For the second portion of my two journeys to the Southern Hemisphere, it was time to fly Fiji Airways’ Airbus A350 enterprise class from Los Angeles to Nadi. I used to be enthusiastic about this flight, because the A350 is a brand new addition to Fiji Airways’ fleet.
This flight ended up being wonderful, with nice seats, service, meals, facilities, leisure, and Wi-Fi. So far as boutique airways go, it actually doesn’t get significantly better than Fiji Airways.
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 could be operated by an A350, whereas my second flight could be operated by an A330, so I might assessment each of the provider’s lengthy haul plane sorts.
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 house, making it simple to snag enterprise class awards.
Fiji Airways LAX lounge & boarding
Whereas I had spent many of the day at LAX, I nonetheless headed again to Fiji Airways’ check-in counter round 9PM, just below three hours earlier than departure. Fiji Airways’ check-in desk was on the far finish of the Tom Bradley Worldwide Terminal (TBIT) check-in corridor.
The worker checking me in was actually pleasant. My bag was weighed though I used to be touring in enterprise class, although that wasn’t a difficulty, as I used to be touring actually mild.
For no matter motive, Fiji Airways doesn’t take part in TSA PreCheck, so be ready for a irritating safety expertise. Right now of the night each CLEAR and premium safety traces are closed, so that you’re simply caught within the atypical safety line, which may take fairly a while.
So far as lounges go, Fiji Airways passengers at LAX are spoiled with alternative. Fiji Airways formally sends enterprise class passengers to the Star Alliance Lounge, although it’s additionally attainable to make use of the oneworld Lounge, and since I’m a oneworld Emerald member, I used to be ready to make use of the Qantas First Lounge.
Fiji Airways flights typically depart from the Midfield Satellite tv for pc Concourse of TBIT, which is a little bit of a trek, so be sure you go away a bit of additional time. My explicit flight was departing from gate 202. Boarding was scheduled for 10:55PM (one hour earlier than departure), and positive sufficient that’s when boarding began.
Fiji Airways A350 enterprise class cabin & seats
Earlier than I get into the precise flight assessment, it’s price noting that Fiji Airways’ two Airbus A350-900s had each been meant for Hong Kong Airways. Nonetheless, when the airline might not afford the jets, Fiji Airways took them over. Whereas the “bones” of the cabin stayed the identical, the finishes after all replicate some native touches.
I boarded by way of the second set of doorways, the place I used to be greeted by the pleasant purser and one other flight attendant. I rapidly had a peek into financial system, which regarded fairly good. Countering the pattern these days, Fiji Airways doesn’t have premium financial system, however relatively there are just a few additional legroom financial system seats on the entrance of the cabin.
Fiji Airways’ A350s have 33 enterprise class seats, in a 1-2-1 configuration, unfold throughout 9 rows (there are 9 rows within the heart part, eight rows alongside the left facet of the cabin, and 7 rows alongside the precise facet of the cabin). Particularly, Fiji Airways has Collins Aerospace Tremendous Diamond seats, that are the favored reverse herringbone seats that you just’ll discover on many airways.
I assigned myself seat 17K, the window seat on the precise facet in the course of the cabin. I feel Fiji Airways’ A350 is a good instance of how a lot of a distinction enjoyable finishes could make. The cream-colored cabin may look bland on the floor, however once you add within the Fiji Airways branded headrest covers, the colourful pillows and blankets, the amenity kits, and temper lighting, the cabin truly seems fairly enjoyable.
Collins Aerospace Tremendous Diamond seats are fairly standardized, so when you’ve flown certainly one of them, you’ve mainly flown all of them.
Alongside the facet of the seat are two storage compartments, with one being fairly shallow, and the opposite being a bit deeper.
The deeper storage compartment has energy shops (AC energy and two USB plugs), the leisure controller that may be prolonged, and the headphone jack.
Beneath that space are the seat controls. This consists of each three easy buttons with pre-set choices, or a monitor the place you possibly can management particular capabilities.
Every seat has a 17″ seatback tv. The tray desk extends from beneath that — you prolong it first, after which you possibly can flip it over in order that the floor measurement doubles.
Alongside the aisle facet of the seat is an armrest that may be raised or lowered (it must be lowered for takeoff and touchdown). This additionally has a storage compartment, large enough for a bottle of water or headphones.
The overhead console on the A350 has each studying lights and particular person air nozzles. Yay for air nozzles!
So far as bathrooms go, Fiji Airways has three of those on the entrance of the A350 enterprise class cabin. They’re trendy and nicely maintained, although not notably spacious.
The bathrooms had Pure Fiji coconut lotion in them.
All-in-all, I’d say Fiji Airways provides a wonderful enterprise class laborious product, particularly when in comparison with friends within the South Pacific, like Air New Zealand and Air Tahiti Nui.
Fiji Airways enterprise class facilities
Ready at every enterprise class seat upon boarding was an incredible pillow, in addition to a light-weight blanket.
