Despite the tropical beauty, moderate temperatures, and friendly Samoan community, American Samoa is not a destination most people have seen or maybe even heard of. While life on the island is wonderfully laid back and relaxed, a fair bit of planning needs to go into scheduling flights to American Samoa. This Flight to American Samoa guide will outline the different routes and airlines that fly to the beautiful Samoan archipelago.
Most Recent Post Update: January 2020
Read More: Things to do in American Samoa-Hiking the National Park of American Samoa
The Basics of Flights to American Samoa
How you arrive and which airline you take depends on which part of the world you are taking off from. The American Samoa International Airport (PPG) sits just outside the capital “city” of Pago Pago, on the main island of Tutuila. There are three main routes that fly to American Samoa.
Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links, which means that if you purchase through the links, we receive a small commission. As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases, but purchases will never cost you extra.
Flights From Hawaii
Currently, Hawaiian Airlines is the only airline with service between Honolulu, Hawaii (HNL) and American Samoa (PPG). Flight schedules sometimes change throughout the year, but generally there is service twice weekly, with the summer months and other busy times bumping up to three times weekly.
At the time of update (Jan. 2020), current schedule is Monday and Thursday flights, with the additional summer day scheduled for Sundays beginning in June. Flights arrive from Honolulu into Pago Pago, and then return again later that night as follows:
- Flights depart HNL at 4:30 PM and arrive in PPG at 9:10 PM
- Flights depart PPG at 11:20 PM and arrive in HNL the next day at 5:50 AM
Sadly, there are no “cheap flights” or sale fares to American Samoa from Hawaii since there is only one airline providing service. Round trip economy fares for adults cost $900 and up at the time of posting.
Flights From Samoa
As of December 2019, Samoa now has just one airport on the main island of Upolu. Fagali’i Airport, formerly serving domestic travel between American Samoa, and Samoa has closed.
Faleolo International Airport (APW) sits 45 minutes to the west of the capital city Apia, on Upolu. Weekly flights arrive from New Zealand, Australia, Hawaii, Fiji, and Tonga. The commuter flights between American Samoa and Samoa also depart from Faleolo Airport.
Depending on the region of the world you are traveling to American Samoa from, a stop in Samoa might be necessary. Transfer between the airport and Apia for lodging is easy via taxi, taking about an hour.
Read More: Complete Guide to Apia, Samoa Travel
Both Samoa Airlines (formerly Polynesian Airlines) and Talofa Airways have service between Pago Pago, American Samoa and Faleolo Airport in Samoa. Flights between the 2 Samoas are quick, and on small propeller planes. Samoa Airlines operates 8 flights daily using 20 seater planes, with Talofa Airways operating 6 flights daily on 10 seater planes.
A few things to know about flights between the two Samoas:
- The International Date Line separates American Samoa from Samoa. The resulting time difference is 25 hours, with Samoa being the day ahead of American Samoa. Take care when booking plane tickets between the two nations so you are departing and landing on the correct days.
- Flights are only 30 minutes long, but you’ll feel like a time traveler due to gaining or losing a day when crossing the date line!
- If you are departing from American Samoa and heading to Samoa, always tell the airline you have a connecting flight so your luggage will be priority tagged. Otherwise your luggage might take a later flight and you’ll need to wait at the airport until the next flight.
At the time of posting, round trip adult fares cost $165 on Samoa Airlines and $168 on Talofa Airways.
For more details about travel routes departing from Samoa, please see: The Ins and Outs of Flights to Samoa
Flights From Tonga
Talofa Airways is currently the only airline with service between Pago Pago and Fua’amotu International Airport (TBU) on the main island of Tongatapu, in Tonga. Flights are direct, and operate twice weekly. At the time of posting, round trip adult tickets cost $800.
Talofa also has flights to Tonga from Apia, Samoa. If you have the travel time and the budget, take one way flights between these three nations for an amazing South Pacific experience!
Flights to the Outer Islands of American Samoa
The outer Manu’a Islands in American Samoa are a popular spot to jump to during an American Samoa vacation. The group of three islands consists of Ofu, Olesega, and Ta’u and are well known for their pristine coral reef and empty, gorgeous beaches. Ofu Beach is often considered one of the world’s best. The National Park of American Samoa maintains land on both Ofu and Ta’u.
The draw of empty, pristine beaches on Ofu hints at the difficulty in arriving to these outer islands. Samoa Air does operate one weekly flight between Pago Pago and Ofu, but be prepared with travel flexibility if you plan to visit Ofu. If any residents of the Manu’a islands need to make last minute travel plans to Pago Pago (for a Doctor appointment, etc.) the airline can and should prioritize the local residents needs over the visiting tourists. Your options at this point would be to wait an additional week until the following flight, or charter a boat back to Pago Pago.
There is an additional airline (Manu’a Airways) setting up more regular flights between Pago Pago and Ofu, but at this time they are still not up and running.
Ferry
There is a ferry that operates weekly service between Samoa and American Samoa if you are looking for a budget friendly way to get between islands. We would not suggest relying on the ferry if your travel plans are not flexible. Ferry breakdowns happen somewhat frequently, and it’s not uncommon for the repairs to take a few weeks while the parts arrive from off island.
Logistics of Your American Samoa Vacation
- American Samoa Currency is the United States Dollar (USD). Credit cards are becoming more widely accepted, but still plan to be paying for a many things with cash. ATMs are common, but frequently run out of cash over the weekends.
