After flying Fiji Airways’ A350 enterprise class from Los Angeles to Nadi, after which trying out the Fiji Airways Premier Lounge Nadi, it was time to fly Fiji Airways’ A330 enterprise class from Nadi to Auckland.
Again within the day, the A330 was Fiji Airways’ largest aircraft. Whereas it presents an amazing expertise for a brief daytime flight, I’d fairly not fly this on an extended haul.
How I booked my Fiji Airways enterprise class ticket
I redeemed Alaska Mileage Plan miles for my Fiji Airways enterprise class ticket. Particularly, I booked the next for 55,000 Alaska Mileage Plan miles $60.60 in taxes and charges:
9/18 FJ811 Los Angeles to Nadi departing 11:55PM arriving 5:45AM (+2 days)
9/20 FJ411 Nadi to Auckland departing 8:30AM arriving 11:40AM
I used to be enthusiastic about this, as my first flight can be operated by an A350, whereas my second flight can be operated by an A330, so I might overview each of the service’s lengthy haul plane varieties.
It’s price noting that traditionally Fiji Airways has been fairly stingy with award availability, however in August there was a short interval the place the airline opened the floodgates of award area, making it straightforward to snag enterprise class awards.
Fiji Airways Nadi lounge & boarding
Within the earlier installment I reviewed the Fiji Airways Premier Lounge Nadi. After having fun with a while there, I headed to gate eight, the place my flight to Auckland can be departing from. Boarding was scheduled for 7:45AM, 45 minutes earlier than departure, and positive sufficient that’s precisely when boarding began. Enterprise class passengers have been invited to board first.
After having my boarding go scanned, I walked alongside an open-air hall, after which down the jet bridge to the A330.
Fiji Airways A330 enterprise class cabin & seats
I boarded by means of the second set of doorways, and turned left into the enterprise class cabin. Fiji Airways’ Airbus A330-200s have a complete of 24 enterprise class seats, unfold throughout 4 rows in a 2-2-2 configuration.
These are angled enterprise class seats, so suffice it to say that the A350 presents a massively improved enterprise class laborious product. It truly is wonderful how far enterprise class seats have come over time, as a result of at one level this was a leading edge product.
That additionally presents a problem with reviewing this product. For a sub-three hour daytime flight, this was greater than adequate. In the meantime for an 11-hour in a single day flight, I’d be much less jazzed about these seats.
Fiji Airways’ A330 enterprise class seats function 60″ of pitch, so that they’re very spacious for simply lounging, however much less snug when sleeping.
I had assigned myself seat 4A, the window seat within the final row of the cabin on the left. 4B, the aisle seat subsequent to me, stayed empty.
The seatback had a set 15.4″ display screen. Beneath that have been two small storage compartments, which may very well be totally opened or closed. There have been additionally literature pockets and bottle cubbies between the 2 screens.
The middle console had two areas the place you would place glasses, and the tray tables additionally prolonged from the middle part.
The tray tables are a great dimension, but in addition can’t be folded in half or moved round a lot.
Behind the middle armrest was a privateness partition that may very well be prolonged, in case you’re seated subsequent to a stranger.
Beneath the realm with the tray tables have been the facility retailers, together with an AC and USB possibility.
Additionally between seats was an uncovered storage space, the place you would place bottled water, a cellphone, and so on.
The far armrest had the seat and leisure controls. The seat controls have been straightforward to make use of, and you would both select from 4 seat pre-sets, or you would simply alter particular components of the seat.
The overhead consoles had studying lights, however didn’t have particular person air nozzles. That is one other massive benefit of the A350, as Fiji Airways has particular person air nozzles on these planes.
The overhead bins as such have been a reasonably good dimension.
So far as bathrooms go, the A330-200 solely has one toilet on the entrance of the cabin, proper by the cockpit. There have been additionally two bathrooms behind the cabin, however these have been obtainable to financial system passengers, so usually had a line. The ahead toilet remained clear all through the flight, however had restricted facilities.
Fiji Airways enterprise class facilities
As you’d count on for a brief daytime flight lasting below three hours, there weren’t amenity kits or correct bedding on this flight. There was a pillow and blanket at every seat — the pillow was good, whereas the blanket was fundamental.
There have been additionally the identical pair of noise canceling headphones as on the final flight, which weren’t that good.
After settling in, I used to be provided my alternative of a pre-departure glass of champagne or orange juice. I chosen the previous, and in addition downed the bottle of FIJI water that was ready at my seat.
Later within the boarding course of I used to be provided a heat towel.
Then shortly earlier than departure I used to be provided the menu for the flight.
