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Air Tahiti Inter-Island Flights
& Multi-Island Pass —
Complete Guide 2026
Two airlines operate inter-island flights in French Polynesia: Air Tahiti, the historic carrier serving 48 islands across all archipelagos, and Air Moana, the new entrant covering 9 main islands at generally lower fares. The choice between the two depends first on your itinerary — some islands are only served by Air Tahiti. This guide covers the networks, flight durations, fares, the Air Tahiti multi-island pass, and gives you a concrete itinerary simulation to help you decide.
Air Tahiti vs Air Moana — network & island coverage
The first question before comparing fares: does Air Moana serve the islands on your itinerary? If not, the choice is made for you.
Air Tahiti's network — 48 islands served across all archipelagos of French Polynesia, from Tahiti to the Marquesas
| Airline | Islands served | Archipelagos | Book at |
|---|---|---|---|
| Air Tahiti | 48 islands | Society, Tuamotu, Marquesas, Australs, Gambier — complete coverage | airtahiti.com |
| Air Moana | 9 main islands | Tahiti, Moorea, Huahine, Raiatea, Bora Bora, Rangiroa, Fakarava, Tikehau, Nuku Hiva | airmoana.com |
If your itinerary includes only the 9 islands served by Air Moana — check Air Moana first, it is usually cheaper. If you need Maupiti, the Tuamotu (beyond Rangiroa/Fakarava/Tikehau), the Australs, the Gambier, or any of the smaller Marquesas islands, Air Tahiti is your only option for those legs.
Air Tahiti inter-island flight durations — all main routes
All inter-island flights in French Polynesia depart from Papeete (PPT). Flights are short — the longest routes (Marquesas, Gambier) are under 4 hours. Most Society Islands flights are under 50 minutes. Planes often operate like buses, making loops with multiple stops — you cannot disembark at a stopover not on your ticket.
| Route | Duration | Airline | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Papeete → Moorea | ~8 min | Air Tahiti / Air Moana | Ferry much more practical (30 min, $13) |
| Papeete → Huahine | ~40 min | Air Tahiti / Air Moana | Direct |
| Papeete → Raiatea | ~45 min | Air Tahiti / Air Moana | Direct |
| Papeete → Bora Bora | ~50 min | Air Tahiti / Air Moana | Direct or via Raiatea |
| Papeete → Maupiti | ~1h | Air Tahiti only | 2-3 flights/week |
| Papeete → Rangiroa | ~1h | Air Tahiti / Air Moana | Direct |
| Papeete → Fakarava | ~1h10 | Air Tahiti / Air Moana | Direct or via Rangiroa |
| Papeete → Tikehau | ~1h10 | Air Tahiti / Air Moana | Direct |
| Papeete → Nuku Hiva (Marquesas) | ~3h30 | Air Tahiti / Air Moana | Direct |
| Papeete → Hiva Oa (Marquesas) | ~3h45 | Air Tahiti only | Direct or via Nuku Hiva |
| Papeete → Rurutu (Australs) | ~1h30 | Air Tahiti only | 2-3 flights/week |
| Papeete → Tubuai (Australs) | ~1h40 | Air Tahiti only | Via Rurutu possible |
| Papeete → Mangareva (Gambier) | ~3h30 | Air Tahiti only | 2 flights/week |
Allow at least 2-3 hours between inter-island flights in Papeete. Some routes only operate on specific days or in one direction — always check the return route before booking. For example, a Moorea → Huahine flight exists, but there may be no direct return — you would need to go back via Tahiti.
Air Tahiti vs Air Moana — inter-island flight fares comparison
On the routes both airlines serve, Air Moana is generally cheaper. The gap varies by route and season — always simulate both before booking. Prices below are indicative one-way economy fares in high season (July-August).
| Route | Air Tahiti | Air Moana | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Papeete → Moorea | ~€60 | ~€50 | Air Moana cheaper — but ferry is better ($13) |
| Papeete → Bora Bora | ~€120-160 | ~€100-140 | Air Moana ~15-20% cheaper |
| Papeete → Raiatea | ~€90-120 | ~€80-110 | Air Moana slightly cheaper |
| Papeete → Huahine | ~€80-110 | ~€70-100 | Air Moana slightly cheaper |
| Papeete → Rangiroa | ~€120-160 | ~€100-140 | Air Moana ~15% cheaper |
| Papeete → Nuku Hiva | ~€280-380 | ~€250-340 | Air Moana cheaper |
| Papeete → Maupiti | ~€100-130 | Not served | Air Tahiti only |
| Papeete → Hiva Oa | ~€300-400 | Not served | Air Tahiti only |
| Papeete → Mangareva | ~€400-500 | Not served | Air Tahiti only |
Fares vary significantly by season, by how far in advance you book, and by availability. In July-August (peak season), prices can be 30-40% higher than in low season. Book inter-island flights as soon as your international flight is confirmed — especially for July-August which fills up months in advance.
Air Tahiti multi-island pass — is it worth it?
The Air Tahiti multi-island pass (also called the "Air Pass") is a pre-purchased package of inter-island flights at a fixed price. It sounds attractive — but it is not always the cheapest option. Here is an honest breakdown.
