Flight from Samoa to American Samoa - Book Ahead?

Are the fares between Samoa and American Samoa fixed and is last-minute space generally available? Or do I need to book in advance to lock in a seat and/or a decent price?

We'll be heading to Samoa in May as a side trip from a few weeks in NZ. We're uncertain whether we'll pop over to American Samoa, and I'd prefer the flexibility of waiting to book that inter-island flight until we're in Samoa.

Thanks.

There usually are no special fares - so do not expect anything else than the rates published. In general, booking is always preferable as the seat capacity is very small, flights get cancelled due to aircraft problems, increasing the burden on the few other planes left to go with.

Quite frankly, I would just leave it as an option and when you can go, you just go. If you go at all, which mainly is a matter of your timeline. How long do you intend to stay in Samoa overall?

9 days, with 2-3 possibly in American Samoa.

You would miss the essence of a Pacific island holiday, which is: relax. Of course you can 'do' all Samoan islands in 9 days, even including American Samoa, even though I would not really know what to do there for 2-3 days. The real thing in American Samoa is the island of Ofu - and for that the time you have is too short, especially regarding the very unreliable air service over there.

So I suggest to leave it open, have a look at Upolu and Savaii first. And when you really think that you need to add another island, then just take any available flight to Pago, just as it comes.

9 days would be very rushed if you tried to fit in everything. I'd suggest you either split the 9 days evenly between Upolu & Savaii, or Upolu & Tutuila.

Personally I spent about 5.5 days on Upolu, 5.5 on Savaii, and 3.5 on Tutuila. That was a good pace for Samoa, but not nearly long enough for American Samoa. I could have easily spent another 3 days on Tutuila, and another full week heading to Tau & Ofu. I don't care to ever return to Samoa as it left a bad taste, but would love to revisit American Samoa.

In general I would recommend making reservations for everything. Samoans have a penchant for jacking up prices when you are there in person. Practically all of the fales tried to charge me more than the rate I reserved, and if it weren't for my printout I'd have been out of luck.

Even if you book on line beforehand, when you are in Apia I would actually go to the airline office and makes sure that they know that you really are planning on being on that flight. Too many other names can get put on the list with more clout (family connections) that get them on the flight bumping you off.

Has anyone mentioned that Lonely Planet named American Samoa as one of the Top Ten (5) destinations in the US for 2013?

It's only 80 miles and 20 minutes away. There's a reason AS is in the Top Ten. Explore.

From Pago Pago. John

What is the best way to get from Western Samoa to american Samoa? I know it's only 100KM does anyone know of a way to book a fairy or boat ride? I was told the airplanes only leave twice a week and can be more expensive.
However, I can not seem to find a way to actually Book a ride by boat.
Thank you

The best way is flying.
There are multiple flights daily between the countries on both Inter Island Airways & Polynesian Airlines. Cost is around $170 round trip.

The ferry schedule is much more restrictive. http://www.samoashipping.com is the website you want if you want to take the ferry.

Samoa Air (http://www.samoaair.ws/) offers flights as well- The fare is based on the weight of your and your baggage combined. A Kilo is a kilo is a kilo - that is how they call it. So three airlines with daily flights and the shipping line with one trip per week are your options.
And - just to mention it: There is no more Western Samoa ... Its just Samoa or Independent Samoa, in distinction to American Samoa which nobody would call Eastern Samoa too. The 'Western' was skipped in 1997 already.

Not many tourists go on the ferry but if you have the time and can rough things a bit it is worth the experience. Tutuila is a beautiful island as seen from the ocean.