That is solely a part of the bedding, as Fiji Airways additionally has a stunning mattress pad, in addition to a a lot thicker blanket, that you just’re supplied when it’s time to sleep. That is prime notch bedding, when you ask me.
Additionally ready at every seat was an amenity equipment. This contained eyeshades, socks, ear plugs, a pen, a dental equipment, physique lotion, and sanitizing gel.
There have been additionally a pair of noise canceling headphones, which weren’t nice.
Then there was a bottle of water on the seat — naturally it was FIJI water, one of the crucial standard exports from the nation (which, it’s type of unhappy we ship bottled water to the opposite facet of the globe, however that’s a special story).
Moments after passengers settled in, the pleasant crew got here by way of the cabin to introduce themselves, ask if individuals had been accustomed to the seats, and supply pre-departure drinks. The alternatives had been champagne or orange juice, and I chosen the previous.
Heat towels had been supplied a couple of minutes after that.
Menus had been additionally handed out throughout boarding. This included each the dinner menu and drink record, plus a breakfast card you may fill out and hand again to the crew. Meal orders had been additionally taken earlier than the doorways closed.
Fiji Airways A350 departure from Los Angeles
The boarding course of took fairly a while, and the flight was pretty full — each enterprise class seat was taken, whereas financial system was practically full.
At round 11:40PM the captain made his welcome aboard announcement, introducing himself and his first and second officers, and informing us of our flight time of 10hr30min. He defined we had been virtually prepared for departure, however had been ready on two extra passengers, in addition to for some luggage to be loaded.
A couple of minutes after that the cabin doorways had been closed, at which level the purser made his welcome aboard announcement. Fiji Airways highlights the way it’s a “five-star Skytrax security rated airline,” as through the pandemic, Skytrax bought into the “enterprise” of giving COVID scores. Curiously Fiji Airways additionally has a flight attendant onboard who’s a “buyer wellness champion.”
At round 11:50PM the protection video was screened — Fiji Airways has an superior native, eco-focused security video.
Fiji Airways additionally has nice boarding music, which was enjoying for all the time we had been on the bottom. I haven’t been capable of finding it on-line, sadly, or else I’d add it to my record of the most effective airline boarding music.
We started our pushback at 12:05AM. We started our taxi 5 minutes after that, after which at 12:20AM had been cleared for takeoff on runway 24L. The seatbelt signal was turned off simply 5 minutes after takeoff.
Fiji Airways A350 leisure & Wi-Fi
As we climbed out, I browsed Fiji Airways’ leisure system, which is superb. It had nicely over 100 motion pictures, and much more TV exhibits than that. The system was simple to make use of, and may very well be managed both with the monitor itself, or by way of a distant.
The identical adverts performed earlier than every program, and included an advert for opening a name heart in Fiji, in addition to an advert for Cloud 9 Fiji, some type of a dock in the course of the water that you could go to through the day to celebration — I’m undecided if this appears superior or terrible.
I don’t often have the eye span for a film, particularly on an in a single day flight the place I’m making an attempt to sleep, so I as an alternative watched sitcoms. I first watched Brooklyn 9-9, after which in a while watched Mr. Mayor, which I noticed for the primary time, and completely beloved (anybody else a fan, no less than so far as sitcoms go?).
Fiji Airways’ inflight leisure system additionally has an superior customizable map function, in addition to a excessive definition tail digital camera (the under image is from touchdown, because it was darkish for nearly all the flight).
Fiji Airways’ Airbus A350s even have Wi-Fi. Plans are based mostly on information utilization, and the pricing is as follows:
- You will get quarter-hour of free messaging on a cellular system
- You should buy a 20MB “textual content” plan for $7.95
- You should buy a 200MB “commonplace net” plan for $11.95
- You should buy a 500MB “net plus” plan for $24.95
I purchased the 500MB plan, as I labored for a lot of the flight. The Wi-Fi speeds had been fairly good, and that plan lasted me all the flight. So whereas I want plans with out information caps, 500MB is a really excessive cap.
Fiji Airways enterprise class dinner service
Service was fast to get began after takeoff, which I very a lot recognize on a late night time flight the place individuals need to sleep. The cabin lights had been saved darkish, and there was just a few purple temper lighting used through the service.
Beneath you could find the dinner menu for the flight. Fiji Airways has a barely unconventional eating idea, as you possibly can select both one thing from the sunshine bites or the extra substantial mains menu. That appears good, since many individuals might solely desire a snack. I requested one thing from every menu, and that wasn’t a difficulty (and I noticed many others do the identical).
Then under you could find the drink record for the flight.
Inside half-hour of takeoff I used to be served my first drink. I ordered a glass of champagne — Fiji Airways serves Chanoine Grande Reserve Brut NV, which is completely good, however not one thing you’ll keep in mind. There was a small ramekin served with the drink, which had some type of Chex Combine-style snack combine.