- The only pre-paid local SIM card option is BlueSky. Data pricing depends on how many days of service you need. Currently, $6 or $10 buys you 3 or 5 GB of data valid for 5 days, and $25 buys 8 GB valid for 15 days. Make sure to bring your unlocked cell phone to take advantage of local SIMs.
- Cell Service is good across Tutuila.
- Electricity Adapter: If you plan on plugging in or charging any devices while in American Samoa, bring an adapter if your devices are not US 110-120V.
- For complete American Samoa Visa requirements, visit the Immigration Office website for information on obtaining an OK To Board document.
- The time zone in American Samoa is UTC-11.
American Samoa Weather
American Samoa weather is stable, with small variations throughout the year due to the proximity to the equator. The hottest months are between December and April when average highs are 88 F, with the rest of year averaging 84 F. Lows remain at an average of 77 F throughout the year.
The islands receive frequent rains, but also plenty of sunshine. The trade winds blow nearly constantly from April to November, making the humid temperatures much more comfortable. The still air from December to April makes the high 80’s feel less than bearable.
When planning your flights to American Samoa, keep in mind that cyclone season is between November and March. While cyclones are not frequent, they do pass through the islands every 5-10 years on average.
Time to Book Your Flight!
Hopefully the routes of flights to American Samoa are clear and obvious, and you’ll be booking your flight soon! Have you visited American Samoa or have a trip planned? Leave us a comment and let us know!
Hi,
I’m really sorry to ask but this is a good, well researched article and it sounds like you know a lot about travelling to American Samoa. So I’m trying my luck to see if you can give me any insight . I am a UK citizen and eligible for the entry waiver program. I’ve sent in my docs to get to the ok to board. I’ve literally heard nothing back for 6 weeks since first submission despite 3 follow-up emails to the appropriate contact email. I even tried phoning once but got no answer, and it’s not cheap to call from London! Look, I don’t go til July, but AS is part of a six country/territory island hop, and it’s literally the only one I need to get entry clearance for. Maybe I’ve sent my online application and supporting papers in too far in advance, but I kind of need to so I can build AS into a pretty complex itinerary (or else leave AS out of the trip!) Also since I’m island hopping in the lead up to my dates in AS I may or may not be able to receive the OK Board if they send it just a few days before. I’m very sorry for the long note, but I’m just a bit tense about why there hasn’t been any acknowledgement at all- even a one line email saying you’ll get your OK Board a week before, or something like that . Any insights gratefully received
Hi Furkan,
I can totally understand why you are feeling tense! You’re not the first one I’ve heard who has had minimal communication back from AS immigration. Let me ask around and see if I can find any answers. We currently live in Am Samoa. Sounds like an awesome trip! Will be in touch- Meredith
Hi again Furkan,
Take a look at the links below for the OK to Board application through the Attorney General’s office. Is this the same link and contact information you followed when you applied? This has slightly more updated information than the direct immigration website.
https://www.legalaffairs.as.gov/copy-of-entry-permit-waiver-program
https://www.legalaffairs.as.gov/epwp-2-0-app-form
Hi Meredith
I’m so sorry it’s been so long coming back to you. I was travelling for work. Thank you for looking. Yes those are the links and the application portal I used. I do appreciate you looking for me. I have two further avenues and then I’m going to leave AS off my itinerary. First is the lady at the AS treasury dept whose name and email is on my processing receipt for the landing permit which I paid thru this portal. I know it’s not her job but maybe like you she’s kind like you and can ask someone in the Immigration office to look. If that fails I’ll ask Talofa airlines- I’ve read blogs where European travellers turn up at Apia airport, don’t have the OK to board cos they don’t know to get it , and talofa just faxes a list of names and passport copies ahead . If they tell me this is a rout I may take my chances. If they tell me know way, then I’ll have to skip AS and go direct to Tonga
Again very many thanks for your help. If I make it , maybe I can buy you and your family dinner- it would be great to hear what life is like!
Cheers
Furkan
Hey Meredith,
I wanted to say thanks for looking for me- those are indeed the links I used. I had written a reply thanking you but the site kept saying ‘it looks like you’ve said that before’. I just didn’t want to think I was so rude as not to say thanks since you took time out . AnywY thanks- still no sign of the Entry Permit nearly 3 months later . I have two avenues to follow before cancelling the American Samoa part of the trip as I can’t jeopardise the whole trip
Hi Furkan,
Thank you for your kind note! Both messages came through, I was just slow to approve the first comment 🙂 Not sure why the site said that, but I appreciate the follow up! You’re not the only one who has dealt with a slow response from immigration, so much so that it was on the agenda at the new tourism group meeting last week. I read your plan, and I think those are two great ideas. The Immigration Dept. is understaffed (well, all the government positions are) and on island time, so a frustrating combination for those travelers who need their details planned in advance! I would definitely get in touch with Talofa Airlines. They are relatively new to serving the islands, are known for their customer service. I have heard the OK to Board process is a little more relaxed when coming from Apia rather than Hawaii, so the tips you’ve read might just be spot on. Send me an email to info.chasingabandon@gmail.com and I can pass along my number. Would love to meet up, or if the OK to Board process breaks down once you’re here then maybe there will be a way I help! Best of luck! Meredith
I lived there and liked it. I would like to live there again. I flew for South Pacific airways and Samoa air. I am still a crop duster in Minnesota and California.