C$ 444 Find Cheap Flights from San Francisco to Papeete – Compare and Save

These are the earliest and latest flight times available from San Francisco to Papeete:

• Earliest: departs at 11:55 am and lands at 8:34 pm
• Latest: departs at 11:40 pm and lands at 8:19 am.

The flight takes about 8h 39m.

Three cabin classes are available on flights from San Francisco to Papeete:

• Economy Class
• Business Class
• First Class

A direct flight from San Francisco to Papeete takes 8h 39m, covering 10,878 km.

Yes, a valid passport is required for this international route. Many destinations require at least six months of validity beyond your travel dates. Check your passport expiry well before booking.

Round-trip flights from San Francisco to Papeete range from C$ 887 to C$ 1,280, with an average of C$ 1,022 over the past 12 months. Anything below C$ 887 counts as a good deal.

Last-minute fares on this route – booked within 2 weeks of departure – run 6% below the route average of C$ 1,022. Booking late can sometimes save money on this route, but inventory is limited.

On this route, direct flights are cheaper than layover options on average. Direct fares average C$ 1,010 round-trip, compared to C$ 1,196 via a layover through Honolulu (HNL).

There is no standard. Checked bag policies vary by airline on this route. Most carriers charge C$ 57–C$ 142 for the first checked bag in economy. Premium fares and elite status bookings typically include a free checked bag.

The Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner family is used most often on this route, operated mainly by United Airlines and Lufthansa. Other aircraft seen on the route include Boeing 737 MAX 8 variants.

Afternoon is the busiest departure period on San Francisco to Papeete flights, with 100% leaving in that window. Morning departures account for 0%, Evening flights for 0%, and Night flights for 0%.

One-way fares from San Francisco to Papeete are currently higher than usual. Average one-way flight prices are about C$ 818, which is 45% above the typical average for this route.

Papeete Faaa Airport (PPT) hosts 5 major car rental companies, with daily rates starting from around C$ 46 for economy cars. Top options include:
• Hertz
• Europcar
• Avis
• Thrifty
• keddy by Europcar

Flights from San Francisco to Papeete usually depart from San Francisco (SFO) and arrive at Papeete Faaa (PPT).

Morning flights have the fewest delays on this route. Delays tend to pile up throughout the day as one late flight pushes the next, so earlier departures are usually more reliable.

A flight is considered delayed when it departs 15 minutes or more after its scheduled time. This is the standard used by the US Department of Transportation and most airline industry reporting. On the San Francisco to Papeete route, 23% of flights were delayed in the past 3 months, with delays averaging 2 hours 34 minutes.

One-stop flights from San Francisco to Papeete most commonly connect through:

• Los Angeles (LAX) – 97% of one-stop connections
• Seattle/Tacoma Intl (SEA) – 2% of one-stop connections
• Honolulu (HNL) – 1% of one-stop connections

Los Angeles (LAX) handles the largest share of one-stop connections on this route.

On the San Francisco to Papeete route, being flexible with your departure day can save you up to 19%. Sunday is the cheapest day at C$ 935 round-trip on average, while Saturday is the most expensive at C$ 1,153 – a C$ 218 difference. Cheaper weekend fares like these are typical of routes dominated by weekday business travel.

2 airlines operate flights between San Francisco and Papeete. The airlines offering direct flights on this route include:

• United Airlines
• French Bee

Flying via Los Angeles (LAX) gives the shortest average 1-stop total travel time at 13h 57m, compared with 16h 03m via Seattle/Tacoma Intl (SEA) and 19h 56m via Honolulu (HNL).

Papeete is 3 hours behind San Francisco (Tahiti Time vs Pacific Time). Plan for the time shift when scheduling connections or first-day activities.

Among airlines operating San Francisco to Papeete flights:

• French Bee: offers extra legroom; offers free seat selection
• United Airlines: offers extra legroom; offers free seat selection

Extra legroom and free seat selection availability depends on fare class and route.

Here are some options for this route, based on selected ticket types and cabin classes:

• French Bee: a carry-on bag and a checked bag in Economy Class
• United Airlines: a carry-on bag and a checked bag in Economy Class
• Air Caraïbes: a carry-on bag and a checked bag in Economy Class

Bag allowance can vary by ticket type, cabin class, route, and airline, so travellers should check the fare details before booking.

United Airlines offers special meals for passengers with special dietary needs or allergies. They include lactose-free, gluten-free, bland, low-cholesterol, vegan, Asian vegetarian, low-sodium, kosher, Muslim, Hindu, infant, and child meals. We recommend requesting your meal at least 48 hours before your flight’s scheduled departure for availability.

Taxis are the most convenient and popular transportation option from Fa'a'ā International Airport (PPT) to downtown Papeete. They are readily available in the Ground Transportation area. Multiple local and international car rental agencies, including Hertz, Europcar, Avis, and Tahiti Easy, are available on-site.

The average carbon emissions per passenger on one-way flights from San Francisco to Papeete is 2200 lb. If you’re looking for eco-friendly flights on this route, consider booking French Bee Airlines, United Airlines, or Air Caraïbes, which emit less CO₂ on their direct connections. They have implemented several measures to lower carbon emissions.

If you’re looking for a place to relax at SFO before your flight to Papeete, you can check into Delta Sky Club, Alaska Lounge, United Club, or American Airlines Admirals Club. These lounges have comfortable spaces, dining options, complimentary drinks and snacks, free high-speed internet, and entertainment options.