Samoa Travel Guide

Getting There

By Air

Polynesian Airlines, Samoa's government-owned flag carrier, once flew all around the Pacific, but in 2005 it was gutted and now flies only from Apia to Pago Pago.

Some of Polynesian's long haul routes to New Zealand and Australia were taken over by Virgin Samoa, a joint venture between the Samoan government and the Virgin family of airlines. Another 30 seats were added to Polynesian's Boeing 737 after the change in management and no-frills Virgin Samoa now charges extra for food, drinks, and movies.

Air Pacific has a weekly flight to Apia from Honolulu and Nadi. Air New Zealand arrives daily from Auckland.

Both Polynesian Airlines and Inter Island Airways operate shuttles between Pago Pago and Apia four to seven times a day. Both airlines charge identical fares from Apia to Pago Pago, and it's a third cheaper to buy your ticket in Samoa than elsewhere due to currency differences.

American Samoan airport and customs taxes and a Samoan insurance surcharge are included in these prices, but on both airlines, when the flight to/from Pago Pago is full all baggage may be bumped due to the limited carrying capacity of the aircraft. All passengers must be weighed and the average weight of Samoans is substantial (this may be one of the few places in the world where the flight attendant stands at the entrance to the plane with a bundle of extended seatbelts).

When the baggage does arrive on a later flight, you'll have to go back to the airport and clear it personally through customs. Don't expect compensation for any of this, and be aware that the check-in staff probably won't inform you about what's going on until they're just about to close the aircraft door.

If the flight is full and you see people in line with mountains of excess luggage, expect this to happen. In any case, carry everything you can't afford to lose or might need during the first few days in your hand luggage.