Originally Posted by number_6

Delayed bags is always a risk on these milk run flights as pax and priority cargo are loaded first and bags only if weight permits. Not unique to Polynesia but perhaps more common as there are few alternative delivery means for priority cargo. You do need to plan accordingly. I was stranded for 3 days once in Pago Pago due to CO DC-10 having mechanical and it took that long to get a replacement plane and crew there. And that's a major airline with big resources. This is adventure travel, don't go if you have a tight schedule.

Originally Posted by CPMaverick

Yes, I did. It was a fantastic trip! It is a little risky to count on inter-island travel schedules in this part of the world. I was lucky that everything in my itinerary was pretty much on schedule. It is smart to build some wiggle room into your schedule if you can. I wouldn't plan on flying HNL- PPG the day after you arrive in PPG for example. I'd give yourself at least 2 nights in PPG.

The HNL-PPG flight was a full red-eye on a very very old 767, so not much to write home about. But, the ability to see Samoa and American Samoa on my way to HNL was worth every hassle.

There are several flights a day FGI-PPG on two airlines. I took Talofa, which is the smaller airline, and the operations left a lot to be desired... but that's kind of how it is in the Pacific ("Island Time"). I got my luggage and we were only delayed about 90 minutes, it was fine. I don't know how booked these flights tend to be, but it certainly seems like there are some options if a flight gets delayed or canceled, or luggage is delayed. Of course, if there are weather problems, there might be no flights for a long period of time.