Airline review: Alternative route to the US is an appealing option

The Airline: Fiji Airways

• Route Nadi to Los Angeles, flight FJ 810
• Frequency Daily
• Aircraft Airbus A350-900
• Class Business, seat 19K
• Flight time 10 hours

Fiji Airways operates a daily Nadi-Los Angeles service.

Checking in

I wait for my Los Angeles flight in transit at Nadi Airport, having arrived on an earlier flight from Melbourne; I’m breaking my Australia-US journey into two shorter legs. I had checked in earlier at Melbourne Airport via the airline’s efficient and friendly check-in desk, enjoying breakfast in the Qantas Business Lounge. In transit for the Los Angeles flight at Nadi, I have access to the Fiji Airways lounge, which is busy but comfortable.

Baggage

Business passengers are allowed two carry-on bags of 7 kilograms each and one personal item. The checked luggage allowance is three pieces of up to 30 kilograms each.

Loyalty scheme

Fiji Airways will adopt American Airlines’ AAdvantage scheme in 2025, allowing points to be earned toward the loyalty programs of OneWorld partners such as Qantas.

The seat

Fiji Airways Airbus A350-900 business class seating arrangement.

Business seats are arranged in a 1-2-1 configuration, in an angled arrangement. Seat pitch is 44 inches (112cm) and width 23 inches (58 cm), converting to an 80-inch (203 cm) flatbed. The inward-facing pairs of seats would suit couples travelling together, but if you don’t want to glance at a stranger, there’s a privacy partition. I’m in a single seat on the right-hand side and a touchscreen near my right hand adjusts the seat positions to upright, recline or flatbed. In the upright position, I find the seat a little uncomfortable as the headrest doesn’t lift enough for my height. In flatbed mode, the seat is quite firm and the attached bedding easily slides out of place when I turn. I catch a few hours of welcome sleep before arriving at LAX.

Entertainment + tech

Business passengers are entitled to free Wi-Fi, accessed via the code on a supplied scratch card. There’s a reasonable range of films in the entertainment selection though new releases seem skewed toward action movies and family-friendly animation. There are also TV shows, music and games. As the large screen is beyond easy reach, I use the wired touchpad navigator, which takes some getting used to. The provided power point and one of the USB charging ports aren’t working, but I’m able to recharge my phone via a second working USB port.

Service

Service is in the typical cheerful Fijian style which we all know and love, with lots of “Bula!” energy and smiling assistance.

Food

Supper and breakfast menus are augmented with Australian, NZ and US wines.

For supper, I choose the roasted tomato and basil soup, the grilled paneer kebab and a tropical fruit bowl, which are all excellent. The drinks menu has five wines diplomatically sourced from the airline’s key destinations (Australia, NZ, US) and various spirits and beers, but I stick to tomato juice. For breakfast, we complete a card, selecting from such delights as a pina colada parfait and Indian spiced savoury waffles. I choose the chia seed pudding and cheese omelette, both tasty.

Carbon emissions

2.113 tonnes for the entire journey in business from MEL to LAX with a stop in Nadi.

One more thing

Business passengers receive the usual amenities pack, but in an extra flourish, the bag itself and the enclosed eye mask bear an attractive traditional Fijian design.

The price

From $8800 return, Melbourne to Los Angeles in business class. Stopovers are allowed in Fiji and are exempt from departure taxes if staying less than 48 hours.

The verdict

As an alternative to rival airlines flying non-stop across the Pacific, the Nadi-LA flight coupled with a connection from Australia is appealing. Comfort is high and service is reliably good, so it’s worth casting an eye over this option next time you fancy an American getaway.

Our rating out of five

★★★★

The writer travelled as a guest of Fiji Airways (fijiairways.com).

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