Fiji Airways is really bad and I can now fully explain why after having to take the airline a massive 8 times in 2 weeks. There are of course plenty of worse airlines out there, but good this does not make them.
And the reason for so many flights? Well it was part of my Pacific busting Least Visited Countries Tour.
What the Fiji Airways?
Fiji Airways, the airline that grew from a single seaplane in 1951 to become the so-called “pride of the Pacific,” connects Fiji to the world—or at least parts of it. With routes spanning destinations like Los Angeles, San Francisco, Sydney, Auckland, Tokyo, and Singapore, it’s your gateway to tropical bliss or a layover in Nadi. But let’s talk about that in-flight meal: a culinary adventure of disappointment.
If you’re expecting fresh island flavors, think again. Instead, you’ll likely get a microwaved (or cold) mystery dish that makes you question your choices. Still, Fiji Airways is reliable—by island standards—and the sunsets at 30,000 feet are free.
Click to read about flying (and eating) with Nauru Airlines.
Fiji and ideas of grander
I will try and keep this one short and sweet as I have handled this subject here, but essentially Fiji is not all it is cracked up to be. This is because despite waiting itself as paradise the country has an awful lot of problems.
These include mass poverty (at 30 percent), ethnic strife, a military that is largely in control ad immense crime. This is particularly the case in Suva, which has more in common with Port Moresby than paradise.
This is my mind leads the airlines to see themselves as top banana, but in actuality to deliver a poor product.
Flying on the sailed hopper with Fiji Airways
While not quite offering the same island hopper service as Nauru Airlines and United Fiji Airways is still the dominant carrier for much of the Pacific.
Tis includes all but having the monopoly for places like Samoa and Tonga, while having the actual monopoly on Tuvalu. This means that despite you being told “thank you for choosing Fiji Airways” it really is not in actuality a choice, like at all.
All of the flights we took had lots of grandeur, well dressed staff and OK planes, but it all seemed to be just a bit of a facade.
Fiji Airways has the worst food
I personally feel that the cuisine of Fiji is a bit overrated, but id di not let this cloud my judgement of what Fiji Airways food might be like. On our very first flight to Nauru we were fed a mediocre cold pasta salad with chicken that could have been years old. It was though generally OK to be fair.
Then on our next flight we ere seven the same, and then again for 7-10, or so flights both international dn domestic. In fact on domestic the food was even worse being just a cake, but hey that was at least domestic.
By my last flight to Port Vila I could but take one bite before giving up. So to summarize the food on Fiji Airways? Lift your god damned game guys, it is not like you are overdoing a good thing, you are force feeding crap to people….
But what about the Fiji Airways Lounge?
I would say is the bright spot here, because even though this is not a huge airport they do have a very nice Fiji Airways lounge. Sid lounge is big and serves alcohol and food.
The food away from breakfast though did tend to be a bit shit and rather unadventurous, usually being rice and some weird dish. Today it was Mongolian beef, which I take no truck with. There is though a smoking area and it is at least more fun than Brunei. This though as previously discussed is far from a great achievement.
Fiji can be suited as part of my Least Visited countries Tour as well as on a bespoke tour.
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