Fiji is so close to Australia that it is tempting to believe it doesn’t matter who you fly with as the flight time is so short. However, nothing brings on a ‘tropical depression’ quicker than a grumpy crew and terrible in-flight service. This Fijij Airways review will help you work out whether the country’s national carrier is the right fit for you.

For our most recent Fiji Airways flight, we chose the airline because of our previous positive travel experience which had friendly service and the Fiji Airways timetable had great departure times that suited us. However, the aircraft and dated cabin put a dampener on our enjoyment.

However, things have changed since then let’s fast-forward and look at the current much newer fleet. It’s a delightful sight to see the new Airbus A350s and new Boeing 737s in the lineup. If you’re booking a flight, make sure to check if you’re flying on one of these new aircraft. The older aircraft are still flying but steadily being replaced with new aircraft.

Unfortunately the new A330 aircraft don’t fly out of Brisbane but our refurbished 737 was certainly a step up from our last experience. All of the seats in economy were in very good condition and didn’t have the worn, tatty look of our previous flight. We left right on time with lunch served soon after take-off.

How to manage your booking with Fiji Airways

It’s important to check what’s included when you’re flying on Fiji Airways as there is a fare structure. Lite fares provide the basics like a meal, beverages, and entertainment, but your luggage is limited to one 7kg carry-on bag (that could be weighed so don’t try to sneak in a few extra kilograms!). The higher ticket grades are Value, Comfort, and Plus, with varying inclusions that add things like extra baggage, seat selection and refunds. We opted for checked baggage.

Which Fiji Airways fare should I choose? 

Even if you’re on a tight budget, it can still be worth opting for the Plus Package to get the extra legroom seats and priority boarding, plus the option to get a refund. This is great value for money, and ensures a comfortable and enjoyable journey without breaking the bank.

Our Fiji Airways review

When flying on our 737 from Brisbane to Fiji (Nadi), we noted that all of the economy seats were in good condition, even though we were not on one of the new Fiji Airways’ planes. We left right on time, and lunch was served soon after take-off. Another big tick for Fiji Airways is its attitude toward children and families. The friendly and personal care they provide is not just a service; it’s an extension of the warm Fiji culture which is renowned for its hospitality and friendliness.

Families will also appreciate that all the children on board are served their meals first. It isn’t a special ‘children’s meal’ (or at least it wasn’t on our flight), but the standard offering was more than fine for kids. It was lovely watching the crew interact with the young (and not so young) flyers on board and the effort they put into making everyone feel special.

In economy, the drinks include a couple of nice mid-range wines and the usual selection of other beverages, all delivered with a smile. The crew’s friendly banter and genuine interest in making our flight more comfortable was above and beyond and we were only in economy. While our meal was tasty, there was an issue with its temperature. If it was meant to be a cold chicken pasta salad, it was too warm, and if it was meant to be a hot meal, it was virtually stone cold. 

However, despite the issue with our meals, we would still choose Fiji Airways over any other airline to get to Fiji. Even when you are flying economy as we were, the smiling, gracious and genuine service is second to none. It seemed that nothing was too much trouble, despite the fact the aircraft was full and the crew were probably run off their feet. And no, they didn’t know I was reviewing the flight. As far as the crew was concerned, my wife and I were just happy Aussies heading off on holiday to Fiji.

However, despite the issue with our meals, we would still choose Fiji Airways over any other airline to get to Fiji. Even when you are flying economy as we were, the smiling, gracious and genuine service is second to none. It seemed that nothing was too much trouble, despite the fact the aircraft was full and the crew were probably run off their feet. And no, they didn’t know I was a journalist. As far as the crew were concerned, we were a happy Aussie family heading off on holiday to Fiji.

The service was good on our last flight too but now it is combined with much nicer aircraft and smart, new uniforms, the enthusiastic team can really shine. We were hoping to get the same staff on our return flight and were a bit disappointed to see it was a different crew when we got on board. However, there was no need to worry. The service (and the smiles) were just as impressive on the trip home.

Disclosure: We paid for our flight on Fiji Airways.

If you’re heading to Fiji on holiday, check out our tips for choosing the perfect Fiji holiday, our suggestions for getting around Fiji without spending a fortune, and our reviews of Castaway Island Resort, Cloud 9, Outrigger on the Lagoon, the Sheraton Fiji at Denarau, and the ultra luxe Likuliku Lagoon Resort.