An Exciting Journey to Bangkok via Paris: Business Class Experience with Aircalin

Starting a Special Journey

I embarked on an exhilarating flight from Paris to Bangkok aboard Aircalin, the largest airline in New Caledonia. This journey lasted 11 hours and 5 minutes, and I was eagerly looking forward to experiencing the airline's Business Class service, known as Business Hibiscus.

For quite some time, I had wanted to fly with Aircalin, as it is the official airline of New Caledonia, a French overseas territory. Notably, Aircalin operates a route from Noumea to Paris with a stopover in Bangkok. While it may not be a fifth freedom flight, this route is still quite intriguing.

Booking and Costs

For this trip, I used my Air France-KLM Flying Blue miles to book my ticket. In total, I redeemed 105,500 miles plus $474.40 for taxes and fees.

I admit that this price is quite high, but since I had long wanted to experience Aircalin's Business Class, I couldn't resist. Additionally, I earned these miles through a transfer promotion, which alleviated some of the financial burden.

Terminal and Boarding Process

I departed from gate A45, with boarding originally scheduled for 8:10 PM, but it was delayed by about 25 minutes due to “cabin preparation.” Ultimately, boarding began at 8:35 PM, with Business Class passengers invited to board first.

Business Class Cabin on the A330neo

Upon boarding, I entered through the second door and was greeted by friendly flight attendants who guided me to the Business Class cabin. The airline features a total of 26 Business Class seats arranged in a 1-2-1 configuration.

These seats are designed on the Stelia Opal platform, with a reasonably well-thought-out layout. However, the narrower space of the A330 fuselage made everything feel a bit cramped compared to some larger aircraft.

Seat Selection

If you're traveling with someone, you might consider the “honeymoon” seats in the middle, as they are closer together and away from the aisle. Moreover, if you sit next to a stranger, there is a privacy divider that can be raised for added seclusion.

Conversely, the middle seats in each row are the least desirable due to limited privacy and proximity to the aisle. I chose seat 7A, a window seat located at the back of the Business Class section. This seat provided a comfortable experience with minimal disturbances.

Amenities and Service

The seat is equipped with a side panel featuring storage space, reading lights, and entertainment controls. However, I found the control panel a bit annoying as my elbow often accidentally brushed against the buttons.

AC and USB-A charging ports are located below, although there are no wireless charging options or USB-C ports, which made access somewhat challenging. The dining table extends from beneath the entertainment screen and is easily adjustable, making it convenient during meals.

In-Flight Entertainment

The in-flight entertainment system offers a 15.6-inch screen with on-demand programming. I found the picture quality to be very good and user-friendly, but the selection of content was somewhat limited.

There are a total of 63 movies and 25 TV shows, along with some music and games, but overall, the options were quite restricted, especially when compared to other major airlines.

Final Impressions

Overall, Aircalin provides a decent product for the routes they operate. While it may not be the most modern service, I was still delighted to have the opportunity to experience this airline. If I have the chance to return to New Caledonia, I wouldn’t hesitate to fly with them again, though I don’t feel an immediate need to seek out this experience again.