Trip Reports

Category Archives for Trip Reports.

On to Bora Bora

by Gary Leff

bora bora
Jun 18 2005

Wednesday, June 1 11:10 am Depart Papeete Intl Tahiti Faaa Air Tahiti Flight 452 Egads, we were about 45 minutes ahead of my planned schedule. After a 5 minute cab ride (1500 CFP) I went to check in. There are 2 domestic terminals at Faaa and 1 international. Entering the airport, the first terminal is for Air Moorea, then the international terminal, followed by Air Tahiti (VT). Several shops, an upstairs restaurant, downstairs shops, Bance Socredo, McDonald’s, and business center. Checkin requires you to first screen all bags, which then receive a tag. You take them over to checkin yourself after that (at least at LAX at the TBIT the bags are taken to checkin with you and you aren’t allowed to touch them after screening, couldn’t you put something dangerous in after receiving the…

Continue Reading »

Best and Worst Burger

by Gary Leff

burger
Apr 13 2005

One of the worst cheeseburgers I ever ate was onboard a United Airlines flight to San Francisco when it made me sick. For awhile in 2001 that became the standard lunch offering on first class transcontinental flights. Occasionally it was edible, but flight attendants had a hard time preparing it and more often than not the bun was served rock hard. It was supposed to be a ‘gourmet’ burger but it just wasn’t. I’ve long grilled my own burgers with a pat of butter inside the patty. It keeps the burger moist and juicy even if I overcook the meat. But Tyler Cowen offers an idea that I hadn’t thought of myself: stuff it with blue cheese as well. Yum! As for me, I’d add some mushrooms and grilled onions and that might be the…

Continue Reading »

Some notes from recent travels

by Gary Leff

alaska airlines
Feb 23 2005

I flew a couple transcon flights on Alaska Airlines. The first, a breakfast flight, was very disappointing. The first class flight attendant spent the majority of the flight in the galley reading. She had a sour demeanor, and made requests unpleasant. Breakfast was sparse. The return flight was a different story entirely, a much more pleasant crew and a filling lunch. Still, the pitch is tight on Alaska’s first class product and the seats are old and visibly worn. Security lines were long at both Reagan National and Seattle. Not surprising, it was a holiday weekend. The first class/elite lines in Seattle make a huge difference. It’s a shame that National doesn’t offer this (and neither, unfortunately, does Dulles). Seattle is the original home of shoe removal. It’s commonplace nowadays, but it seemed to start…

Continue Reading »

Air Tahiti Nui Special from Los Angeles to Tahiti and Paris

by Gary Leff

air tahiti
Jan 07 2005

Only good on a few dates and flights, but nice values nevertheless: Hot Winter Specials – 2 Romantic DestinationsJust in time for a Valentine’s Day Getaway!!Take your Sweetie to Tahiti or go to France for Romance! TahitiMoana Economy $395 per person, plus tax Poerava Business $2000 per person, plus taxParis (CDG)Moana Economy $498 per Couple, plus taxPoerava Business $3400 per Couple, plus tax*** Tahiti Instant Purchase Special ***$395 (plus taxes) per person – Moana Economy Class $2000 (plus taxes) per person – Poerava Business ClassValid only by combining the following designated flights:Southbound – Los Angeles to Papeete, TahitiFlight # TN1: January 23, 30, February 3, 6, 13, 24 & 25.Flight # TN301: February 22. Northbound – Papeete, Tahiti to Los AngelesFlight # TN2: January 31, February 7, 9, 14, 16, & 28.Flight # TN302: February…

Continue Reading »