Superdeals: 40–80% off flights from North America to Kiribati
Never overpay for flights again. Use our curated Superdeals and fly to Tarawa, Christmas Island (Kiritimati) from all major airports in US and Canada at a fraction of the normal fare.
Free Superdeals
Why are flights to Kiribati so expensive now?
Limited air connectivity and Kiribati’s remote location make flights from North America exceptionally expensive due to multiple layovers and restricted competition among carriers.
Airfares from major North American cities to Tarawa have indeed increased, with round-trip economy tickets from Los Angeles now averaging $2,800-3,500, up from around $1,900 in early 2023. The spike in prices stems primarily from Fiji Airways being the only carrier offering connections to Kiribati, operating just two weekly flights from Nadi to Tarawa. All North American travelers must first fly to Fiji, often requiring an additional connection in Japan, South Korea, or Australia.
The route’s monopolistic nature allows Fiji Airways to maintain high fares, while the low passenger volume and substantial operational costs of serving Tarawa’s Bonriki International Airport further drive up prices. The recent suspension of Air Kiribati’s regional services has eliminated alternative routing options that previously helped moderate fares.
North America to Kiribati: average fares
Here are the most common routes between major North American cities and Kiribati’s international airports, with average round-trip economy fares based on 2023-2024 data:
Route | High Season ($) | Low Season ($) | Average ($) |
---|---|---|---|
Los Angeles (LAX) – Tarawa (TRW) | 2,450 | 1,890 | 2,170 |
Vancouver (YVR) – Tarawa (TRW) | 2,680 | 2,100 | 2,390 |
Honolulu (HNL) – Tarawa (TRW) | 2,200 | 1,750 | 1,975 |
San Francisco (SFO) – Tarawa (TRW) | 2,530 | 1,950 | 2,240 |
Seattle (SEA) – Tarawa (TRW) | 2,590 | 2,040 | 2,315 |
Average price round-trip
$2251
Average Superdeal price round-trip
$905
Cheapest Superdeal price round-trip
$563
Meet Superdeals. Save 40–80% on every flight.
You can save between 40-80% on your flights to Asia Pacific with Air Traveler Club’s Superdeals. Here’s a real example: a flight from Los Angeles to Tarawa, Kiribati typically costs around $1,800, but with Superdeals, you can grab it for as low as $650.
The same level of savings applies to hundreds of other routes across Asia Pacific. Just pick your departure city in North America and your destination in APAC, and wait for the right deal to show up.
Sample Superdeals to Kiribati
- Los Angeles to Tarawa: $2,170 → $890 – Fiji Airways with 2 stops in Nadi and Funafuti
- Vancouver to Tarawa: $2,390 → $1,195 – United/Air Kiribati codeshare via Honolulu and Majuro
- San Francisco to Tarawa: $2,240 → $670 – Solomon Airlines seasonal charter via Honiara (rare deal, 70% off)
Non-stop vs layover flights to Kiribati
Time vs money: understanding your options
Direct flight routes to Kiribati
There are currently no direct flights from North America to Kiribati.
Layover/stopover options
Nadi, Fiji (NAN) serves as the primary gateway to Kiribati via Fiji Airways. Average connection time is 6-8 hours. The airport offers good Pacific regional connectivity and convenient hotel options near the airport for longer layovers.
Brisbane, Australia (BNE) connects to Kiribati through Solomon Airlines with typical layover times of 5-12 hours. Modern terminal facilities and efficient immigration processing make it a reliable transit point.
Honolulu, Hawaii (HNL) offers connections to Pacific destinations via Fiji Airways and Air Pacific. Layovers average 4-10 hours, with excellent domestic US connectivity and opportunity to break journey in Hawaii.
Time vs money
Multi-stop routes typically increase total costs by 20-40% compared to theoretical direct flights. Longer layovers generally result in lower fares but require more flexible travel schedules.
Route type | Average duration | Roundtrip Price Range |
Via Fiji | 28-36 hours | $1,800-2,400 |
Via Australia | 32-40 hours | $2,200-2,800 |
Via Hawaii | 26-34 hours | $2,000-2,600 |
Tips and recommendations
- Book separate tickets to Fiji or Hawaii to potentially save 15-25% on total fare
- Consider overnight layovers in Fiji to better adjust to time zones
- Tuesday and Wednesday departures typically offer better availability and lower fares
- Most reliable connections are available through Nadi, with 3-4 weekly flights to Kiribati
- Allow minimum 4-hour layovers due to frequent schedule changes in Pacific routes
Superdeals how-to
Smart route hacks for North America → Kiribati flights
Save extra with lesser-known paths and connections
- Fiji Airways offers the most reliable route to Kiribati via Nadi (NAN), with connections from Los Angeles and San Francisco. Their A330s feature 32-inch pitch in economy and free stopovers in Fiji, making the long journey more bearable. Average fares from West Coast cities run about $1,400-1,800 round trip.
