There is no direct flight from Los Angeles to Bora Bora, but the trip is simpler than it sounds: you fly non-stop to Tahiti (Papeete) in about 8 hours, then take a short 50-minute island hop to Bora Bora. This guide covers the airlines, what a fair economy return costs in dollars, and how to book the two legs as one smooth trip.
Route: Los Angeles (LAX) → Bora Bora (BOB), via Papeete, Tahiti (PPT)
Distance: approximately 6,600 km (4,100 miles) LAX–Papeete, then 260 km to Bora Bora
Non-stop flight time: about 8h 00m LAX–Papeete, plus a 50-minute inter-island hop
Direct flights: No non-stop LA–Bora Bora, but there IS a non-stop to Tahiti — Air Tahiti Nui and French Bee fly LAX → Papeete, then Air Tahiti flies the last leg to Bora Bora.
Fares from Los Angeles to Bora Bora (USD)
French Polynesia is a year-round destination, but fares peak in the dry, sunny high season (May–October) and over the Christmas/New Year holidays. The wetter, quieter low season (November–April, outside the holidays) is usually the cheapest to fly. The table below shows when the route is busiest. We no longer print per-month fare estimates here, because they were never measured.
| Month | Demand |
|---|---|
| January | medium |
| February | low-medium |
| March | low |
| April | medium |
| May | high (dry season) |
| June | high |
| July | very high |
| August | very high |
| September | high |
| October | medium-high |
| November | low-medium |
| December | very high (holidays) |
Reference points from our own deal tracking: a genuinely good return to Papeete lands around $620–$720, with the onward Bora Bora hop adding roughly $380–$500 round-trip. A typical fair all-in price is around $1,050, and anything under about $950 for the full trip is worth booking quickly.
Airlines on this route
Non-stop to Tahiti (about 8 hours):
- Air Tahiti Nui — the French Polynesian flag carrier, non-stop LAX → Papeete on modern Boeing 787s; it code-shares with Air Tahiti so you can book right through to Bora Bora.
- French Bee — a lower-cost non-stop from LAX to Papeete; good value, with bags and extras usually priced separately.
The inter-island leg (about 50 minutes):
- Air Tahiti — the domestic carrier that flies Papeete → Bora Bora (Motu Mute airport) several times a day. Book it on the same itinerary as your international flight where possible so your bags and timings are protected.
Booking LAX–Papeete and the Bora Bora hop together — ideally on an Air Tahiti Nui through-fare — is the easiest way to avoid a tight self-connection at Papeete.
When to book & how to save
- Book 3–6 months ahead. Bora Bora is a small, high-demand destination, so fares and the best resort transfers go early, especially for the May–October dry season.
- Travel in the low season (November–April, outside the holidays) for the lowest fares — showers are usually short, and prices on both flights and hotels ease noticeably.
- Book the inter-island leg on the same ticket so your bags check through and a delay on the LAX leg doesn’t cost you the Bora Bora connection.
- Compare Air Tahiti Nui vs French Bee all-in: French Bee’s headline fare can be lower, but add bags and seats to see the true price against the full-service option.
- Mind the baggage allowance on the small inter-island aircraft — limits are tighter than on the trans-Pacific flight, so pack accordingly.
Arriving in Bora Bora
You’ll clear immigration in Papeete (PPT) on Tahiti, then continue to Bora Bora Airport (BOB), which sits on Motu Mute, a small islet in the lagoon. There’s no road bridge, so on arrival you transfer to the main island or your resort by boat — most hotels run their own shuttle boats, and there’s a public catamaran to Vaitape, the main village. Confirm your resort’s boat transfer in advance, as arrivals are timed to flights. French Polynesia uses the CFP franc (XPF); the fares in this guide are shown in US dollars for comparison.
Frequently asked questions
Are there direct flights from Los Angeles to Bora Bora?
No. There is no non-stop flight to Bora Bora itself — but there is a non-stop to Tahiti. You fly LAX to Papeete (about 8 hours) on Air Tahiti Nui or French Bee, then take a 50-minute Air Tahiti hop to Bora Bora. The two legs can be booked as one itinerary.
How long is the trip from Los Angeles to Bora Bora?
The non-stop LAX–Papeete flight is about 8 hours, and the inter-island hop to Bora Bora is roughly 50 minutes. With the connection and boat transfer to your resort, plan on most of a travel day door to door.
How much does it cost to fly from Los Angeles to Bora Bora?
A typical economy return for the full journey runs about $900–$1,500. Good deals bring the Papeete leg to around $620–$720, with the Bora Bora hop adding roughly $380–$500 round-trip — so an all-in under about $950 is a strong price.
What is the cheapest month to fly from Los Angeles to Bora Bora?
February, March and November are usually the cheapest, in the quieter low season. Avoid the May–October dry-season peak and the December–January holidays, which are the busiest and most expensive for both flights and resorts.
Which airlines fly from Los Angeles to Bora Bora?
Air Tahiti Nui and French Bee fly non-stop LAX to Papeete (Tahiti), and Air Tahiti operates the domestic Papeete–Bora Bora leg. Air Tahiti Nui code-shares with Air Tahiti, so you can book the whole LAX–Bora Bora trip on a single ticket.
Which airport do I fly into for Bora Bora?
You clear customs at Papeete (PPT) on Tahiti, then fly on to Bora Bora Airport (BOB) on Motu Mute islet. From there you reach the main island or your resort by boat — there’s no road connection, so hotel shuttle boats and a public catamaran handle the last leg.
How far in advance should I book?
Aim for 3 to 6 months ahead. Bora Bora is a small, popular destination with limited seats and resort space, so both flights and hotels sell out early — especially for the May–October high season and the Christmas holidays.
Should I book the two flights together or separately?
Book them together where you can. A single Air Tahiti Nui through-fare (or a combined itinerary) checks your bags to Bora Bora and protects the connection if your LAX flight is delayed. Booking the legs separately risks a missed connection with no protection.
Fare guidance based on aifly.one deal tracking and current airline schedules; last reviewed July 2026. Indicative economy returns — always check the live fare before booking.
