5 issues I beloved about flying Fiji Airways enterprise class

If you’re struggling to redeem your factors and miles throughout the Pacific for lie-flat consolation, I’ve a tip for you.

It is an airline you won’t have thought-about when flying between North America and Australia or New Zealand that is primarily based on a tropical island archipelago with fewer than 1 million inhabitants.

I’ve flown dozens of airways in enterprise class, however my latest flight from Fiji to Dallas was my first time on Fiji Airways.

It has leaped into my checklist of high 5 airways I’ve flown — this is why.

Associated: Racing to Fiji: American Airways vs. Cathay Pacific vs. Fiji Airways

Good award availability with associate miles

Though a small airline when it comes to fleet dimension, Fiji Airways provides a number of transpacific routes on its flagship Airbus A350 plane, flying from the next mainland North American gateways to its hub at Fiji’s Nadi Worldwide Airport (NAN):

• Los Angeles Worldwide Airport (LAX)
• San Francisco Worldwide Airport (SFO)
• Dallas Fort Value Worldwide Airport (DFW)
• Vancouver Worldwide Airport (YVR) in British Columbia

Whereas business-class award availability throughout the Pacific could be exceptionally robust to search out, I’ve discovered Fiji Airways to be simpler to safe upfront on the lowest saver charges than Qantas- and American Airways-operated flights. Fiji Airways often releases further business-class award seats after preliminary seat availability is loaded 330 to 350 days upfront, so it is value setting alerts with the helpful Seats.aero software, as you would possibly get up to a pleasing shock (as I did).

As a Oneworld alliance member, you’ll be able to e-book Fiji Airways enterprise class with factors and miles from associate airline applications like Qantas Frequent Flyer and British Airways Membership.

Reward your inbox with the TPG Every day publication

Be part of over 700,000 readers for breaking information, in-depth guides and unique offers from TPG’s specialists

By signing up, you’ll obtain newsletters and promotional content material and conform to our Phrases of Use and acknowledge the info practices in our Privateness Coverage. You could unsubscribe at any time.

Nonetheless, the most effective costs for business-class flights to Fiji are by way of the Alaska Airways Atmos Rewards program (simply 75,000 factors one-way) and the American Airways AAdvantage program (80,000 miles one-way). You’ll be able to proceed on to Australia or New Zealand for a similar variety of AAdvantage miles or 10,000 extra Atmos Rewards factors, supplied there may be saver availability for each flights.

We booked this flight from NAN to DFW with Alaska Airways Mileage Plan miles (now known as Atmos Rewards factors).

Associated: I’ve by no means flown Alaska Airways earlier than — this is why I would like its new premium bank card

Real but polished Fijian hospitality

The crew couldn’t have been kinder from the second I boarded till I deplaned. The eye to element impressed me with touches like wine bottles being introduced at my seat and drinks poured in entrance of me, my tray desk being set with out the usage of a tray for the primary dinner service, edible flowers and even an imitation candle for a moody eating impact.

The purser additionally approached me throughout descent, noting that my fixed photo-taking indicated I used to be an skilled traveler and asking whether or not I had any recommendations for bettering the expertise.

That is corresponding to the excessive degree of service I’ve witnessed in enterprise class on award-winning airways like Qatar Airways.

Vacation mode as quickly as you step on board

There have been loads of enjoyable Fijian touches on board my flight that immediately put me on “island time,” like pineapple-scented sizzling towels and signature cocktails with regionally distilled gin with notes of sun-dried kava and curry leaf.

Whereas I doubt many vacationers select an airline primarily based on its livery or font, I can not keep in mind a time when an airline’s branding left such a robust influence on me as Fiji Airways. The barkcloth art work, designed by Fijian Masi artist Makereta Matemosi, mixed with the Bula customized typeface designed particularly for Fiji Airways was distinctive, elegant and immediately evoked emotions of being someplace stress-free and peaceable.

