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Old Dec 13, 2017, 6:16 am
FlyerTalk Forums Expert How-Tos and Guides
Last edit by: WineCountryUA
Related thread inOceania (Australia, New Zealand & the South Pacific) forum
Any COVID updates for French Polynesia/Tahiti?
United Airlines Launches Inaugural Flight Between San Francisco and Tahiti, Announces it will Extend to Year-Round Service

United launches the only nonstop service to the Islands of Tahiti by a U.S. carrier from the mainland United States


SAN FRANCISCO, Oct. 30, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- United Airlines today started the only nonstop service by a U.S. carrier to the Islands of Tahiti. The airline launched its first flight between San Francisco and Pape'ete, the capital of Tahiti. As part of its inaugural celebration, United also announced it is extending its Tahiti schedule to year-round service from San Francisco.

"We are thrilled to extend this exciting flight to a year-round schedule," said Janet Lamkin. "For Californians and our customers connecting through San Francisco, this route offers an escape to a little corner of paradise."

United's newest international flight offers customers a convenient gateway to the islands of French Polynesia including Mo'orea, Bora Bora, the Marquesas and Rangiroa. Starting today, United's service to Tahiti departs San Francisco International Airport on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Sundays. Beginning March 30, 2019, United will begin year-round service on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays. United will operate the route with Boeing 787 Dreamliner aircraft throughout the year. Tickets are available for purchase on united.com.
Flight City Pair Depart Arrive
UA 115 San Francisco - Tahiti 2:45 p.m. 9:25 p.m.
UA 114 Tahiti - San Francisco 11:45 p.m. 9:50 a.m. next day

United and United Express operate more than 250 daily flights between San Francisco and 90 destinations throughout North America, Latin America, Asia, Europe and the Caribbean. From San Francisco, United will continue to operate nonstop seasonal summer service to Zurich in 2019 and recently announced it will be the only U.S. carrier to offer daily, year-round nonstop service to Amsterdam beginning March 30, 2019.

Originally Posted by JOSECONLSCREW28
It's SFO-PPT 788 starts October 30 2018.


United Airlines adds the South Pacific's Most Stunning Tropical Paradise to its Growing List of New Routes

Tahiti becomes the 13th international route announced by the airline in 2017
United's new nonstop flight from SFO to Tahiti connects customers to beautiful beaches, overwater bungalows, coral atolls and forested volcanoes

SAN FRANCISCO, Dec. 13, 2017 -- United Airlines (UAL), the leading carrier in the San Francisco Bay Area, today announced it will begin service between San Francisco and Pape'ete, the capital of Tahiti, the South Pacific's gateway to more than 118 islands in French Polynesia including Bora Bora, Moorea, the Marquesas and Raiatea. United is the only U.S. carrier offering nonstop service to Tahiti from the mainland United States. Tickets are now available for purchase.

"We are excited to announce Tahiti as our 13th new international route this year, and we are even more thrilled about offering our customers a whole new world of vacation opportunities," said Patrick Quayle, United's vice president of International Network. "We know our customers want more destinations to choose from to escape the winter weather, and we look forward to being the airline that connects them to this corner of paradise.

"United's service from San Francisco will connect customers to the South Pacific's most pristine waters, white sand beaches, stunning turquoise lagoons, coral atolls and volcanic mountain peaks. Visitors to the islands experience a tropical paradise and countless spaces to relax and reconnect in natural beauty and authentic French Polynesian island culture.

United will operate nonstop service, three times weekly with Boeing 787 Dreamliner aircraft between its San Francisco hub and Fa'a'ā International Airport (PPT), beginning Oct. 30, 2018, through March 28, 2019, subject to government approval.
Winter 2018 schedule – Subject to government approval
UA 115 SFO – PPT Tues/Thurs/Sun 2:45 p.m. - 9:25 p.m
UA 114 PPT – SFO Tues/Thurs/Sun 11:45 p.m. - 9:50 a.m. next day
*Flight Times Subject to Change

United's Long History Connecting Customers to the Pacific Islands
United's love affair with the Pacific islands started more than 70 years ago and continues today. It began in 1947 with United's first flight across the Pacific from San Francisco to Honolulu, making the Hawaiian Islands an easily accessible destination for tourism and business. Today, United offers more flights between the mainland and the Hawaiian Islands than any other U.S. carrier.

