From October 20th, 2018, United Airlines are launching a brand new shiny service between San Francisco (SFO) and Papeete, Tahiti (PPT). As a celebration of the new route to Tahiti United Airlines will be sending one lucky person and their even luckier guest on an all expenses paid trip to the Polynesian island.

The new route will run nonstop three time per week. Flying days are scheduled for Tuesdays, Thursdays and Sundays, and will be served by a Boeing 787 Dreamliner. Tickets are available to purchase now, and the route is planned to run until at least March 28th, 2019.

Vice President of United’s International Network, Patrick Quayle, said:

"We are excited to announce Tahiti as our 13th international destination this year and we are even more thrilled about offering our customers a whole new world of vacation opportunities”

To celebrate the start of this new route, United are laying on a grand prize for a very special person. They are looking to find America's biggest workaholic and are asking people to nominate potential candidates via their website.

United airlines route to tahiti
Here's where Tahiti is, in case you weren't sure... Image: Google

The American workaholic epidemic

According to research, the average number of vacation days taken in the US last year was just 17.2. That’s way less than the average allowed vacation days by employer. As a result, more than half of working Americans ended the financial year with holiday days still owing, for which some got paid but a huge number simply forfeited.

When it comes to Tahiti United Airlines think it’s the perfect place for hardworking Americans to vacation. Dubbed by the airline a ‘Polynesian paradise’, travellers taking a flight to Tahiti with United Airlines have ready access to a whole host of gorgeous destinations, including other South Pacific islands and the neighbouring French Polynesian islands too.

How to enter the United Airlines competition

As a certified workaholic, the effort required to take part in the contest should be child’s play. In order to enter, you need to do the following:

  • Nominate the biggest workaholic you know (it can be yourself)
  • Write a short story (around 300 words) on why you’re such a massive workhorse
  • Include a photo, if you want to
  • Submit your entry before 11:35 CT on 25th September 2018

United Airlines will judge the entries in partnership with Project: Time Off, an initiative aiming to get more Americans to take their vacation days and prioritise a better work-life balance.

The juicy prize

We think United Airlines have been super generous with this prize package. Flights from San Fran to the island will be in Polaris class, with a la carte menu and the expected pre-flight facilities (including the Polaris Lounge at SFO)  as well as lie flat beds on board.

In addition to flying you in luxury to Tahiti United Airlines will also be giving the lucky winner:

  • A 3-night stay at the Intercontinental Tahiti Resort and Spa
  • A 2-night stay at the Intercontinental Moorea Resort and Spa
  • A 2-night stay at the Maitai Rangiora
  • Roundtrip airfare from their hometown to Tahiti (through San Francisco)
  • Transportation between the islands
  • A choice of excursions in Tahiti and Moorea
  • $2,000 spending money for meals and other expenses

It’s a pretty compelling prize package, and one we wouldn’t mind getting our hands on. If you think you are, or know, the biggest workaholic in the whole US, why not have a go and enter the United Airlines competition? Winners will be announced on or after the 11th October 2018.