Our stay at The Brando really began on our flight to The Brando, a short but breathtaking flight on a Britten-Norman BN-2 Islander between Tahiti and Tetiaroa.
Air Tetiaroa Britten-Norman BN-2 Islander Review (PPT-TTI)
Round-trip tickets from Tahiti cost €500 each and will be booked on your behalf by The Brando and added to your room bill. You can also fly in from Bora Bora via charter or once-weekly service.
We arrived at the dedicated Air Tetiaroa terminal (also known as domestic terminal 2) about an hour before our departure and were graciously checked in by staff.
All of our bags was carefully weighed, including my laptop bag and my wife’s purse, but we were not weighed! Each passenger receives a total baggage allowance of 32 kg (about 70 pounds).
The security check was quick and we then relaxed in the lounge until a safety video was played about 10 minutes before boarding. The captain then introduced himself and invited us to board the aircraft.
As we stepped out of the lounge and onto the sultry tarmac, our hand baggage was collected…the only thing we were allowed to keep on our person was our phones.
Air Tetiaroa 23
Papeete (PPT) – Tetiaroa Atoll (TTI)
Thursday, March 21
Depart: 1:58 PM
Arrive: 2:18 PM
Duration: 0hr, 20min
Distance: 37 miles
Aircraft: BN-2
Seat: Row 2
Six passengers were onboard, including my wife and me, two other guests, and two employees (the aircraft seats eights). The captain flew solo: no first officer. There were no assigned seats and I had not thought much about seating, but was very thankful we boarded last because it meant we got to sit right behind the captain and enjoy prime views out the front window.
With the turboprop engines, it was quite loud and we were all given headsets to put on such that instructions could be clearly dispensed in case of an emergency.
It was warm onboard, but cooled of once we took off. Individual air vents, a reading light, a seat pocket, and safety card were available. Legroom was tight, but the views more than made up for it.
There was even no smoking and fasten seatbelt lights illuminated.
We pushed back and took off, gently gliding into the air (though it was loud).
It was a beautiful afternoon and almost immediately we could see Tetiaroa in the distance.
Time out. My German wife Heidi is a notoriously difficult woman to please. It takes a whole lot to impress her, but this flight made her smile. She was so mesmerized by the views…everyone onboard was:
Presently, we flew over the Tetiaroa Atoll and made a turn before landing on a small airstrip near the resort.
As we stepped off the aircraft, staff were waiting to greet us and our personal items were returned.
CONCLUSION
What a short but sweet flight–one of the most beautiful of my life. My entire stay at The Brando was beautiful, but the beauty began on this flight…a quintessential part of the journey.
As you’ll see in my return review, you want to get on the BN-2 if at all possible versus the DHC6-300 Twin Otter…the views onboard are better due to the lack of partition between the cockpit and cabin.
Sounds similar to my experience. For us, it got very windy all of a sudden and we had to wait out the pocket of wind passing by but the views from the air made it worth it.
I didn’t realize the Britten-Norman Islander was available with turbine power (BN-2T) Very cool.
I’m an idiot.
Okay…if you say so.
Very nice!!
Was Ricardo Montalbán and his assistant, Tattoo, waiting for you?
For those who were born in this century, it also seems like the new season of White Lotus.
Mother is on her way.
And about that upgrade?!
Lol.
@Ricardo, I was thinking the same thing!
The wife would not let you ride in the right seat up front, lol? Very nice shots of the approach – not sure that any pics from snorkeling could beat this, but that’s my av geek side speaking. Thanks for sharing on your anniversary trip.
Imagine how much more intense the moment would have been for your tough to impress German other half if you had played the song ” Hold me now” during the flight.