How to get to | Cook Islands

This is part of a series of blog entries on how to get to countries and places. Here is a link to the index. I plan to eventually cover every country and some other places. If you have a request for a particular country or place please use the email me link at top right, or leave a comment.

Cook Islands

Almost everyone arrives at the Cook Islands by air at Rarotonga airport. Options are limited:

• Star Alliance - Air New Zealand (from Auckland, Christchurch and Los Angeles)
• Oneworld - none
• Sky Team - none
• Other - Air Tahiti* (from Papeete), Pacific Blue (from Auckland)

* Note Air Tahiti is the shorthaul Tahitian airline, not Air Tahiti Nui which operates longhaul.

TIP Fares from Auckland are relatively cheap, except in school holidays or if there is a major event on in the Cook Islands.

TIP Air New Zealand has through-fares from UK and USA to New Zealand and Australia that allow an en-route stopover at Cook Islands, Samoa or Tonga for little or no extra $.

TIP Awards in business class between USA and New Zealand are easier to get via the islands than on non-stop flights.

TIP On a Star Alliance round the world fare, which is distance based, it is much more efficient to fly Auckland to Rarotonga to Los Angeles or vice versa than doubling back via Auckland (Los Angeles to Auckland to Rarotonga to Auckland).