Fiji Airways A330 departure from Nadi
Whereas financial system was full on this flight, enterprise class was solely two-thirds full, with 16 of the 24 seats taken. Within the fourth row, solely the far window seat was in any other case occupied, so I had plenty of area to myself. At round 8:25AM the captain made his welcome aboard announcement, informing us of our flight time of 2hr55min, and our cruising perspective of 39,000 toes.
At 8:40AM the principle cabin door closed, and a second later we started our pushback (that aircraft subsequent to us was the A350 that flew me from Los Angeles). At this level the security video was screened.
We began our taxi at 8:45AM, and fewer than 5 minutes later we have been at runway 20.
We truly lined up on the runway and needed to anticipate the crew to complete their security checks, because the taxi was that fast. Luckily Nadi Airport is fairly quiet, so ready on the runway for a few minutes isn’t a difficulty.
We had a strong takeoff, and a steep climb out of Nadi. I actually do wish to return to Fiji once more quickly, because it’s such a wonderful place.
The seatbelt signal was turned off 5 minutes after takeoff.
Fiji Airways A330 leisure & Wi-Fi
Fiji Airways’ leisure system on the A330 isn’t nearly as good because the one on the A350, although it’s nonetheless fairly first rate.
There have been roughly 90 films and 45 TV exhibits, although there have been a number of episodes of some exhibits.
I ended up watching some episodes of Brooklyn 9-9 that I hadn’t seen on the earlier flight.
The leisure system additionally had a map function, which wasn’t fairly as interactive as on the A350.
Boy, I’d actually like to discover extra of the South Pacific, and particularly there are some cool airways within the area.
Sadly Fiji Airways’ A330s don’t have Wi-Fi, in contrast to the A330s.
Fiji Airways A330 enterprise class meal
Since this was a morning flight, breakfast was the one meal being served. After takeoff, the crew closed the window shades all through the cabin. Personally I favor to maintain them open, however I assume many individuals have been connecting off an extended haul flight, and needed extra sleep.
Under yow will discover the menu and drink listing for the flight.
I appreciated the tempo at which service began. I used to be provided my first drink 25 minutes after takeoff. I ordered a cup of espresso — I consider Fiji Airways makes use of on the spot espresso, although it was oddly tasty.
I wasn’t significantly hungry, so I went with the continental breakfast possibility. For that matter, I didn’t desire a second airplane omelet in someday, and I additionally didn’t need something as candy because the waffles. Breakfast was served round 40 minutes after takeoff.
The fruit plate as such was fairly good, and had pineapple, watermelon, orange, grapes, and papaya.
There was additionally a yogurt parfait with some granola and fruit compote.
The meal service was achieved round an hour into the flight, however the crew was always by means of the cabin to examine if anybody needed something.
Later within the flight there was a snack basket with a few forms of chips, plus extra water.
Fiji Airways A330 enterprise class mattress
I attempted to go to sleep for the final portion of this flight. So, simply how uncomfortable is Fiji Airways’ A330 enterprise class seat for sleeping? Properly, fairly uncomfortable, in the event you ask me. It’s not even that the seat is angled and flat, however fairly the footrest is at a unique angle than the remainder of the seat, so this isn’t splendid for us aspect sleepers.
Finally I’d solely have the ability to sleep in these seats if I have been actually tried, although admittedly I’m not an amazing airplane sleeper to start with.
Fiji Airways enterprise class service
Fijians usually are extremely pleasant, and I can’t say sufficient good issues about this crew. All of the flight attendants, and particularly the purser, have been merely oozing with persona. Since I sat proper in entrance of the principle cabin door, I heard the real friendliness and enthusiasm with which every passenger was greeted, and that constructive power continued all through the flight.
Fiji Airways persistently has nice service, however this crew was stellar.
Fiji Airways A330 arrival in Auckland
At 11:15AM native time the captain introduced that we’d quickly be descending, and must be touchdown in round half-hour.
The crew handed out arrival playing cards for New Zealand, and the purser additionally got here by to every enterprise class passenger to thank them for flying with Fiji Airways.
The views on strategy to Auckland have been merely beautiful, although it wasn’t the nicest day outdoors.
We touched down in Auckland at 11:45AM.
From there it was a brief 5 minute taxi to our arrival gate, the place we pulled in at 11:50AM, 10 minutes not on time.
I headed straight for immigration, which was a breeze. Symbolically there was one thing thrilling to me about getting into New Zealand the identical because it was pre-pandemic, given simply how locked down the nation was till just lately.
Backside line
Fiji Airways is such a beautiful little airline. Whereas Fiji Airways’ A330 enterprise class laborious product leaves fairly a bit to be desired on an extended haul flight, it was a pleasing product for a flight like this. The crew on this Fiji Airways flight was so pleasant, the meals was good, and the leisure was stable. Fiji Airways actually is an effective way to fly between the USA and the South Pacific.
When you’ve flown Fiji Airways’ A330 enterprise class, what was your expertise like?
