Superdeals: 40–80% off flights from North America to East Timor
Never overpay for flights again. Use our curated Superdeals and fly to Dili from all major airports in US and Canada at a fraction of the normal fare.
Free Superdeals
Why are flights to East Timor so expensive now?
Limited air connectivity and lack of direct flights from North America to East Timor drive prices up, as passengers need to make multiple connections through major Southeast Asian hubs.
Airfares from North America to East Timor have increased significantly, with round-trip economy tickets from Los Angeles to Dili now averaging $2,200-2,800, up from typical $1,400-1,800 range in previous years. The route requires at least two connections, usually through Singapore, Jakarta, or Bali, with limited frequency of flights to Dili’s Presidente Nicolau Lobato International Airport. Singapore Airlines’ recent reduction of codeshare agreements with Air Timor has further restricted options and increased prices.
The withdrawal of Sriwijaya Air from the Denpasar-Dili route in late 2023 removed one of the most economical connection options. Currently, only Citilink Indonesia and Air Timor operate regular flights to Dili, giving them significant control over pricing on final leg connections.
North America to East Timor: average fares
Here are the most common flight routes from major North American cities to East Timor’s international airports, with average round-trip economy fares from the past 12 months:
| Route | High Season | Low Season | Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Los Angeles (LAX) – Dili (DIL) | $1,850 | $1,450 | $1,650 |
| San Francisco (SFO) – Dili (DIL) | $1,900 | $1,500 | $1,700 |
| Vancouver (YVR) – Dili (DIL) | $2,100 | $1,600 | $1,850 |
| New York (JFK) – Dili (DIL) | $2,200 | $1,700 | $1,950 |
| Toronto (YYZ) – Dili (DIL) | $2,300 | $1,800 | $2,050 |
Average price round-trip
$1840
Average Superdeal price round-trip
$735
Cheapest Superdeal price round-trip
$460
Meet Superdeals. Save 40–80% on every flight.
You can save between 40-80% on your international flights with Air Traveler Club’s Superdeals. A regular round-trip ticket from Chicago to Dili, East Timor typically costs around $1,800, but with Superdeals, you can find it for as low as $650.
These heavily discounted airfares pop up throughout the year for various APAC destinations. You just pick the deal that matches your travel plans and book directly with the airline offering the discount.
Sample Superdeals to East Timor
- Los Angeles to Dili: $1,650 → $495. Garuda Indonesia via Jakarta, 2 stops, long layover but great value.
- Toronto to Dili: $2,050 → $899. Singapore Airlines codeshare with Air Timor, connecting through Singapore.
- New York to Dili: $1,950 → $780. Korean Air partnership flight via Seoul, comfortable connection times.
Non-stop vs layover flights to East Timor
Time vs money: understanding your options
Direct flight routes to East Timor
There are currently no direct flights from North America to East Timor (Dili International Airport).
- No non-stop routes available from any US or Canadian city
- Minimum of one connection required for all North American departures
Layover/stopover options
Singapore (SIN) – Primary hub for connections to Dili via Air Timor. Excellent facilities, efficient immigration. Singapore Airlines offers reliable connections with average layover times of 5-8 hours.
Denpasar, Bali (DPS) – Main gateway via Citilink and Air Timor services to Dili. More budget-friendly connection point with typical layover times of 4-6 hours. Shopping and hotels nearby for extended layovers.
Darwin, Australia (DRW) – Closest major airport to Dili with Airnorth connections. Compact airport with straightforward transfers. Average connection times of 3-5 hours.
Time vs money
Multiple layovers typically reduce ticket prices but increase total journey time significantly. Single-layover routes through Singapore or Bali generally offer the best balance of cost and travel time.
| Route type | Average duration | Roundtrip Price Range |
|---|---|---|
| Single layover (via SIN) | 28-32 hours | $1,800-2,400 |
| Double layover | 35-40 hours | $1,400-1,900 |
| Extended stopover | 48+ hours | $1,600-2,200 |
Tips and recommendations
- Book separate tickets to Singapore during off-peak seasons for potential savings of 20-30%
- Consider routing through Darwin if visiting during dry season (April-October) for more reliable connections
- Allow minimum 6-hour layovers when self-connecting through major Asian hubs
- Singapore-Dili flights often have limited schedules, book these segments first and plan other connections accordingly
- Avoid booking final leg to Dili during Indonesian national holidays when fares spike significantly
Smart route hacks for North America → East Timor flights
Save extra with lesser-known paths and connections
- Singapore Airlines via Singapore offers the most reliable connection to Dili, with total journey times from West Coast airports averaging 24 hours. Their Economy Class features 32-inch pitch seats on their A350s and 787s used on transpacific routes, consistently rated among the best for long-haul comfort. Connections in Singapore’s Changi Airport are typically 3-4 hours, allowing time to utilize the free city tour program during longer layovers.
- Travelers from Eastern Canada can save up to 30% by routing through Tokyo on ANA, connecting to Garuda Indonesia services to Dili via Denpasar. ANA’s premium economy product offers 38-inch pitch seats on their 777-300ERs, making the longest segment more comfortable. The downside is longer total journey time, usually around 28-30 hours.