In 1968, United expanded its Pacific network linking the Hawaiian Islands, the Marshall Islands, Micronesia and Guam. Today, nearly half a century later, United's Island Hopper - Flight 155 - departs Guam in the morning and makes a series of five, one-hour flights to the islands of Chuuk, Pohnpei, Kosrae; Kwajalein and Majuro. In addition to the airline's popular Island Hopper service, United connects customers from Guam to other island destinations including Palau, Yap and the Philippines.

In 1986, United began nonstop service from its West Coast hubs in the U.S. to Sydney and Melbourne, Australia. Today, United is the largest U.S. carrier to serve Australia, offering the most seats to Sydney and Melbourne with its daily nonstop service from San Francisco and Los Angeles.Building its powerful Pacific network, last year United began nonstop service from San Francisco to Auckland, New Zealand, becoming the largest mainland U.S. carrier to serve the City of Sails.

United's San Francisco Hub
United and United Express operate more than 250 daily flights between San Francisco and 90 destinations throughout North America, Latin America, Asia, Europe and the Caribbean. Beginning in June 2018, United will start nonstop seasonal summer service between San Francisco and Zurich.
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Old Oct 29, 2018, 1:34 pm
  #196  
 
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Given the seasonality for Tahiti travel, anyone care to speculate if UA received subsidies for this route?
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Old Oct 29, 2018, 1:45 pm
  #197  
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Originally Posted by 764toHI
Given the seasonality for Tahiti travel, anyone care to speculate if UA received subsidies for this route?
I can't imagine why. The US has no particular interest in French Polynesia, they're well-served by their own airlines, and I know of no major corporations that would benefit.
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Old Oct 29, 2018, 6:53 pm
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Originally Posted by milepig
I can't imagine why. The US has no particular interest in French Polynesia, they're well-served by their own airlines, and I know of no major corporations that would benefit.
For anyone SFO to PPT fortunate enough to fly Polaris, could you also please comment on whether there is a departure lounge available in PPT?
Star Alliance's website points to one in PPT, but details are very sparse. The only information I can find on any lounge is the one shared by ATN & AirFrance, but don't know if the Star Alliance website is pointing to the same one.
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Old Oct 29, 2018, 7:55 pm
  #199  
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Originally Posted by 764toHI
Given the seasonality for Tahiti travel, anyone care to speculate if UA received subsidies for this route?
I’ll happily speculate that they didn’t.

In my opinion, this route exists because French Bee introduced CDG-SFO-PPT travel, and UA isn’t all that happy about having LCC competition on the CDG-SFO sector. If French Bee drops this route, UA will follow.
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Old Oct 29, 2018, 8:19 pm
  #200  
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Originally Posted by ronin
For anyone SFO to PPT fortunate enough to fly Polaris, could you also please comment on whether there is a departure lounge available in PPT?
Star Alliance's website points to one in PPT, but details are very sparse. The only information I can find on any lounge is the one shared by ATN & AirFrance, but don't know if the Star Alliance website is pointing to the same one.
The lounge remains a mystery. I’m sure there is some arrangement, but UA is typically silent on such details at this point. It should be not just Polaris but all *gold regardless of class flown.

Last edited by milepig; Oct 29, 2018 at 8:35 pm
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Old Oct 29, 2018, 9:29 pm
  #201  
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Originally Posted by milepig
It should be not just Polaris but all *gold regardless of class flown.
Well it will be a contract lounge, so access will depend on the contractual arrangement.
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Old Oct 29, 2018, 11:56 pm
  #202  
 
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Originally Posted by Kacee
Well it will be a contract lounge, so access will depend on the contractual arrangement.
There is only one lounge at PPT - the Air Tahiti Nui Lounge, so it will be that offered or bust. You can access that lounge with Priority Pass, and it’s on the nicer side.

UA doesn’t offer lounges in all locations — PVR and CUN were a recent example for me — no UA lounge access provided in Business, reliant on priority pass. Hope that’s not the case here...
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Old Oct 30, 2018, 8:02 am
  #203  
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Originally Posted by greenpau


There is only one lounge at PPT - the Air Tahiti Nui Lounge, so it will be that offered or bust. You can access that lounge with Priority Pass, and it’s on the nicer side.

UA doesn’t offer lounges in all locations — PVR and CUN were a recent example for me — no UA lounge access provided in Business, reliant on priority pass. Hope that’s not the case here...
We have traveled to PPT via Air Tahiti Nui Business (AA miles) LAX-PPT PPT-LAX 3 years in a row.

