French Polynesia is one of the toughest awards in the world to book. In part that’s because there are only four flights between the U.S. mainland and Tahiti, and because three of those aren’t even operated more than 3 times a week.

It’s a desirable destination, perhaps one of the most naturally beautiful in the world. I’m a terrible photographer, using an older phone, but my photos come out remarkably well there. In fact I’m just back from a stay at the Conrad Bora Bora Nui over Thanksgiving.

Business class awards are especially tough. When award space opens up on Air Tahiti Nui (daily from Los Angeles) or Air France (3 times weekly from Los Angeles) it’s worth jumping on. And right now, all of a sudden, there’s amazing business class award space on Air Tahiti Nui.

Searching the American Airlines website award calendar I’m seeing 2 business class award seats available about half the time between now and end of schedule.

Air Tahiti Nui Boeing 787 business class features lie flat Diamond seats, similar to what you find in United’s old business class, and American’s Boeing 757s and Airbus A321T business class. It’s an outdated product for international flying, but makes sense for:

• A flight that’s just 8 hours
  
• Where most people are on holiday (leisure pricing)
  
• And traveling together, so 2-2-2 makes more sense than solo seats

In any case it’s much improved over Air Tahiti Nui’s old recliner seats in business. I find service, food, and amenity kits on the carrier to be above average for business class.

American AAdvantage charges 80,000 miles each way for business class between the U.S. and Tahiti. AA.com often won’t confirm or ticket Air Tahiti Nui – find the available space online and then call to book.

In theory you should be able to use Delta SkyMiles or Air France KLM Flying Blue miles to book Air Tahiti Nui. I don’t see the space on either carrier’s website. The last time I booked through Delta it was 115,000 miles one way for business class.

(HT: u/benjinito)