We flew to Tahiti from LA on Thanksgiving 2019. We got a relatively good fare from San Jose to PPT via LAX — actually a Delta fare, with Air France as the carrier from LAX to PPT.
This configuration is 10-abreast seating, narrower than the 9-abreast layouts. However, we paid extra to book the first two-seater toward the back of the plane. That gave us a little more privacy and made the journey more enjoyable.
The flight time was such that we only had to pray one prayer on the 8½-hour journey (the pre-dawn, fajr prayer). The restroom at the back of the plane was OK. The navigation had no indication of prayer times, and I think it also didn’t have a camera (sorry, I can’t remember — if any reader can confirm, please post in the comments). I asked the steward and prayed in the galley area forward of the rearmost cabin. (Strangely and luckily, the same steward was there on both our to/from flights!)
The food was OK, and there was a vegetarian selection. We didn’t order a halal selection, though we could have.
Overall: an okay experience — I suppose the destination (Tahiti/Bora Bora) makes it easier to bear — but a couple of steps below, say, Turkish or Emirates in overall comfort. Just not in Muslim-friendliness, where it held its own. We got a spectacular view of Tahiti (Papeete airport) on landing.
Originally posted on the old ReviewSity, May 2020