Airline review: Fiji Airways, Airbus A330-300 business class, Nadi-Vancouver

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Airline review: Fiji Airways, Airbus A330-300 business class, Nadi-Vancouver

By Sheriden Rhodes
In business class there are leather angled lie-flat seats in a 2-2-2 configuration.

In business class there are leather angled lie-flat seats in a 2-2-2 configuration.

THE FLIGHT

Fiji Airways flight FJ880 Nadi (NAN) to Vancouver (YVR); Airbus A330-300 aircraft in business class, seat 1K (window). The aircraft flies 313 passengers between two classes with 24 business class seats and 289 economy seats (main cabin). The captain says our flight time is 11 hours and five minutes and we depart and land right on time. FJ flies the new route twice weekly, departing Nadi at 10.15pm.

THE LOYALTY SCHEME

The seats are not fully flat, but recline considerably to about 170 degrees.

The seats are not fully flat, but recline considerably to about 170 degrees.

Tabua Club costs $FJ799 ($531) to sign up and $FJD699 to renew annually. It provides business class passengers with access to 13 lounges, priority check-in, additional baggage allowance and a business class upgrade based on points.

CARBON EMISSIONS

Nadi to Vancouver generates about 600 kilograms of CO2 per passenger. Fiji Airways plants a tree for every international take-off on its network.

CHECKING IN

I'm the first passenger to check in for the inaugural November Nadi-Vancouver flight (connecting from Sydney) where most passengers are stopping in Fiji. I drop off my bag and collect a boarding pass in less than 10 minutes. It's the first time I've flown overseas since COVID-19 and surprisingly there's barely any wait at security and passport control. Before I know it, I'm having a coffee in the Qantas business class lounge (FJ's partner airline lounge in Sydney). At Nadi Airport there's a 2.5 hour wait for the flight to Vancouver (and a change of aircraft). I access the Fiji Airways Premier Lounge where I have a shower, a snack and a (stiff) G&T.

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THE SEAT

In business class there are leather angled lie-flat seats in a 2-2-2 configuration with 15.4 inch personal entertainment screens, USB port and generous storage space. Seats are 21 inches wide with a 60 inch pitch. While I'm disappointed the seats are not fully flat (like those on the A350-900 connecting flight from Sydney), the seat reclines considerably – about 170 degrees – while a fold-out footrest stops you slipping down while sleeping. After dinner the cabin crew make up the seat for sleep with a mattress topper and quilt in addition to the pillow and eco-plastic-wrapped blanket already on each seat, making it super comfortable. I make use of the privacy screen when I recline the seat. For this night-time flight I'm also given a hot towel, tapa print amenity kit, in-flight menu and bottle of Fiji Water. Orders are taken before take-off ensuring swift service once we're in the air.

BAGGAGE

Check-in baggage of 30 kilograms, two pieces of cabin luggage of seven kilograms or under plus a laptop bag or purse. Be wary if flying domestically with Fiji Airways to the outer islands (which I do on the return leg). The domestic baggage allowance is 15 kilograms and they charge you for excess luggage.

ENTERTAINMENT

There's a good selection of blockbuster and international movies, latest TV series, more than 550 albums, audio books, radio channels, games and more. I watch two newish releases I've been wanting to see including Elvis and Downton Abbey: A New Era. Passengers also have access to PressReader with more than 7000 international newspapers and magazines available to download directly to their own device 96 hours before departure until 24 hours after the flight.

SERVICE

The Fiji Airways crew – surely the happiest in the air - are warm and chatty as they serve dinner and prepare the cabin for lights-out. A male attendant says they're excited to be visiting Vancouver for the first time and hope to see snow and go ice-skating. I spot the same crew at the airport on the return leg prior to departure and they wave me over and tell me what they've been up to.

FOOD

Dinner is served shortly after takeoff and a revamped business class menu from Kiwi-Fijian chef Richard Cross includes new signature dishes such as kava and cinnamon ice-cream along with dehydrated vegetable garnishes and boba pearls. There's a choice of two entrees, three mains and two desserts. I opt for the Kokoda (Fijian ceviche) and a generous main of zesty orange chicken with jasmine rice, grilled red capsicum, sauteed snake beans, red onions and fried crispy cassava shavings. It's accompanied by crusty sourdough and salad. I forego the cookies and cream banoffee parfait in lieu of fresh fruit for dessert.

There's also a tight but good wine selection including a fabulous Justin Wines cabernet. I order breakfast but tick the "do not disturb" box if I am found asleep and (thankfully) I am.

ONE MORE THING

It's well worth accessing the Fiji Airways Premier Lounge at Nadi International Airport (free for business class passengers; $FJ$99 or $AU66 for any other passenger flying with FJ) for the 2.5 hour layover before the flight to Vancouver.

Fiji Airways now offers "Resort Check-In" at the InterContinental Fiji Golf Resort and Spa, Sofitel Fiji Resort and Spa and the Sheraton Fiji Golf and Beach Resort meaning passengers can check into their international flight to Australia and New Zealand directly at the resort (great if you stopover for some R&R on way home from Canada). Boarding passes are issued, bags are tagged and securely transported to the airport meaning passengers can head straight for security and immigration.

VERDICT

Departing Fiji and waking up to Vancouver's snow dusted mountains after a long and restful sleep (7.5 hours)? Magic.

OUR RATING OUT OF FIVE

★★★★

Sheriden Rhodes flew courtesy of Fiji Airways, see fijiairways.com

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