Restaurant-quality, dine-on-demand delicacies

Relatively than serving gadgets from trolleys wheeled by way of the aisles, all dishes have been served from the galley, like in a restaurant. Whereas orders have been taken throughout boarding, I used to be assured I used to be welcome to eat at any time and requested for my most well-liked meal instances (which may very well be adjusted in the course of the flight).

The meals was of top of the range and properly introduced, beginning with a smoked tomato tartare with avocado cream and basil oil, adopted by the native delicacy of grilled mahi-mahi fish with steamed ota (a crisp native inexperienced) and a scrumptious mango ginger cheesecake with a crystallized ginger almond crust for dessert.

My feta parsley omelet with lentil fritters and tomato marmalade the next morning was one thing I might have been thrilled to be served at an upmarket breakfast cafe Down Underneath.

A soothing stopover between North America and Australia or New Zealand

I spent just a few days in Fiji after flying in from Australia earlier than my flight to Dallas. It was my first time within the nation, and I used to be totally charmed by how relaxed, pleasant and hospitable everybody was, to not point out the spectacular seashores and glorious climate, even within the moist season.

For example, I suffered a flat tire one night and pulled over to the aspect of the freeway to attempt to exchange it. Regardless of constant rain making the duty disagreeable, a neighborhood driving by insisted on stopping and altering the tire for me with a heat smile, a cheery wave and a “welcome to Fiji” when he departed quickly afterward.

If you’re searching for just a few days of downtime as you cross the Pacific in both path, Fiji is a peaceable, secure and simple choice.

Methods to earn factors and miles to e-book Fiji Airways enterprise class

It is simple to earn Atmos Rewards factors and AAdvantage miles with the suitable bank card. Listed here are among the finest welcome provides accessible proper now:

• Atmos Rewards Summit Visa Infinite Credit score Card ($395 annual price): Earn 80,000 bonus factors and a 25,000-point International Companion Award after spending $4,000 on purchases inside the first 90 days of opening your account.
• Atmos™ Rewards Ascent Visa Signature® bank card ($95 annual price): Earn 70,000 bonus factors and a $99 Companion Fare (plus taxes and charges from $23) after spending $3,000 on purchases inside the first 90 days of opening your account.
• Atmos™ Rewards Visa Signature® Enterprise Card: ($70 annual price for the corporate and $25 per card): Earn 70,000 bonus factors and a $99 Companion Fare (plus taxes and charges from $23) after spending $4,000 on purchases inside the first 90 days of opening your account.
• Citi® / AAdvantage® Government World Elite Mastercard® ($595 annual price; see charges and charges): For a restricted time, earn 100,000 bonus miles after spending $10,000 on purchases inside the first three months of account opening.
• Citi® / AAdvantage® Globe™ Mastercard® ($350 annual price; see charges and charges): For a restricted time, earn 90,000 bonus miles after spending $5,000 on purchases inside the first 4 months of account opening.
• Citi® / AAdvantage Enterprise™ World Elite Mastercard® ($99 annual price, waived the primary yr; see charges and charges): Earn 65,000 bonus miles after spending $4,000 on purchases inside the first 4 months from account opening.

You may also switch Bilt Rewards Factors to Atmos Rewards factors and Citi ThankYou Rewards factors to AAdvantage miles at a 1:1 charge.

Backside line

Fiji Airways’ Airbus A350 enterprise class was a pleasing shock. I wasn’t anticipating such a formidable product from a small and comparatively unknown airline, and it might probably simply compete with the world’s finest with a incredible onboard product, meals and repair.

Enterprise-class awards to Fiji begin at simply 75,000 Atmos Rewards factors or 80,000 AAdvantage miles one-way. Fiji Airways deserves a spot in your radar the following time you are planning a visit to the South Pacific, Australia or New Zealand, particularly if you’re struggling to search out moderately priced redemptions on nonstop providers throughout the Pacific.