The Most Beautiful Flight - Air Tahiti to Bora Bora

Trip Report: The Most Beautiful Flight – Air Tahiti to Bora Bora

Sam Chui·October 10, 2022

After arriving in Tahiti on the most exotic and colorful B787, I traveled on Air Tahiti domestically to explore the beauty of the French Polynesian islands.

My flight was from Papeete to Bora Bora with a stop at Huahine and back. This turned out to be one of the most beautiful flights I've taken.

a map of islands with red lines and points

a screen with a blue and red text — My Flight VT478 departed at 7:15am. There are frequent flights to Bora Bora and other popular islands. Boarding starts approximately 15 minutes before departure time.

a white airplane with red and white design on the side — My flight is operated by Air Tahiti ATR72-600 F-OVRT

rows of seats in an airplane — There is no assignment on seating. It is free seating on Air Tahiti flights.

a woman in a dress standing in an airplane — The seats look like honeymoon pair seats, they are slim but comfortable for an hour's flight as you're distracted by the amazing views throughout the flight.

a woman in a yellow raincoat reading a book in an airplane

I was invited to fly in the cockpit jumpseat on Air Tahiti ATR72-600.

Our first leg from Papeete to Huahine took about 30 minutes flying at 12,000 ft.

an aerial view of a large island — We had a clear view of the island of Moorea on the way to Huahine.

a woman holding a tray of food — A free juice is served on the 30 minute flight.

a blue ocean with islands and clouds — Approching Huahine

the cockpit of an airplane with a view of land and water

a group of people in a cockpit of an airplane

Watch the landing into Huahine on my video below:

Video

Huahine

John Steinbeck House with a few people in front of it — Huahine is an island located among the Society Islands. Our flight brings in locals, tourists and daily supplies. After 50 passengers got off, another 50 joined our flight to Bora Bora.

two men in a plane — A selfie with first officer Tetu, "gifted son from Moorea".

After a 20 minute stop, 50 new tourists came onboard, we were ready to depart to Bora Bora.

Flying time to Bora Bora was just 15 minutes, at 4,000 ft.

two people in the cockpit of an airplane — Captain Quith Cowan has served the island for over 20 years as a pilot, dedicating his career to the islands instead of flying abroad.

a aerial view of a beach and land — Huahine view from departure

a rainbow over a beach — We flew past Raiatea and Tapaa, with a rainbow over the horizon!

The weather had become clear and I can see the turquoise-blue ocean and crystal-clear lagoon.

The scenery was out of this world and it was one of the most beautiful flights I’ve taken.

an aerial view of a land and ocean — We flew around the island of Bora Bora and line up for runway 11 approach.

an aerial view of a beach with houses and a body of water

a person in a pilot's uniform in a cockpit

Watch the landing on my video below:

Video

Bora Bora Airport

There are no roads and no cars at Bora Bora airport. The only transportation is by boat to the main center or hotel.

a group of people standing in front of a plane

a group of people standing in front of an airplane

After 20 minutes, I hopped on the island hopper again, this time departing Bora Bora back to Papeete.

My flight back to Papette was equally as scenic, we flew low over some Tahitian overwater bungalows.

a aerial view of a mountain and blue water

an island with a body of water and Bora Bora

a can of beer and a paper cup and napkins — Having a Hinano Beer to top off the island hopping experience!

Conclusion

Aviation plays an important role in transporting travelers and cargo supplies to these islands. The scenery on the flight was simply out of this world and it was one of the most beautiful flights I’ve taken.

Air Tahiti has some island passes for those who like to visit more islands. Details are on their website.