Nathan's Insights

Fiji Airways
Date: 29 November 2024
Flight Number: FJ934
Gate: 7
Seat: 1A & 2A (Business Class Seat)
Plane: Airbus A330-200
Boarded: 13:00
Pushback: 14:14 (Scheduled 13:35)
Lift off: 14:30
Arrived: 19:59 (Scheduled 19:15)
Duration: 4 hour 40 minutes
Distance: 3,867 kms

This flight was from Tullamarine International Airport (Melbourne, Australia) to  Nadi International Airport (Nadi, Fiji).

The Cost

I purchased this business flight as part of a reward ticket that covered Melbourne to Nadi, and Nadi to Los Angeles.  It cost 108,400 Qantas points x 2 (216,800 points) and $165.24 AUD x 2 ($330.48 AUD) for two business class flights on Fiji Airways.

To use cash to purchase business class seats on the same flights it would have cost $10,752.59 AUD (Biz Value Fare) each or $21,505.18.  A cheapest direct business class fare from Melbourne to Los Angeles on the same day would have cost $11,192 AUD on American Airlines.

The Airport Experience

Check In / Bag Drop / Border Control

The Fiji Airways Check in area was located at Counter M. At 10.50 am there were 8 passengers in front of us in the Premium line, and probably 100+ in the economy line.

It took 15 minutes for joining the Premiun line to having our bags checked. There were a lot of questions about our USA visa (ESTA) and flight detials to leave USA (we have a series of one way tickets for this trip).

Included with the award booking was up to 3 checked bag per person with maximum bag weight of 32kgs and a total 56kgs.  We each only had one bag to check in, with my bag weighing 10.8 kgs and Erin’s weighing 8.3 kgs.

For carry on 1 pack was allowed (14kgs)  plus a smaller bag (for example a handbag or laptop bag).  We both carried on to the flight our daypacks.

Border Control in Melbourne is easy to use as an Australian citizen. After a series of family photos with Erin and a tearly farewell from her mum, we entered the clearance area around 11:05. We were told to leave everything in our carry on bags which is different as you normally have to remove items like electronic devices.

Once you clear Border Control in Melbourne you walk through a huge Duty Free shop (you can’€™t avoid it) and then past some luxury high end (i.e. expensive) shops before coming across multiple food outlets. The airport is setup for you to spend as much as possible but I rarely take that option.

Lounges

As a Qantas Lifetime Gold Member and flying on a Oneworld Airline, or partner airline like Fiji Airways, even when flying economy I’ve entitled the Qantas Melbourne International Business Class Lounge.  As we were flying in Business Class we could have accessed this lounge even without my Gold member status access entitlements. 

The Lounge is a good way to relax and chat before the long day travelling. Lounge review is located here.

The Flight Experience

Boarding

This flight boarded from Gate 7.  Boarding commenced at 13:00 for business class and passengers with high frequent flyer status. As there was a premium boarding lane only those who were supposed to board in the first call did.

The Seat

Fiji Airways Airbus A330-200 has 24 angled-flat Business Class seats, across four rows of a 2-2-2 layout. The Business Class seating has a 60″ pitch, lie flat 8 degree bed, in-seat video with 15.4 inch monitors, in-seat power and entertainment on demand.

For this 4 hour 40 minute I selected window seats for us both in 1A and 2A.  If someone was in 1B or 2B there is no direct aisle access.  However for a short day time flight i thought a window would be the way to go. 

Erin ended up with a passenger in 1B, so no direct aisle access for her but easy to get passed that seat. However 2B next to me was empty. Of the 24 business class seats only 11 were occupied.

If needed the business seat does reclines to about 170 degrees, so not fully flat but fine for a short flight. A comfy pillow and eco-plastic-wrapped blanket are already on each seat.  

I found the seat comfortable except for the headrest which was not moveable and was at a height the pushed into the base of my head when leaning back. The pillow solved this issue but really the headrest should be adjustable.

For reference ecomony has 249 Economy Class seating in a 31-32″ pitch, 6″ recline, in-seat video with 9″‘ monitors, in-seat USB power and entertainment on demand.

Amenity Kit

For this short 4 hour 40 minute international flight there was no amenity kit provided which makes sense.

Meals and Drinks

After taking our seats we are offer a pre-flight drink (I choose an orange juice) and a hot scented towel (which was very nice). There was also a water bottle provided.

Orders are taken before take-off, ensuring speedy service later.

Only 25 minutes after take off the lunch service commenced. I had choosen; Drink: Coke Zero, Side: Cousous Salad, Main: Mushroom Alfredo, Desert: Vanilla Mousse, Bakery: Garlic Bread. I decline an offer or Tea or Coffee.

During the flight three times I have a Coke Zero and snack (assoicated nuts).

The food and drink service was ideal for this length of flight and tasty.

Facilities and Service

There was one forward toilet for use in the business cabin plus two toilets at the front of the economy cabin you could use for business class.

The flight attendants were exceptional. The pre flight drink and towel service was offered with a smile and the friendly service never stopped. In particular was was impressed how often flight attendents noticed my glass was empty and offered extra refreshments and snacks (assorted nuts).

Entertainment System

Fiji Airways€™ A330 Business Class seats have a 15.4 inch (39 cm) screen which you use a remote to control (it is not a touch screen).  Noise-cancelling headphones are provided which fitted me very well.  

There was a limited option of new release movies, large range of TV shows, games and a flight map available in the entertainment system.

For this flight I switched between listening to music, watching TV show Young Sheridan and watching the flight map.

The Flight

The flight was a little bumpy for the first two hours. Not enough to suspend services but enough for passengers to have to remain seated. The last 30 minutes also was a little bumpy as well.

The flight attendants did an excellent job. The food and drinks were ideal for this flight. The scent hot towels at both the start and end of the flight was a nice touch.

The entertinament system, while more limited than other airlines, had very good selections instead of having a big range of options you would not use. There was no wifi option on this flight.

The flight arriving almost 45 minutes late wasn’t great given we were transiting in Fiji. Originally we had 2 hours 25 minutes transiting so this cut it down but still allowed to transit without rushing or panic but I would not have like to be another 30 minutes late.

Arrival

During the flight we were informed we didn’t need to complete an arrivals form as we were transiting in Fiji only. The airbirdge connected to the door between business and economy meaning we were not the first passengers off the flight.

At Nadi Airport the area immmeidately outside the plane is open to the conditions with a roof protecting you from rain. It’s a nice touch as you feel the warm Fijian air as soon as you arrive.

We quickly found the transit line and were asked a number of USA border questions, as that is our final desitnation, and we were though to the boarding area in less than 5 minutes. I could see a line forming behind us.

Summary

Overall a very pleasant way to fly to Fiji. I would definintely use points for a business clase flight on this route but as usual perfer not to pay cash for business class.

Given the flight is under 5 hours economy it would be fine as well for either points of cash.

Note: For my next flight they waited for another Fiji Airways flight that was late so transiting from one Fiji Airways flight to another is probably safe even when there are major delays.