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TravelAwaits
May.12.2021
French Polynesia, which includes Tahiti, opened its borders to American tourists earlier this month, and now airlines are responding by adding flights to actually get you to the South Pacific paradise.
Tahiti, Bora Bora, and the other islands that comprise French Polynesia opened to American tourists on May 1 with a number of restrictions in place. The first step is to apply for entry through the islands’ Electronic Travel Information System between 6 and 30 days before travel to obtain authorization to travel.
Travelers who have proof of vaccination will be exempt from quarantine upon arrival, but everyone must show proof of a negative COVID test taken within three days of departure. Those who haven’t been vaccinated must quarantine for 10 days after arrival. Visitors are also subject to testing upon arrival.
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Airlines are ramping up flights from Tahiti to the United States following the reopening of the Tahitian islands to U.S. tourists on May 1.
Air Tahiti Nui has resumed flights from the Tahitian capital of Papeete to Los Angeles after a nearly three-month suspension and will be flying the route four times weekly beginning next week.
Meanwhile, Air France is scheduled to resume Papeete-LAX service on May 16 for the first time since March 2020, according to Cirium flight schedule data.
On June 3, discount carrier French Bee is scheduled to resume its Tahiti-San Francisco flights, with United following on the same route the following day with three-times weekly service.
Routes: SFO expands AirTrain + Southwest, United, Delta, Avelo, airport lounges, more
Jim Glab
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An aerial view of the International Terminal at San Francisco International Airport.Michael H/Getty Images
In the latest news, San Francisco International has extended its AirTrain system to long-term parking garages and has opened another COVID-19 testing facility; Southwest will add a pair of San Jose routes in June; United grows at Fresno; Delta will kick abusive passengers out of its SkyMiles program, and the FAA issues more heavy fines on unruly travelers; the EU urges member states to open up travel to vaccinated foreigners; foreign carriers expand U.S. operations as restrictions start to ease; new low-cost California carrier Avelo plans to operate on the East Coast; more airlines reimpose restrictions on cheapest tickets; Delta is installing premium economy seating on more of its international fleet; a new passenger lounge is coming to SFO; United and America
French Polynesia will tomorrow re-open its borders for quarantine-free travel.
Such access will be allowed for vaccinated tourists arriving from the United States who have tested negative for Covid-19 no more than three days before departure.
Air Tahiti ATR
Photo: supplied
Air Tahiti Nui is relaunching its Los Angeles to Papeete service after a three-month break imposed by France as its pandemic worsened.
After lobbying from French Polynesia s government and tourism sector, the French authorities eased the travel ban to allow eligible US travellers back in.
However, those who aren t vaccinated need to go into a ten-day quarantine, which is expected to keep tourist numbers lower than hoped.