‘Never been easier’: Fiji Airways flight review Nadi to Sydney as a family

As I waited to board a flight with my two-year-old in tow, I had knots in my stomach as for the next four hours — I had no idea what I was going to get.

As soon as I arrived at Sydney International Airport at the delightful hour of 3am on a Friday morning, knots filled my stomach.

My toddler, who I’d woken just thirty minutes prior, was in no mood to be whisked through the brightness and buzz of Australia’s busiest terminal — and nor was her ‘not-alway-great-morning-people’ parents.

But as soon as we shuffled to the front of the Fiji Airways queue, our passports checked and our boarding passes issued — the mood suddenly lifted.

“Enjoy your time in Fiji,” the ground staff beamed.

And with coffee in the air and a quick pastry at the gate — we stepped on board our first international flight as a family (sleep-deprived and all) — and to my surprise, it couldn’t have been better.

FJ914: The flight, food and entertainment from Sydney to Nadi

There’s an unusual amount of anxiety that comes when flying with a toddler — you never really know what you’re going to get once on board.

As we navigated the aisle to our seat-of-three in row 31, the friendliest of cabin crew were at the ready to assist with our bags and getting comfortably seated in any way they could.

I did my first every overseas flight with my toddler on board Fiji Airways. This is how it played out.

Fiji Airways flies twice daily from Sydney, and the same from Nadi, with the journey from Australia slightly shorter than the return.

Taking our seats, with our toddler between us, we were in the air and on our way right on time. Despite the early flight, and the tired eyes that set in midway through, the timing actually worked in our favour — with the little one drifting off for a solid two hours of the journey.

Our row in economy gave us plenty of space to stretch out and for our toddler's nap.

Economy on board Fiji Airways flight from Sydney to Nadi.

Meanwhile, I was able to sit back and — gasps all around — actually relax in silence with a movie of my choosing (sorry, Moana).

Within an hour, breakfast was served. I opted for the hot vegetarian breakfast, which was potatoes, baked beans and a side of spinach, while a kids meal was delicately placed next to our sleeping daughter for later.

The kids meal in economy on board the Fiji Airways flight.

My meal in economy on board the Fiji Airways flight.

What really stood out for me was the amount of room in economy. Despite having a toddler climbing across us to take a peak out the window whenever she could — there was ample space for her to draw, read and play with her toys during the flight.

It goes without saying, but the key to an almost relaxing flight with a toddler isdistraction, distraction and more distraction. So pack a few new gadgets (we road-tested a colouring kit and some games from Lovevery which were fantastic and super easy pop in carry-on) — and it made a huge difference when a little screen time wouldn’t suffice.

Distraction. distraction. distraction. The key to a relatively seamless toddler flight. These colouring kits from Lovevery were great.

The window seat offered as a form of entertainment as we cruised from Sydney to Nadi.

For the moments of quiet time, there was plenty of up-to-date movies and TV shows for both young and old(er), and given the shortness of the trip (and the fact we landed slightly ahead of schedule) — it felt like we left Sydney’s winter for the sunny skies of Fiji in the blink of an eye.

Upon arrival, we were met by one of the ground staff as part of the airline’s brand new ‘Premier Service’ offerings. Available to anyone for around $117 with family packages available, the service allows a Fiji Airways passenger to be met at the gate by ground staff, and enjoy fast-tracked immigration, expedited customs processing, priority boarding and personalised assistance at Nadi International Airport.

FJ911: The flight, food and entertainment from Nadi to Sydney

The flight back was a real treat. Hello business class!

Often when I fly, I count down the minutes to the destination. But for this flight — four hours on board was not nearly enough.

After checking in at an almost empty Nadi International airport at 6am, we whisked through security and towards Fiji Airways premier class lounge in a matter of minutes.

Fiji Airways Premier Lounge in Nadi is spacious and even has a kids corner.

The lounge was spacious and included a great kids corner with some toys, games and a kids movie running around the clock.

The buffet was serving your standard breakfast essentials — eggs, bacon, fresh fruit, pancakes and Bircher muesli — and yes, there was a barista working his magic.

We stepped onto the A350 and — squeals — turned left at the galley.

As far as comfort in the air goes, this seat on board Fiji Airways was pretty bloody good and in the A350 business cabin, there’s 33 of them.

Champagne on a 9am flight? You know it.

Taking our seats, I was quickly offered a warm towel alongside a juice or champagne while we settled in for the next four hours to Sydney.

My toddler was seated next to me, and while I had so many nerves about what she might do in the fancy part of the plane — the sheer novelty of having a remote controlled seat, snacks on tap and Moana on repeat kept her quiet for the first hour. Then, to my surprise … it was lights out.

While she slept, I enjoyed the airline’s hospitality and entertainment — all while stretched out in my flat-lay seat.

The breakfast menu had options for both the savoury and sweet tooth among us, I opted for the pancakes with orange curd.

The coffee was fresh and the mugs about the size of my head. Perfect for an early morning flight.

The menu covered off options for both the savoury and the sweet tooth among us, with a plate of fresh fruit and a stack of the banana pancakes with orange curd taking my fancy for breakfast.

The coffee – one of the biggest let downs on a flight in my experience — felt fresh, and was served in a mug about the size of my head.

The entertainment had some of the latest flicks — while the box-sets had everything from current to classics available. And while I didn’t quite get the chance, if you’re in the mood for a good read — all guests receive free access to PressReader with more 7,000 publications on hand.

A little perk which I didn’t realise until we were in the air was the free WI-FI available to all guests on board (if you’re on an A350 or the Boeing 737 Max 8 aircraft, that is), while business class passengers got the full stack — with complete-flight internet connectivity.

The breakfast menu in business class from Nadi to Sydney.

With plenty of legroom and entertainment to match, I subbed out the coffee for a final champagne before touchdown.

With Fiji being such a family-friendly destination, that same mantra flowed on board — and so even when my toddler jumped awake and decided she wanted to do a few aisle-to-galley hot laps, fellow passengers appeared unphased.

Overall experience and three ‘must bring’ items on board

Ranked 12th in the World’s Best Airlines for 2025, according to Airlineratings.com, it’s not hard to see why Fiji Airways is a popular carrier especially for those with little ones in tow.

With baggage allowances of 23kg per person in economy (or 30kg if you’re seated in the pointy end), I truly couldn’t recommend a carrier more. And to be honest, after flying business with bub from Nadi to Sydney, it’s a flight that will be hard to beat. Let’s be real, flying will never be the same again after this.

The overall experience was warm and fuss-free, with cabin crew professional and helpful throughout.

The airline recently started its new Nadi-Dallas route, meaning it has also adopted the American Airlines AAdvantage travel rewards program, with redemption capabilities on both airlines.

On board, you won’t miss the Sustainability Framework ‘Maroroya’ message, which is played out on screen. The messaging details the airline’s sustainability mission, as well as some of the initiatives that are already in play. As part of the OneWorld alliance, Fiji Airways has a shared commitment to achieve net-zero carbon emissions by 2050.

Any Fiji Airways passenger can purchase entry to the Premier Lounge at Nadi International Airport for around AU$93 — and from experience, it’s a great way to ease into your outbound adventure.

The writer flew as a guest of Fiji Airways