus-earning rates at restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets. If you’re hitting the skies soon, you’ll also earn bonus Membership Rewards points on travel. Paired with up to $120 in Uber Cash annually (for U.S. Uber rides or Uber Eats orders, card must be added to Uber app and you can redeem with any Amex card), up to $120 in annual dining statement credits to be used with eligible partners, an up to $84 Dunkin’ credit each year at U.S. Dunkin Donuts and an up to $100 Resy credit annually, there’s no reason that foodies shouldn’t add the Amex Gold to their wallet. These benefits alone are worth more than $400, which offsets the $325 annual fee on the Amex Gold card. Enrollment is required for select benefits. (Partner offer)Pros
- 4 points per dollar spent on dining at restaurants worldwide and U.S. supermarkets (on the first $50,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter and $25,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter, respectively)
- 3 points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with the airline or with amextravel.com
- Packed with credits foodies will enjoy
- Solid welcome bonus
Cons
- Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
- Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
- You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
- $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
- $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
- $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings, sweet or savory, with the $120 Dining Credit. Earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys. Enrollment required.
- Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges* with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. *Eligible charges vary by property.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Annual Fee is $325.
- Terms Apply.