Believe it or not, the flight time from the west coast of the U.S. to Tahiti is just eight hours. Yes, the paradise of pearls, vanilla, and powdery white sand beaches is more convenient than Europe for the western half of the U.S., and yet its remote location in the center of the Pacific Ocean, halfway between California and Australia, makes it seem so much farther. After texting a friend last week to say I was headed from LAX to Tahiti on Air France, I texted again when I’d landed and been lei’d at the capital’s Fa’a’? International Airport (PPT). My friend’s response was a simple and astonished, “Already?!?!”

In truth, Tahiti has never been easier or more affordable to reach—and people are paying attention. It's a three-part comeback: A new breed of travelers is attracted to the active pursuits offered by the islands (from kitesurfing to diving with manta rays), Tahiti's cultural exports are cool again, and increased flights from the U.S. on new planes are getting people to the island more efficiently.

 

In May, low-cost airline French Bee launched no-frills flights between San Francisco and Tahiti on a new Airbus A350 with larger windows, improved onboard air circulation and humidity control, and updated in-flight entertainment. Then, major player United Airlines followed with a new Tahiti route in October, also flying from San Francisco but with a Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner with similar cabin comfort enhancements. The increased competition put downward pressure on airfares, and flights from the west coast to Tahiti have recently sunk as low as $600 round-trip, half what the lowest priced tickets cost in years past.

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