Are you going to Bora Bora from Los Angeles (LAX)?
YES? Then we have the perfect guide for you!
While there are NO DIRECT FLIGHTS to Bora Bora from LAX, reaching this island is still possible (but it will take 16 hours).
We highlight the 3 steps below. By the end, you’ll be a travel expert!
KEY TAKEAWAYS:
- Flights Available: There are no direct flights from Los Angeles (LAX) to Bora Bora. All flights require a layover in Papeete, Tahiti (PPT).
- Total Cost: The round-trip cost is €1,047 / $1,133 per person. This includes €675 / $731 for the LAX to Papeete segment and €372 / $402 for the domestic flight from Papeete to Bora Bora.
- Saving Money: Use frequent flyer miles and credit card points to lower the costs. Air France/KLM, American Airlines, and Air Tahiti Nui offer rewards programs.
Dreaming of a French Polynesian vacation?
Fill in our SHORT FORM, and we will match you with trusted local tour operators who can build a personalized itinerary based on your STYLE, BUDGET, and TRAVEL DATES.
Our local partners create every itinerary with care. We kindly ask that you submit a request only if you’re considering traveling.
Step 1: Fly from LAX to Papeete (ppt)
During step one, you will fly from LAX to Papeete, the capital of Tahiti.
By that point, you will be 5.150 (!) miles away from US mainland!
You’ll arrive at Faa’a International Airport (PPT), where all of the international flights to French Polynesia land.
Airlines offering direct flights to Papeete
FOUR main AIRLINES have direct flights from LAX to Papeete:
1) Air Tahiti Nui: Flights leave at 4:30 p.m. and arrive in Papeete at 9:40 p.m. on Tuesdays, Thursdays, Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays. A late-night flight departs at 11:55 p.m. and lands at 5:05 a.m.
BE PREPARED: the flight to Bora Bora from LAX will take around 8h15mins to reach Papeete and another 50 minutes from Papeete to Bora Bora.
INSIDER TIP: If you plan to fly with Air Tahiti Nui, you should join their free Club Tiare Frequent Flyer Program. Your can save up your points to upgrade to business class or give you extra free luggage (more on this below)!
2) United Airlines: multiple weekly flights with different schedules depending on the season.
3) French Bee: budget-friendly options with less luxury than traditional bigger airlines.
4) Hawaiian Airlines: flights include a short layover in Honolulu before continuing to Papeete. Hence, we do not recommend this option unless you really want the layover in Honolulu.
For the LOWEST PRICE, we recommend you book 3-4 months in advance for the cheapest flight time. You can read everything about cheap flight tickets here.
Round-trip tickets for ECONOMY CLASS start at around €675 / $731.
Simply fill in the form below to get a FREE QUOTE from trusted local travel specialists who know the islands inside out.
It only takes 60 seconds, and you’ll receive custom itineraries and pricing directly in your inbox or WhatsApp within
48 hours.
Free of charge. No pressure. No obligation.
*Our trusted local partners create every itinerary with care. We kindly ask that you submit a request only if you’re considering traveling.
Step 2: Take a domestic flight to Bora Bora
Once you arrive in Papeete, you must catch a domestic flight to Bora Bora’s main island.
Air Tahiti, the only airline that does inter-island flights in French Polynesia, operates these flights.
BE PREPARED FOR A SCENIC FLIGHT! As you can see in the video below, this is one of the most SCENIC FLIGHTS IN THE WORLD!
A review even says: “The descent into Bora Bora was the highlight due to the amazing view of overwater bungalows from the sky (minus the clouds)”.
Domestic flight details
Flights from Papeete to Bora Bora are only 50 minutes long, with views of the turquoise lagoon and volcanic peaks below from different Society islands.
There are several flights DAILY, so you don’t have to wait too long for your domestic flight, whatever time you arrive.
Bora Bora is one of the most popular destinations in the world. So, that’s why they foresee daily flights.
- Prices: Round-trip tickets cost €372 / $402. While this might seem high, it’s normal for this route because Air Tahiti is the only flight provider. You’ll discover that Bora Bora is not cheap (have you even seen the high prices for Bora Bora overwater Bungalows).
- INSIDER TIP: Secure your seat early, as these flights sell out quickly, especially during peak season (June to August).
Step 3: Arriving in Bora Bora and reaching your resort
Bora Bora’s airport is located on Motu Mute, a small islet northwest of the main island.
Once you land, you must take a BOAT (or helicopter) to reach your resort or the main island.
How to get to your hotel
Upon landing, you have two options:
- Hotel shuttle boats: Most luxury resorts offer free shuttle services directly from the airport. You can check with your hotel to confirm whether they have these shuttles.
- Public ferry: If your accommodation is on the main island, you can take a ferry to VAITAPE city center, Bora Bora’s main town. From there, taxis or hotel transfers can take you to your destination. A one-way trip will cost you €35 / $38 per person.
FINAL TIP: Give your resort your flight number so they know exactly when you land. That way, you do not have to stay waiting at the airport. Instead, you can immediately go in the boat or helicopter on your much-deserved vacation.
PS: look through the interactive widget below to discover the most luxurious overwater bungalows in the world!
Simply fill in the form below to get a FREE QUOTE from trusted local travel specialists who know the islands inside out.
It only takes 60 seconds, and you’ll receive custom itineraries and pricing directly in your inbox or WhatsApp within
48 hours.
Free of charge. No pressure. No obligation.
