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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 Dec 22, 2019, 7:33 am
  #331  
 
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Originally Posted by bsdstone
I'm not...I'm trying to get a feel for when/if that availability ever happens.

I'd say there's almost a 0% chance of predicting with any reliability that far into the future as far as award tickets on UA are concerned.
Some possibilities:

- dynamic award travel requires 500'000 miles O/W in E by then
- UA doesn't fly the route any longer
- UA doesn't exist anymore
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Old Dec 22, 2019, 7:53 am
  #332  
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Originally Posted by narvik
I'd say there's almost a 0% chance of predicting with any reliability that far into the future as far as award tickets on UA are concerned.
Some possibilities:

- dynamic award travel requires 500'000 miles O/W in E by then
- UA doesn't fly the route any longer
- UA doesn't exist anymore
I’m actually willing to predict that the odds of scoring two saver J awards is extremely low, approaching zero. It’s not like availability is getting any better over time
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Old Dec 23, 2019, 12:46 am
  #333  
 
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Originally Posted by narvik
I'd say there's almost a 0% chance of predicting with any reliability that far into the future as far as award tickets on UA are concerned.
Some possibilities:

- dynamic award travel requires 500'000 miles O/W in E by then
- UA doesn't fly the route any longer
- UA doesn't exist anymore
I've been watching this route for some time (maybe a year) and have never seen ANY saver awards available in J, even a day or two before the scheduled flights when J has been wide open. Concluded that if I want to go down there on an award that I would take the UG chance or take a Y saver along with a good seat as it's just 7.5 to 8 hours. Other option is to take pay and take the UG chance. Seems to be fairly regular availability.
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Old Dec 23, 2019, 2:40 am
  #334  
 
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Originally Posted by Buzzman
I've been watching this route for some time (maybe a year) and have never seen ANY saver awards available in J, even a day or two before the scheduled flights when J has been wide open. Concluded that if I want to go down there on an award that I would take the UG chance or take a Y saver along with a good seat as it's just 7.5 to 8 hours. Other option is to take pay and take the UG chance. Seems to be fairly regular availability.
There is currently business saver availability on May 12...but that's only in the IN fare class. Best chance on this route is to attain elite status to have access to IN class. Even then, it's limited. But I've not yet seen regular business saver.
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Old Dec 23, 2019, 8:52 am
  #335  
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Originally Posted by Buzzman
Other option is to take pay and take the UG chance. Seems to be fairly regular availability.
Or book saver Y and waitlist for J. That will get you on the upgrade standby list at the gate.
Originally Posted by rdh0924
There is currently business saver availability on May 12...but that's only in the IN fare class. Best chance on this route is to attain elite status to have access to IN class. Even then, it's limited. But I've not yet seen regular business saver.
IN is only for Plat and higher. Even then, it's not like IN is regularly available. Still basically a unicorn.
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Old Dec 23, 2019, 10:25 am
  #336  
 
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Originally Posted by bsdstone
I've started the very early hunt for business saver awards for October 2021. Just hunting through availability, it looks scarce to non existent for business saver from SFO to PPT...any advice on best way to look and hunt to make sure I don't miss it if it becomes available? Or is the best strategy to buy an upgradeable fare and use miles after purchase?
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Old Dec 28, 2019, 8:24 am
  #337  
 
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Originally Posted by Kacee
Or book saver Y and waitlist for J. That will get you on the upgrade standby list at the gate.

IN is only for Plat and higher. Even then, it's not like IN is regularly available. Still basically a unicorn.
I should have said "high enough elite status." With that said, I've seen a LOT of availability in IN class when looking 300-330 days out. Certain months have more or less availability. For a while basically the entire month of April had IN class seats open on all three weekly flights both directions.
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Old Dec 29, 2019, 12:27 pm
  #338  
 
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Premium Plus to PPT?

Will be flying in October 2020 SFO-PPT and return. Was considering purchasing Economy along with a wait-listed MUA upgrade($$ and miles) to Business(however with no current United status, assume the chances of coming off that wait-list are slim to none, even though they are willing to take my money and miles now!). Would love to buy or bid up to PP if the chances of getting seated there are better. Any thoughts on the probability that the 788 on that route in October will be a refurbed one with Polaris/PP? Or the chances that my MUA to Business would go through?
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Old Dec 29, 2019, 3:29 pm
  #339  
 
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SFO-PPT looks to be upgaugued from a 788 to 789 starting March 2020.
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Old Dec 29, 2019, 3:47 pm
  #340  
 
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Originally Posted by mck9235
SFO-PPT looks to be upgaugued from a 788 to 789 starting March 2020.
Yes, seat maps are 789 throughout the Summer and then go back to 788 seat maps in late October??
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Old Jan 19, 2020, 5:59 am
  #341  
 
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Premium Plus

I see E+ on the seat maps for both the 787 8&9, but no Premium Plus. Are there plans to add Premium Plus to this route?
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Old Jan 19, 2020, 6:42 am
  #342  
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Originally Posted by Dbld777
Yes, seat maps are 789 throughout the Summer and then go back to 788 seat maps in late October??
That's a big enhancement for upgrades.

Originally Posted by Cayman09
I see E+ on the seat maps for both the 787 8&9, but no Premium Plus. Are there plans to add Premium Plus to this route?
It will be added when sufficient aircraft have the Premium Plus cabin.
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Old Aug 13, 2020, 12:23 pm
  #343  
 
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Is PPT open for business currently? I thought I read with a negative test, they are.
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Old Aug 13, 2020, 12:32 pm
  #344  
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Originally Posted by Hawkeyefan
Is PPT open for business currently? I thought I read with a negative test, they are.
Negative test within 72 hours of departure, see Any COVID updates for French Polynesia/Tahiti? for a more in-depth discussion
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Old Aug 13, 2020, 1:13 pm
  #345  
 
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My family is booked on this flight next week and figured I can share a little information on this thread for other United travelers as this is a route we've been wanting to fly for a long time. The required test is specifically a negative RT-PCR test, which from my understanding is a more robust test than is typically given at most testing centers. On the official Tahiti tourism link, there is only a single clinic listed, it's in LA and called Good Life Medical Services with a drive up location in West Hollywood and a new one in Orange County. The Air Tahiti Nui website also only suggests the same clinic. Without using our health insurance and for expedited 24 hour results, the cost is $300 per person and it should be noted that we were told the lab they process in, is closed on Sundays. It's necessary to reserve the day but can show up any time that day to the drive up clinic. So my family and I are flying to SoCal this upcoming weekend to get tested there. It's all a total hassle but hopefully the PP upgrades clear to make it worthwhile to PPT and it looks like they should. Once we get the test results back then we'll start to book lodging and everything just days before the trip but seems like everything is wide open generally, although hotels are maintaining pricing power from what I can tell with high rates.
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Last edited by hawkswin; Aug 13, 2020 at 2:18 pm
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