I used to be served my first course round 50 minutes after takeoff. This included a scrumptious candy potato and coconut soup, completed with fried onion shallot rings, chive batons, and coconut milk. This got here with a jicama avocado salad with mesclun lettuce, and cherry tomatoes, in addition to a few bread rolls. To drink I ordered a glass of the Matua sauvignon blanc, from New Zealand.
For the primary course I ordered the vegetable massamam curry with black rice, blanched gai lan, and roasted child pepper, garnished with dehydrated candy potato sticks. This dish was wonderful, and legitimately spicy, which you don’t usually discover on a airplane.
Lastly, for dessert I had the coconut pudding with salted caramel syrup and toasted coconut flakes, garnished with a wafer and strawberry. This wasn’t practically as candy because it sounded, and was an incredible ending to the meal.
My tray was cleared lower than 75 minutes after takeoff, so I appreciated the tempo at which the meal was served. At this level there have been nonetheless over 9 hours remaining within the flight.
Fiji Airways A350 enterprise class mattress
I used to be fairly drained by the point the meal service completed, because it was after 4AM ET (that’s often the time at which I rise up, not the time at which I fall asleep). 😉 So I instantly reclined my seat and went to mattress.
I discover the Collins Aerospace Tremendous Diamond seats to be snug for sleeping. They’re spacious and fairly personal, and the footwell is a good measurement.
Fiji Airways’ bedding additionally helped with getting snug, because the mattress pad smoothed out the floor fairly a bit, whereas the blanket and pillow had been substantial.
I ended up getting roughly 4 hours of sleep, and wakened with just below 5 hours remaining to Fiji. At this level we had been about to cross the Worldwide Dateline (you’ve gotta love the way it’s formed, eh?).
All different passengers had been nonetheless snoozing, however I’m not airplane sleeper, and it was additionally Monday morning again house, so it was time to weblog. 😉
The crew took excellent care of me, and served me extra water, espresso, and a few snacks.
There was a snack basket within the galley with two sorts of chips, plus bottled water.
Fiji Airways enterprise class breakfast service
Round 2hr40min earlier than touchdown, the crew slowly turned on the “dawn” lighting setting, to begin to wake passengers up. That appeared awfully early to try this. After all I didn’t thoughts that one bit, since I used to be awake and like to not be in a very darkish cabin.
A couple of minutes later, the crew handed out heat towels.
Breakfast was then served round two hours earlier than touchdown.
Beneath you could find the breakfast card, which I had crammed out previous to takeoff.
For breakfast, I had chosen the avocado baked egg, served with boiled half potato and grilled asparagus, garnished with lime cilantro cream and micro greens. That sounded scrumptious, and in addition artistic for an airplane breakfast, which nearly at all times appears to be both an omelet or fruit, yogurt, and/or granola.
Sadly I used to be knowledgeable that the avocado dish hadn’t truly been loaded, and a cheese and mushroom omelet was catered instead. I used to be pleased with that as nicely, since no less than it was a vegetarian choice.
So far as airplane omelets go (admittedly a really low bar), this was a reasonably good one.
I used to be additionally served a fruit plate to associate with this, in addition to a croissant.
Fiji Airways enterprise class service
Fijians are in my expertise among the many friendliest individuals on the earth, and that’s mirrored on Fiji Airways. The nationwide airline does an incredible job bringing the nation’s tradition to the world.
Specifically, the purser was extraordinarily pleasant {and professional} — earlier than takeoff, he personally greeted every passenger, and earlier than touchdown he thanked every passenger for flying with Fiji Airways.
Fiji Airways A350 arrival in Nadi
About half-hour earlier than touchdown the captain got here on the PA to tell us we’d be descending shortly, and ought to be touching down shortly earlier than 6AM.
As we started our closing descent the solar began to rise, and we had been handled to some attractive views.
I couldn’t resolve if the view out the window or the view of the tail digital camera was higher.
We ended up touching down in Fiji at 5:55AM.
From there we had a brief 5 minute tax to our arrival gate, the place we pulled in subsequent to a Fiji Airways A330.
I like how a number of the gates at Nadi Airport are open air, so once you exit the jet bridge, you’re open air and have a direct view of the airplane.
From there I headed by way of an immigration verify and safety, and to the Fiji Airways Lounge, which I’ll be reviewing within the subsequent installment.
Backside line
Fiji Airways’ new Airbus A350 enterprise class is superb, and a large enchancment over the provider’s earlier A330 enterprise class. Fiji Airways has snug reverse herringbone seats, intensive leisure, pretty priced Wi-Fi, pleasant service, and stable meals and facilities.
I’ve nothing however good issues to say in regards to the Fiji Airways expertise, and would fly the airline once more in a heartbeat, no matter whether or not my closing vacation spot had been Fiji, or if I had been connecting to different factors within the South Pacific. What a well-run airline!
Should you’ve flown Fiji Airways’ A350 enterprise class, what was your expertise like?
