Yes, you can smoke at Tahiti Faa’a Airport (PPT). After security, the Air Tahiti Nui lounge has a semi-enclosed smoking area, and landside you can smoke in the open air at the curb.
Faa’a International Airport (Tahiti International Airport), about 5 km southwest of Papeete on reclaimed reef land, is French Polynesia’s sole international gateway. It is a compact single-storey complex with a mezzanine level and separate domestic and international zones under one largely open-air roof. Because much of the terminal is naturally ventilated and warm, smokers are rarely far from open air, and the options are simple: one lounge-gated spot beyond security and the open-air forecourt outside.
Where to Smoke
After security (airside)
The Air Tahiti Nui (Poerava/Club Tiare) lounge, on the upper mezzanine level, holds the only smoking spot beyond security: a semi-enclosed “green” smoking area with glass doors, a living plant wall and benches. It is not a fully enclosed indoor room — ventilation comes from the planted, semi-open design. Access is lounge-gated: you need Poerava Business or Club Tiare Gold status, or a paid Lounge Pass. There is no smoking facility at the gates or in the main concourse.
Landside (before security)
Smoking is open-air at the curb and forecourt outside the terminal — the natural place for a last cigarette before check-in or after you land. Travellers also report a dedicated open-air smoking area beside the domestic-zone food court that opened in 2024. Keep clear of doorways and other travellers; there are no other public smoking areas landside beyond these open-air spaces.
Planning your smoke break
PPT handles a small number of long-haul departures clustered around the middle of the day and late evening, and the compact terminal fills quickly at those peaks. On a premium fare, the Air Tahiti Nui lounge smoking area is the most comfortable option once you are through security. On an economy ticket without a Lounge Pass, plan to have your last cigarette at the open-air curb before you check in, since there is no public smoking spot at the gates and no easy way back landside once you are airside.
Vaping
Disposable single-use vapes are banned, while vaping is otherwise legal and restricted in enclosed public spaces the same way smoking is. For the full rules, see our French Polynesia airport smoking guide.
Summary
| Location | Smoking |
|---|---|
| After security (airside) | Yes – semi-enclosed area in the Air Tahiti Nui lounge (lounge access required) |
| Indoor terminal | No |
| Landside (open-air curb) | Yes – curb, forecourt, and the domestic-zone food court area |
For French Polynesia’s airport smoking rules and vaping law, see our French Polynesia airport smoking guide.