The Air Tahiti Nui Lounge is a welcome respite from the crowded general waiting area downstairs. There is a stairs in the far back right (if I remember correctly) based upon your entry to the secured area. This takes you upstairs and gives access to an air conditioned (so welcome!) lounge with hors d'oeuvres, juices, fruits, sandwiches, etc etc. That is the only option that is there.
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Old Oct 30, 2018, 8:47 am
  #204  
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Originally Posted by greenpau

UA doesn’t offer lounges in all locations — PVR and CUN were a recent example for me — no UA lounge access provided in Business, reliant on priority pass. Hope that’s not the case here...
We were also caught by surprise at CUN. But, I think of PVR, CUN and other Central American destinations as sort of INTL light. Domestic service, etc. Are there any true long-haul UA destinations that don't offer some sort of Lounge access? I can't immediately think of any.
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Old Oct 30, 2018, 9:00 am
  #205  
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Today's flight is showing as arriving at SFO from KIX. Outbound to PPT is showing full in J, only a couple open seats in E+ and a few in E. There are 14 people on the standby list.
Not surprisingly, the return is much lighter, with only a few occupied seats in J (also showing 12 blocked). One wonders how those people got to PPT, not on UA. Maybe they're French Polynesians going to the US. Maybe a few UA execs doing the quick turn?
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Old Oct 30, 2018, 5:52 pm
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United Airlines Launches Inaugural Flight Between San Francisco and Tahiti, Announces it will Extend to Year-Round Service

United launches the only nonstop service to the Islands of Tahiti by a U.S. carrier from the mainland United States


SAN FRANCISCO, Oct. 30, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- United Airlines today started the only nonstop service by a U.S. carrier to the Islands of Tahiti. The airline launched its first flight between San Francisco and Pape'ete, the capital of Tahiti. As part of its inaugural celebration, United also announced it is extending its Tahiti schedule to year-round service from San Francisco.

"We are thrilled to extend this exciting flight to a year-round schedule," said Janet Lamkin. "For Californians and our customers connecting through San Francisco, this route offers an escape to a little corner of paradise."

United's newest international flight offers customers a convenient gateway to the islands of French Polynesia including Mo'orea, Bora Bora, the Marquesas and Rangiroa. Starting today, United's service to Tahiti departs San Francisco International Airport on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Sundays. Beginning March 30, 2019, United will begin year-round service on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays. United will operate the route with Boeing 787 Dreamliner aircraft throughout the year. Tickets are available for purchase on united.com.
Flight City Pair Depart Arrive
UA 115 San Francisco - Tahiti 2:45 p.m. 9:25 p.m.
UA 114 Tahiti - San Francisco 11:45 p.m. 9:50 a.m. next day

United and United Express operate more than 250 daily flights between San Francisco and 90 destinations throughout North America, Latin America, Asia, Europe and the Caribbean. From San Francisco, United will continue to operate nonstop seasonal summer service to Zurich in 2019 and recently announced it will be the only U.S. carrier to offer daily, year-round nonstop service to Amsterdam beginning March 30, 2019.
Apparently UA is more positive about this route than some have speculated
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Old Oct 30, 2018, 5:57 pm
  #207  
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Originally Posted by WineCountryUA
Apparently UA is more positive about this route than some have speculated
I still think that if they can capture the cruise market they’ll do fine. Windstar, for one, has a ship down there year round as is doing fine.

Last edited by milepig; Oct 30, 2018 at 7:08 pm
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Old Oct 30, 2018, 6:00 pm
  #208  
 
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So UA's inaugural flight to PPT and they already announce that it's here to stay. Year round service. Wow, I am impressed. Wish they would come
down with pricing. Hard to imagine that they will have a full cabin upfront on every flight to a beach destination. They couldn't do anything with BKK
where I would expect more commercial traffic I wish them luck..
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Old Oct 30, 2018, 6:17 pm
  #209  
 
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Originally Posted by WineCountryUA
Apparently UA is more positive about this route than some have speculated
The flight appears to shift a few hours earlier in the summer, but still not early enough for the last flights to BOB or the Moorea ferries. Still an oddly-timed flight.
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Old Oct 30, 2018, 6:42 pm
  #210  
 
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Originally Posted by EWR764
The flight appears to shift a few hours earlier in the summer, but still not early enough for the last flights to BOB or the Moorea ferries. Still an oddly-timed flight.
Is the flight timed so as to make a better connection for folks coming back to SFO? (I have no idea, just speculating). Either way, I am stoked to see this go year-round...hope it can stick. I would have to imagine that prices should be decent, as if you can spend money on the hotels at Bora Bora, you're probably not doing too shabby for yourself...
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