*Our trusted local partners create every itinerary with care. We kindly ask that you submit a request only if you’re considering traveling.
Planning Your Trip
When planning your trip to Bora Bora, there are some ways to get the BEST DEALS.
Determine your travel dates
Start by choosing your departure date and your return date.
Flights to Bora Bora from LAX vary in price depending on the season.
To find cheap flights, fly during off-season.
- Peak Season: June to August (higher prices and more tourists)
- Off-Season: November to March (lower prices, occasional rain showers)
If your dates are flexible, search for flights on weekdays. Leaving mid-week leads to cheaper options than Friday/weekend departures.
Research alternative airports
While it’s most normal to have flights to Bora Bora from LAX, you can also look into nearby airports like San Francisco International (SFO) or San Diego International (SAN).
Sometimes, flights leaving these airports have better prices.
Aviasales and monitor alerts
For up-to-date schedules and fare comparisons, use websites like Aviasales or Google Flights. It’s insane how much data these websites go through to offer you the best flight prices!
Aviasales allows you to compare prices across dates and airlines to pinpoint the cheapest flights to Bora Bora from LAX.
Nonstop Flights
One detail to remember when planning your trip to Bora Bora is that NONSTOP FLIGHTS from Los Angeles (LAX) are NOT AVAILABLE.
Since there are no direct flights to Bora Bora from LAX, all flights have at least one layover in Papeete, Tahiti (PPT).
The lack of direct flights means you should be prepared for at least two flights—one from Los Angeles to Papeete and a domestic flight from Papeete to Bora Bora.
So when you land in Papeete, you’ll switch to a domestic carrier, Air Tahiti, for the flight to Bora Bora’s Motu Mute Airport (BOB).
Total cost for flights to Bora Bora from LAX
For round-trip flights to Bora Bora from LAX, the cost looks like this (we have broken it up for you):
- LAX to Papeete (PPT): Prices are €675 / $731 for economy class (round trip).
- Papeete to Bora Bora: Around €372 / $402 for a round-trip on Air Tahiti.
So, the total cost for round-trip flights is €1,047 / $1,133 per person for the entire trip, not including extra luggage or seat selection fees.
Simply fill in the form below to get a FREE QUOTE from trusted local travel specialists who know the islands inside out.
It only takes 60 seconds, and you’ll receive custom itineraries and pricing directly in your inbox or WhatsApp within
48 hours.
Free of charge. No pressure. No obligation.
*Our trusted local partners create every itinerary with care. We kindly ask that you submit a request only if you’re considering traveling.
Miles and points: saving money on flights to Bora Bora from lax
Leverage your frequent flyer miles
One of the best ways to pay less for your flights to Bora Bora from LAX is by redeeming frequent flyer miles.
The miles programs of the major airlines are the ones that are most interesting. For example, Air France/KLM Flying Blue, American Airlines AAdvantage, or United MileagePlus.
Joining frequent flyer programs
If you haven’t already done so, we recommend you sign up for frequent flyer programs offered by airlines like Air Tahiti Nui’s Club Tiare or Flying Blue for Air France and KLM.
These free programs can earn you BONUS MILES on flights, upgrades, and special perks like lounge access.
PRO TIP: If you book directly your flights to Bora Bora from LAX through the airline’s website and use a travel rewards card, you can double dip on points: earn frequent flyer miles and get credit card points simultaneously!
You can visit this website for more information on miles and points programs.
Conclusion
Planning flights to Bora Bora from LAX involves a few steps since nonstop flights aren’t available.
You’ll first need to fly from Los Angeles intl to Papeete, the capital of Tahiti, and then take a domestic flight to Bora Bora’s Motu Mute Airport.
To reduce costs, take advantage of frequent flyer miles and credit card points with airlines like Air France, Air Tahiti Nui, and American Airlines.
Additionally, you can join membership programs like Flying Blue or Air Tahiti Nui’s Club Tiare for extra benefits like upgrades and bonus miles.
Let us know about your experience in the comments!
FAQ
How far is the flight from LAX to Bora Bora?
The flight distance from Los Angeles (LAX) to Bora Bora is 6,596 kilometres (4,100 miles). However, since direct flights are unavailable, you’ll first fly to Papeete, Tahiti, which is 6,625 kilometres (4,116 miles) and takes around 8 hours. From there, you’ll take a domestic flight to Bora Bora, which takes about 50 minutes to cover the remaining 252 kilometres (157 miles).
What airline goes from LAX to Tahiti?
Four airlines offer direct flights from Los Angeles (LAX) to Papeete, Tahiti (PPT), being:
- Air Tahiti Nui
- United Airlines
- Air France
- French Bee
Who flies from the US to Bora Bora?
You can fly from the US to Bora Bora using a combination of Air Tahiti Nui, United Airlines, or Air France from Los Angeles (LAX) to Papeete, Tahiti. From Papeete, Air Tahiti operates domestic flights to Bora Bora. All flights require at least one layover in Papeete, as direct flights to Bora Bora are unavailable.
How to get to Bora Bora fast from the US?
The fastest way to reach Bora Bora from the US is to fly directly from Los Angeles (LAX) to Papeete, Tahiti. Opt for Air Tahiti Nui or Air France for this route, which takes about 8 hours. From there, take a domestic flight with Air Tahiti to reach Bora Bora in approximately 50 minutes. Aim for short layovers and book early to speed up the process to secure the quickest connections.
