There may be a number of circumstances why you may be at the Papeete airport terminal in Tahiti for a few hours waiting for a flight. For example, if you are flying from one of the smaller islands such as Bora-Bora or Rangiroa to Papeete, there will be at least a four or more hour wait before the international flight home. Do yourself a favour and take note of the following tips that will make your stop more comfortable.
There are a number of ways to make the Papeete airport layover a little easier. For example, there are free showers in the public restrooms in the main lounge once you have passed through security. If you have a towel and soap in your carry-on luggage, you can freshen up and have a shower before your departing flight. There are also bench seats. Arrive early and you can stretch out for a pre-flight nap.
Many people will check in for their flight two to three hours prior to their flight when the check-in counter opens at the Papeete airport. Most people will just wait for their flight by the check-in gate which is in the main departures lounge. What many people do not realize is that there is an upstairs section to the departures lounge with chairs, a view of the airplanes coming in, a kids play area, as well as tables with charging plugs for laptops and other devices. In many cases, this upstairs area is virtually empty. Most people see the sign to the stairs going up that say “lounge” and think that the entire upstairs area is the executive lounge for business class travellers, but half of the upstairs area (not air-conditioned) is open to economy class passengers.
In the Papeete airport departures lounge, there is a restaurant, a duty-free shop, a clothing store and an area that opens to the outdoors for those who need to smoke or want to be outside.
If you are wanting a more comfortable place to relax you can stay in the business class Papeete airport lounge for Air Tahiti Nui, Air France, Air New Zealand, Qantas and Air Calin executive travellers. This lounge is open to business class passengers (as well as Dragon Pass and Priority Pass members on a pay per use basis). The lounge has showers, a TV area, comfortable lounge chairs and workstations in a large air-conditioned environment. Priority pass members may be denied entry if the lounge is busy which tends to happen when there are three or more flights departing within a short period of time. Such times include Saturdays when the once weekly Hawaiian Airlines flight departs to Hawaii close to the same time as the two Air Tahiti Nui flights to LA and Paris. On a hot evening, the cool lounge is a welcome retreat from the humid evening air.
No matter your circumstances these things can make your Papeete airport layover much more comfortable.