- For travelers originating from Western US cities, consider Korean Air’s services via Seoul to Denpasar, then connecting to regional carriers to Dili. Their recently renovated A330-300 fleet features improved economy seats with 33-inch pitch and better recline angles than competitors on transpacific routes.
- Budget-conscious travelers should look for deals on Philippine Airlines routing through Manila, especially during shoulder season (April-May and September-October). Their A330-300s offer decent 32-inch pitch in economy, and fares can be up to 40% lower than Singapore Airlines options, though service levels and connection reliability are generally lower.
- From major Canadian hubs, combine separate tickets using Air Canada to Bangkok or Singapore, then utilizing regional low-cost carriers for the final leg to Dili. While this requires self-transfer and baggage rechecking, savings can exceed 45% compared to single-ticket options, particularly when booking 4-5 months in advance.
Common mistakes
How to avoid costly pitfalls that can ruin your travels
- Booking separate tickets to Dili Many travelers make the costly error of booking separate tickets through Jakarta or Bali instead of utilizing alliance partnerships between North American carriers and Garuda Indonesia or Air Timor for smoother connections and baggage transfers.
- Ignoring Darwin as a gateway Despite Darwin, Australia being the most reliable and frequent connection point to Dili, travelers often overlook this routing option and instead choose longer, more complicated paths through Southeast Asian hubs.
- Flying during wet season Booking flights between December and March can lead to frequent delays or cancellations due to heavy rains and poor visibility at Presidente Nicolau Lobato International Airport.
- Not allowing enough connection time in transit hubs Given the limited frequency of flights to Dili, passengers often schedule tight connections in Singapore or Bali, risking missing their final leg to East Timor.
- Assuming Dili airport operates 24/7 The airport in Dili has limited operating hours and no night landing facilities, so travelers need to ensure their arriving flights align with the airport’s daytime operational schedule.
Coming-up airline promotions to East Timor
Which carriers have sales and special offers for January, February, March, and beyond?
We track and curate genuine offers from 150+ airlines, hand-picking only the most valuable for your wallet.
See the upcoming offers for flights to Dili :
Best airlines for flights to East Timor from North America
Balanced choice for service, comfort and value
Singapore Airlines
Best for: Superior service quality and most comfortable Economy seats on routes to East Timor.
Operates from 12 North American airports, with main departures from Los Angeles, San Francisco, and New York (JFK). Flights to Dili require one stop in Singapore, with well-coordinated connections. Economy Class features 32-inch seat pitch, acclaimed Singapore Girl service, and award-winning meals with local Asian specialties. Passenger rating: 4.5/5 for transpacific routes.
Qantas
Best for: Most reliable schedules and shortest overall journey times to East Timor.
Serves 8 North American cities, primarily from Dallas, Los Angeles, and Vancouver. Connection through Darwin provides quickest access to Dili. Economy offers 30-inch seat pitch with ergonomic design and high-quality Australian wines complimentary. Modern entertainment system includes Timorese content. Passenger rating: 4.3/5 for long-haul flights.
Garuda Indonesia
Best for: Most authentic Southeast Asian experience with best regional cuisine.
Connects from 5 North American airports, mainly Los Angeles, New York (JFK), and Seattle through codeshare partners. Requires stop in Jakarta or Denpasar. Economy Class provides 31-inch seat pitch, traditional Indonesian hospitality, and celebrated regional menu options. Passenger rating: 4.2/5 for international routes.
Air Timor
Best for: Most direct cultural connection to East Timor with local crew and service.
Partners with major carriers to serve 4 North American cities, primarily from Los Angeles, San Francisco, and Vancouver. Operates final leg to Dili through Singapore or Darwin. Economy offers 30-inch seat pitch, Timorese-inspired meals, and unique local touch in service. Passenger rating: 4.0/5 for regional flights.
Using regional airlines to your advantage
Another strategy for cheaper flights to East Timor
Smart routing to East Timor using regional carriers
Getting to East Timor from North America can be expensive, but leveraging regional Asian carriers can significantly reduce costs. Instead of booking a single long-haul ticket, consider breaking your journey into segments.
- Book separate tickets: Secure a main flight to a major Asian hub like Singapore, Jakarta, or Bali using traditional carriers
- Utilize regional airlines: From these hubs, connect to Dili using carriers like Air Timor, Citilink, or Nam Air, often at lower rates than including these segments in a single ticket
- Strategic stopover points: Bali (DPS) and Singapore (SIN) typically offer the most competitive regional connections to Dili
Key money-saving opportunities include booking regional segments during promotional periods, which happen frequently among Asian carriers. Airlines like AirAsia and Citilink regularly offer flash sales that can reduce the cost of reaching Dili by up to 40%.
When using this strategy, ensure at least six hours between flights on separate tickets to account for potential delays and immigration procedures. While this approach requires more planning, savings can exceed $500 compared to traditional single-ticket bookings.
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