How the Air Tahiti pass works
The Air Tahiti pass covers a predefined circuit of islands at a flat rate. There are several pass options depending on the islands included. The pass must be purchased before arriving in French Polynesia (or at least before your first inter-island flight), and the order of islands is generally fixed at booking. Changes are possible but can incur fees.
| Pass type | Islands included | Approx. price | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bora Bora Pass | Tahiti - Moorea - Bora Bora | ~€280-320 | Classic 10-day itinerary |
| Bora Bora Extension Pass | + Huahine or Raiatea | ~€320-380 | 15-day Society Islands |
| Tuamotu Pass | Tahiti - Rangiroa - Fakarava - Tikehau | ~€380-440 | Diving itinerary |
| Discovery Pass | Society + Tuamotu | ~€450-550 | 3-week full itinerary |
| Marquesas Pass | Tahiti - Nuku Hiva - Hiva Oa | ~€550-650 | Marquesas trip |
The pass makes sense when: (1) your itinerary covers 4+ islands including remote ones, (2) you are travelling in high season when individual tickets are at peak prices, (3) you want to lock in your routing early. The pass is NOT worth it when: Air Moana serves your route at a lower total cost, you only visit 2-3 islands, or your itinerary is flexible and you prefer buying tickets individually as you go. Always simulate the total cost of individual tickets first.
Air Moana — no pass, just individual tickets
Air Moana does not currently offer a multi-island pass. Tickets are purchased individually per segment at airtahiti.com. On the 9 islands it serves, Air Moana is consistently 10-20% cheaper than Air Tahiti on the same route — making it worth checking before defaulting to the Air Tahiti pass.
This is a common source of confusion. If you decide mid-trip that you want the pass, you may no longer be eligible — or the price may be different. If you are considering the pass, buy it at the same time as your international flight.
Ferry in French Polynesia — Tahiti to Moorea & inter-island boats
Tahiti–Moorea ferry — the best way to get to Moorea
The Tahiti–Moorea ferry is a much better option than the plane for this route. The flight takes only 8 minutes but requires airport check-in and transfer on both sides — in practice it is slower and more expensive than the ferry. The ferry crossing takes 30-45 minutes, costs $13-17 per person (car transport also available), and runs about 15 times a day. You can also spot whales from the deck in season (August-November).
| Option | Duration | Price | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ferry (Aremiti / Vaeara'i) | 30-45 min | $13-17/person | ~15 departures/day · car transport available · our recommendation |
| Air Tahiti flight | 8 min (+ airport time) | ~€60 | Not recommended for this route |
| Air Moana flight | 8 min (+ airport time) | ~€50 | Not recommended for this route |
Apetahi Express — the inter-island ferry pass
The Apetahi Express is a 30-day ferry pass covering all Society Islands ferry routes for approximately 30,000 CFP (~€250). It is ideal for travellers who want to explore all the Society Islands at their own pace without booking individual flights. The pass covers Moorea, Huahine, Raiatea, Taha'a, Bora Bora and Maupiti by boat — a slower but much more scenic alternative to flying between islands.
Ferry guide Apetahi Express — 30-Day Ferry Pass French Polynesia Complete guide to the inter-island ferry pass — routes, prices and how to use it.Itinerary simulation — Tahiti, Bora Bora & Raiatea inter-island flights
Here is a concrete simulation for the classic 15-20 day itinerary: Papeete → Moorea → Raiatea → Bora Bora → Papeete. We compare individual tickets on both airlines versus the Air Tahiti Bora Bora Extension pass.
| Leg | Air Tahiti (individual) | Air Moana (individual) | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Papeete → Moorea | Ferry ($13) | Ferry ($13) | Always take the ferry |
| Moorea → Raiatea | ~€100 (via PPT) | ~€85 (via PPT) | No direct — transit through Papeete |
| Raiatea → Bora Bora | ~€60 | ~€55 | Short hop, 20 min |
| Bora Bora → Papeete | ~€130 | ~€110 | Direct return |
| Total (individual) | ~€303 + ferry | ~€263 + ferry | Air Moana saves ~€40 |
| Air Tahiti Bora Bora Extension pass | ~€320-380 | Pass slightly more expensive here — individual tickets win | |
For a Tahiti–Moorea–Raiatea–Bora Bora circuit, individual tickets with Air Moana are the cheapest option. The Air Tahiti pass becomes interesting if you add Maupiti (Air Tahiti only) or extend to the Tuamotu — the more islands you add, the more the pass can save. Always simulate before buying.
FAQ — Air Tahiti inter-island flights & pass
More guides to plan your French Polynesia itinerary
Itinerary French Polynesia 10-Day Itinerary — Bora Bora, Moorea & Tahiti The classic circuit — day by day, island by island, with transport and booking tips. Family itinerary Family Trip to French Polynesia — 20-Day Circuit 2026 Best islands for children, itinerary and transport advice for families. Island guide Best Things To Do in Moorea — Complete Guide 2026 Everything to do in Moorea — your first stop after Tahiti. Island guide Bora Bora — Complete Guide 2026 Overwater bungalows, lagoon tours, how to get there — everything for Bora Bora. Island guide Raiatea — Complete Guide 2026 The sacred island — marae, lagoon tours to Taha'a and how to get there. No-flight alternative Catamaran Cruise — Leeward Islands Skip the inter-island flights entirely — explore the Society Islands by private catamaran.
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