The US-Bound Air France Flights That Don’t Touch The French Mainland

Air France serves the overseas territories of the French Republic with direct flights to certain North American destinations. The airline operates direct flights from Faa’a International Airport (PPT), also known as Tahiti International Airport, located on the island of Tahiti, to Los Angeles (LAX) in the continental United States.

A different French archipelago, Guadeloupe, over on the Atlantic side, is connected to the eastern coast of the US at Miami. Air France operates direct flights between Pointe-à-Pitre International Airport (PTP) and Miami International Airport (MIA). The French flag carrier connects two ends of the US mainland to two island destinations in France without touching the French mainland. This article explores Air France’s flights from French overseas territories bound for the US.

French Polynesia

French Polynesia comprises 121 geographically dispersed islands within an overseas territory of France. Stretching over 1,200 miles (2,200 km), these islands have a combined population of nearly 300,000 people. Data from Cirium, an aviation analytics company, shows that Air France offers direct flights to the United States from both French Polynesia and Guadeloupe this year.

Photo: Carlos Yudica | Shutterstock

The Air France website states,

“For the most part, the islands are high and surrounded by lagoons. Between them there are “motu”, islets formed from sand and coral. The beaches can be of light or dark sand and are lined with coconut palms. There is lush vegetation in the heart of the islands.”

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Pipette, Tahiti (PTP) to Los Angeles (LAX)

Air France operates its brand new set of Airbus A350 aircraft to connect the French mainland to the overseas territory of French Polynesia via the United States. Flight AF28 leaves Paris Charles De Gaulle (CDG) in the evening hours and arrives in Los Angeles at approximately 21:45 hours local time. After staying in the air for 11 hours and 20 minutes, it refuels on the ground and prepares for its next flight to PPT.

Photo: sockagphoto | Shutterstock

Departing nearly four hours after its arrival in LAX, the aircraft continues on to Tahihi (PPT), departing the following morning at 00:10 hours and arriving in PPT at 05:30 local. Just over two hours later, Air France flight 29 returns for its journey home, once again through LAX. The flight departs PPT at 07:40 local time and arrives eight hours later at LAX at 18:40 hours. The flight continues on to CDG at 21:00 hours and arrives after 10 hours and 45 minutes, at 16:45 local.

According to Air France,

“Whether you’re looking for a last-minute flight to French Polynesia or planning a flight at a later date, take advantage of our lowest prices for your travel dates on this site. With our flights list you can easily find the cheapest prices for the coming months to fly with Air France to French Polynesia departing from United States airports”

Photo: Vinceno Pace I Simple Flying

Air France offers 253 return trips between PPT and LAX this year, enabling nearly 77,000 seat offerings. The airline offers nearly 315 million ASMs on this route. The airline competes with Tahiti’s mainline carrier, Air Tahiti Nui, on the tourism route. Air Tahiti Nui operates two daily flights (on most days) on the route using its Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner aircraft. A handful of Air France’s codeshare partners advertise and sell tickets on the route.

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Pointe-à-Pitre, Guadeloupe (PTP) to Miami (MIA)

Air France operates twice-weekly direct flights between Pointe-à-Pitre, Guadeloupe (PTP) and Miami International Airport (MIA). The airline operates nonstop flights between the city pair on Tuesdays and Saturdays. The three-hour and 30-minute flight is covered by Air France’s Airbus A320 narrowbody fleet.

Photo: Airbus

Air France offers 128 round trips between PTP and MIA this year, enabling nearly 22,000 seat offerings. The airline offers nearly 30 million ASMs on this route. American Airlines competes on this route with a once-weekly (Saturdays) flight between the city pair using its Boeing 737-800 aircraft. Air France’s partner Delta Air Lines codeshares the corridor with Air France.

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Have you traveled with Air France to any of the French Polynesian islands? How was your experience with the airline? Share your experience with us in the comments section.