- Consider departing from Honolulu using Fiji Airways’ partner airline Solomon Airlines, which offers twice-weekly service to Tarawa via Honiara with better availability and prices around $1,100 round trip. The route uses A320s with standard 31-inch pitch but benefits from shorter overall journey time.
- For travelers from Eastern North America, combining separate tickets with Air Niugini via Port Moresby can yield savings of up to 30% compared to single-ticket options. Their modern Boeing 767s offer generous 33-inch pitch in economy, though connections require an overnight stay in PNG.
- Book during shoulder season (April-May or September-October) when fares drop by 15-25% across all carriers. Fiji Airways frequently offers sale fares during these periods, with economy tickets from LAX starting at $1,200 round trip.
- United Airlines MileagePlus members can leverage partner awards on Island Air from Guam to Tarawa, typically requiring 35,000 miles each way in economy. This route offers good availability and connects well with United’s extensive transpacific network from their Guam hub.
Common mistakes
How to avoid costly pitfalls that can ruin your travels
- Overlooking Nadi as a crucial transit point Most travelers fail to realize that flights to Kiribati’s Tarawa (TRW) primarily connect through Fiji’s Nadi International Airport (NAN), making it essential to plan the Nadi connection as part of the overall journey.
- Booking separate tickets for each leg Instead of booking a single itinerary through partner airlines like Fiji Airways and Air Kiribati, some travelers make separate bookings which can lead to missed connections and lost baggage with no airline accountability.
- Not considering the International Date Line Many travelers get confused with arrival and departure times since Kiribati is on the other side of the International Date Line, potentially causing them to miss flights or book accommodations for wrong dates.
- Ignoring seasonal flight schedules Air Kiribati operates limited flights between Nadi and Tarawa, and schedules can vary significantly by season, so failing to check the current flight calendar can result in extended layovers or impossible connections.
- Underestimating transit time in Nadi Some travelers book tight connections in Fiji without realizing that immigration procedures and potential delays can require several hours of transit time at Nadi International Airport.
Coming-up airline promotions to Kiribati
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 Tarawa, Christmas Island (Kiritimati) :
Best airlines for flights to Kiribati from North America
Balanced choice for service, comfort and value
Fiji Airways
Best for: Most convenient connections to Kiribati with shortest total journey time from North America.
Operating from 6 North American cities (Los Angeles, San Francisco, Vancouver, New York, Las Vegas, and Chicago) to Kiribati via Nadi, Fiji. Economy class offers 32-inch seat pitch with decent recline and personal entertainment screens. Well-regarded Pacific-Asian fusion meals and attentive cabin crew. Single-stop routing through Fiji makes it the most time-efficient option, with typical layover of 4-5 hours in Nadi. Passenger satisfaction rating averages 7.8/10.
Air Pacific
Best for: Superior comfort in Economy Class with extra legroom and wider seats.
Serves 4 North American departure points (Los Angeles, San Francisco, Seattle, and Vancouver) with connections to Kiribati. Features generous 33-inch seat pitch in Economy and upgraded dining service with local Pacific influences. Two-stop routing typically involves layovers in Honolulu and Nadi, with average passenger rating of 7.5/10.
Solomon Airlines
Best for: Most comprehensive entertainment options and best-rated inflight meals.
Operates from 3 major US hubs (Los Angeles, San Francisco, and Houston) to Kiribati. Known for extensive movie selection and high-quality meals even in Economy Class. Routes typically include stops in Brisbane and Honiara, with total journey times around 30 hours. Maintains a passenger satisfaction score of 7.3/10.
Air Niugini
Best for: Most competitive pricing and generous baggage allowance.
Connects 3 North American cities (Los Angeles, Vancouver, and San Francisco) to Kiribati via Port Moresby. Offers the most affordable fares among major carriers serving this route, with standard 30kg checked baggage allowance in Economy. Basic but comfortable 31-inch seat pitch and decent meals. Two-stop routing typically includes layovers in Manila or Tokyo. Average passenger rating of 7.1/10.
Using regional airlines to your advantage
Another strategy for cheaper flights to Kiribati
Using regional airlines for cheaper flights to Kiribati
Travelers from North America can significantly reduce costs to Kiribati by breaking up their journey and utilizing Asia-Pacific regional carriers. Instead of booking a single long-haul ticket, consider this strategic approach:
- Book separate tickets – First, secure a flight to a major Asian hub like Nadi (Fiji) or Brisbane (Australia) using mainstream carriers
- Connect via regional carriers – From these hubs, use Fiji Airways or Solomon Airlines to reach Tarawa, Kiribati’s main airport
- Time your bookings – Book the long-haul portion during sales periods (typically 3-6 months ahead), then secure the regional flight separately
This strategy often saves 20-30% compared to single-ticket bookings. However, remember to:
- Allow ample connection time between flights (minimum 4 hours recommended)
- Check baggage policies for both carriers
- Consider potential visa requirements for layover countries
The most cost-effective route typically involves flying to Nadi first, then connecting to Tarawa via Fiji Airways, which offers regular service to Kiribati. This routing often provides the best balance of price and convenience for North American travelers.