Which Airlines Have Direct Flights to Tonga?
The dream of exploring Tonga doesn’t feel real until the flight is booked! However, as any savvy traveller will know, a way to ensure you get the best deals on flights is to find all of the airlines that operate direct flights and compare routes/prices. To help you with that niggly process, we’ve put together this quick guide to the airlines that fly to Tonga! You’ll find flights between Tonga, New Zealand, Australia, Fiji and Samoa.
For more information on flying to Tonga, see Everything You Need to Know About Arriving in Tonga, as well as How to Book a Cheap Flight to Tonga.
Airlines That Fly to Tonga Overview
Don’t want to scroll too far down this article? Here’s a quick list fo the airlines that fly to Tonga and where they fly from.
- Air New Zealand – Auckland to Nuku’alofa
- Virgin Australia – Sydney to Nuku’alofa
- Fiji Airways – Nadi to Nuku’alofa, Nadi to Vava’u
- Talofa Airways – Fagali’i to Nuku’alofa, Pago Pago to Nuku’alofa
For more destination information for Tonga, see the Which Airport to Fly to in Tonga.
Air New Zealand
Flight Route: Auckland (New Zealand) – Nuku’alofa (Tongatapu)
Duration: 3 Hours
Air New Zealand operates non-stop flights between Tongatapu and Auckland. The three-hour flight arrives and departs once a day, except for Sundays, throughout most of the year with slightly reduced schedules during the low season – around February and March.
The New Zealand airline has four types of tickets available for flights to Tonga: Seat, Seat + Bag, The Works and Works Deluxe. Flights have personal inflight entertainment systems and food is available to order.
Virgin Australia
Flight Route: Sydney (Australia) – Nuku’alofa
Duration: 4h30mins
Virgin Australia operates non-stop flights between Sydney and Tongatapu twice a week all year round. The 4h30min flight is typically scheduled on a Monday and Wednesday.
The airline has three types of tickets: Getaway, Elevate and Freedom. Flights include complimentary meals and drinks, as well as inflight entertainment systems.
Fiji Airways
Flight Route: Nadi (Fiji) – Nuku’alofa, Nadi – Vava’u
Duration: 1h5mins, 1h10mins
Fiji Airways connects Tonga to Fiji with flights between Tongatapu and Nadi, as well as between Vava’u and Nadi. The frequency of flights is very seasonal with Fiji Airways, where they will put on more flights in the high season, typically between June and November.
Flights from Nadi to Nuku’alofa are their most popular route with around four flights per week. Flights between Nadi and Vava’u occur twice a week.
Fiji Airways offers four types of fares: Bula Saver & Special, Bula Plus, Biz Saver and Biz Plus.
Learn more about travelling to Fiji on our sister site, FijiPocketGuide.com!
Talofa Airways
Flight Route: Fagali’i (Samoa) – Nuku’alofa, Pago Pago (American Samoa) – Nuku’alofa
Duration: 1h50mins (both routes)
Talofa Airways is one of the newest airlines to service Tonga, operating non-stop flights between Tonga, Samoa and American Samoa. There are two flights per week between Fagali’i and Tongatapu, as well as twice a week between Pago Pago and Tongatapu.
Flights are in Twin Commander aircraft where your entertainment and the views of the South Pacific Ocean and its islands. Charter flights are also available.
[UPDATE] Real Tonga Airlines
Flight Route: Suva (Fiji) – Nuku’alofa, Apia (Samoa) – Vava’u
Duration: 55 minutes, 1h30mins
[Update: Real Tonga Airlines is now operating as Lulutai Airlines and is currently only providing domestic flights in Tonga. If/when the airline offers international flights, this page will be updated].
Real Tonga Airline is the sole domestic airline carrier in Tonga, which also operates a couple of international flights to Fiji and Samoa. Flights between Suva and Tongatapu run every Monday, while flights run between Apia and Vava’u every Friday.
Real Tonga Airline flights don’t have entertainment systems or inflight meals but do offer a range of fares, including Real Standard, Real Flexi and Real Saver.
Learn more about their domestic services and fare types in The Guide to Flights in Tonga, as well as in 10 Tips for Flying in Tonga.
More About Which Airlines Fly to Tonga
- The Complete Guide to Nuku’alofa Airport Tonga TT007
- How Much Does it Cost to Fly in Tonga?
- Where Can You Fly to in Tonga?
Author
Laura S.
This article was reviewed and published by Laura, editor in chief and co-founder of Tonga Pocket Guide. Since arriving solo in the South Pacific over 10 years ago with nothing but a backpack and a background in journalism, her mission has been to show the world how easy (and awesome) it is to explore a paradise such as Tonga. She knows the islands inside-out and loves sharing tips on how best to experience Tonga’s must-dos and hidden gems. Laura is also editor of several other South Pacific travel guides.