“Bula!” smile the stewards as I’m welcomed onboard Flight FJ810 from Nadi to LA. Fiji is celebrated the world over for its hospitality. And it’s that bula spirit that makes the national carrier such a compelling choice for travellers. Being met at the cabin door felt more like being welcomed into someone’s home than entering an aircraft. In July 2025, Tourism Fiji announced the island nation had attracted the highest number of visitor arrivals in Fiji’s history, nudging close to 100,000 travellers in a month. Fiji Airways, a member of oneworld Alliance, now serves 25 destinations in 14 countries and territories. I’ve flown from Sydney to Fiji to test the route that conveniently connects Nadi and LA, where I am due to spend a few days soaking up the sun in Santa Monica, in Los Angeles County. 

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Checking in to Fiji Airways

Check in for your flight using the Fiji Airways app or self-service check-in kiosks in the Departures Hall at Nadi International Airport.  You can also pay an additional $117 for the all-new Premier Service for travellers arriving, departing or connecting through Nadi International Airport. This additional service made us feel like VIPs as a rep from Fiji Airways met us on arrival to fast-track us through immigration, expedite us through customs and into the quiet zone of Fiji Airways’ Premier Lounge. We enjoyed a few G+Ts, a glass of wine and cheese and crackers before being led to the plane for priority boarding. This Premier Service is great for those who want assistance navigating around the airport and is particularly popular with families.

The flight from Nadi to LA

After bouncing across the Pacific from Sydney to Nadi, I’m onboard the A350-900 XWB Aircraft bound for LA, which takes about 10 hours and 18 minutes. The aircraft has 33 lie-flat business-class beds and 301 Economy class seats in a 3-3-3 configuration including 39 Bula Space Seats. Fiji Airways was recently recognised as an APEX World Class Airline for 2026, ranking among 10 airlines globally.  It was evident from the get-go why the airline came out on top in these categories. The complimentary connectivity onboard Flight FJ810 worked without a hitch. And the bathrooms were kept immaculate – sprayed with an air freshener that smelt like lemongrass and sunshine.  What I also loved was that everything from the livery to the crew’s uniforms and cuisine felt like a celebration of Fijian culture.  

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Flying business class with Fiji Airways

I’m flying in business class seat 15K from Nadi to Los Angeles and it’s a very well-designed layout. The seat itself, which has a 44-inch pitch, has a personal reading light, literature holder (which I used to store the menus), covered stowage compartment, IFE remote, power point, USB port and headset socket. There’s also an adjustable armrest and covered stowage compartment and in-seat video with 17-inch monitor. After playing around with my seat controls, I move from the preset upright position to the lounge preset position and finally, the bed preset position. I can also toggle my reading light on and off using the seat controls on the panel beside my seat. The headsets provided by Fiji Airways work so well I don’t bother grabbing mine from the overhead compartment.

On board Fiji Airways

The 1-2-1 configuration ensures direct aisle access for passengers and the staff-to-passenger ratio was about 1:8, which absolutely elevated the experience. What I most love about this business-class flight onboard Fiji Airways is its new onboard experience, Dine On Demand, available in business class on select long-haul flights. My seat also felt very private as I was oriented toward the window. The staff remembered that I was keen to sleep and arranged my bed, with proper bedding, when I was in the bathroom. I was surprised they didn’t tuck me in for the night. Having a place to store my handbag was also convenient as I could access my charger, laptop and book. The amenity kit provided by Fiji Airways includes socks, eye mask, earplugs and a dental kit from Pure Fiji as well as a bamboo toothbrush.

The food and drinks

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Fiji Airways was awarded 2026 APEX Best in Food & Beverage in the South Pacific. Soon after settling into my window seat, I’m offered a hot towel and glass of Gardet Brut Tradition NV Champagne.  It’s past 9pm so I decline the basket of fresh-baked bread and defer dinner in line with the Dine ON Demand concept, where you choose what to eat and when. I opt for one of three courses: chicken with roast pumpkin, miso butter and nori sesame brittle, a nourishing example of the menu showcasing Pacific Rim cuisine. The steward also recommends a glass of the 2022 Ponting The Pinnacle Shiraz to pair with a small plate of artisanal cheeses. While I was hoping to enjoy the coconut water chia seed pudding and green smoothie upon waking, the luxury of having a lie-flat bed meant I slept through.

Entertainment options 

It’s nothing against Fiji Airways, but after experiencing 12 long-haul flights in 2025, the movie selection across the board – on every airline – in 2025 is pretty average. I’d already watched all the recent releases that do appeal – mostly biopics such as A Complete Unknown and Better Man – plus a few award-winners. Again, not specific to Fiji Airways, but I have franchise fatigue. Can we please move on from Marvel? I don’t do dystopian either. However, before settling down to sleep, I did watch the Discover Fiji videos to prepare for our week-long holiday in Fiji when we return from Santa Monica. I can also highly recommend the wellness-focused audio options, particularly the guided meditation and breathwork, which sent me into a deep slumber.

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The business class service

I’m flying in business class seat 15K from Nadi to LA. Even though I have priority boarding, I’ve opted to board the plane last to finish off some work in the lounge. Soon after boarding, I notice a steward behind me waiting with a tray of drinks who smiles and says, ‘No hurry, no worry.’ Fijians are known for being laid-back and friendly. And that’s certainly true of the staff onboard this flight. Fiji Airways was awarded the 2026 APEX award for Best in Cabin Service in the South Pacific. Personally, I’ve never experienced such warm, genuine service at 30,000 feet; the stewards were very attentive. And there was a softness to the service that made the atmosphere feel calm and relaxed. As if I was already on holiday.

Flying Fiji Airways business class: the verdict

There are so many reasons to love flying Fiji Airways. But for, it was the overarching sustainability story that was woven through the experience that made this flight exceptional. The concept goes beyond KPIs; rather, it’s in line with the Fijian principle of maroroya, which means to protect the land we inherit and pass on. The airline uses aircraft that is 25 per cent more fuel efficient, has utilised sustainable aviation fuel and has implemented software that tracks and minimises fuel efficiency. It uses blankets made from sustainably sourced bamboo, craft paper packaging for its amenity kits and cutlery and plants new trees to protect Fiji’s shores from climate change. It’s a philosophy that underpins the Fijian way of life. Bula vinaka.

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