Get exclusive travel offers and guides
Straight to your inbox
By signing up, you agree to the Finder Privacy & Cookies Policy and Terms of Use, Disclaimer & Privacy Policy.
Flight Deals
Domestic Airlines
Top International Airlines
Tips & Hacks
Top Travel Booking Sites
Travel Guides
Fiji Airways review: Sydney to Fiji
My one holiday to Fiji came complete with two very different flight experiences there and back.
Updated
We’re committed to our readers and editorial independence. We don’t compare all products in the market and may receive compensation when we refer you to our partners, but this does not influence our opinions or reviews. Learn more about Finder .
Originally I had never intended to go on honeymoon straight after my wedding. But with the notion of going back to work two days after my big "do" seeming less and less appealing, my fiance and I decided it was better to escape than delay our honeymoon.
So, on a whim, we booked a package holiday with TravelOnline just a few weeks before our wedding. The price was right, coming in at $2,600 for both of us including full-service flights on Fiji Airways and a 5-star stay at the Sofitel Fiji Resort and Spa. To be honest, the cost of the bundled package wasn’t much less than if we had booked flights and hotel separately, but the convenience of a one-click booking won us over.
We'd heard good things about both the airline and resort and, although we were more attuned to the backpacker travel lifestyle, we felt the occasion was worth the splurge. Carrying a bag packed with a few essentials and those mandatory swimsuits, we set off on our little getaway to bask in the sun and our newly married title of Mr. and Mrs.
Before I go on, I should remark that my outbound and inbound flights were polar opposite experiences. Departing, we flew on an old plane with minimal legroom and shared entertainment screens. Returning was like being transported back into the modern world, where we were met with a large craft, our own personal entertainment unit and enough legroom to swim in (so to speak).
Read on for more.
Flight details
Route: Sydney to Nadi, Fiji, direct
Dates Travelled: 29 May - 3 June 2018
Class: Economy
Flight Number(s): FJ0914 (outbound), FJ911 (inbound)
Aircraft Type: Boeing 737-800, winglets (outbound), Airbus Industrie A330-200 (inbound)
Frequent Flyer Program: Qantas Frequent Flyer
What did I like?
- Direct flights: One of the reasons we opted for Fiji Airways was because it offers direct flights from Sydney, departing several times daily. This pulls the flight time to around 4 hours. The only other airlines to offer direct flights along this route are Virgin Australia, which flies direct once daily, and Jetstar which is a budget airline. The other alternatives fly via Melbourne, Brisbane or New Zealand and can take upwards of 12 hours, which is not ideal.
- Ability to accrue frequent flyer points: Fiji Airways is aligned with Qantas, so I accrued Qantas Frequent Flyer points for my two flights. They arrived in my account within a week of returning and totalled 900 points, plus 20 status points.
- Couple-friendly seating (inbound flight only): Returning back to Sydney, we were on a Airbus Industrie A330-200, which features a comfortable plane configuration for couples, with seating being 2-4-2. This was quite different from our outbound flight, but more on that later.
My ample legroom on the Fiji-Sydney inbound journey. Note that I'm slouching here.
- Ample legroom (inbound flight only): The Airbus on our return trip had more than generous legroom in economy which is something I'd read about prior to flying and was pleasantly surprised about on my return flight.
What didn’t I like?
- Use of dated planes (outbound flight only): When departing Sydney I was extremely shocked at how outdated the plane was.The Boeing 737-800 had shared entertainment monitors, standard leg room and food service that required the staff to physically carry meals down the aisle instead of push a trolley. I don't think I've been in a plane with shared monitors since I was a child! The scenario felt like an 80s time warp, lacking all those creature-comforts I'm used to when travelling, such as my own personal entertainment system.
- Lack of air conditioning (outbound flight only): Another downfall of the outbound flight on the outdated plane was that the air conditioning either wasn't on or was set to warm. Typically, I'll layer up on a plane in anticipation of the air-conditioning and so unknowingly I rugged myself up before falling asleep only to wake up sweaty and dizzy from the excess heat. Something to bear in mind if you, like me, anticipate the ultra cold on the plane.
- Restricted legroom (outbound flight only): As I've mentioned above, the legroom experience going there and coming back were also remarkably different. On my outbound flight it was restrictive, though, as I'm used to travelling with budget airlines, it wasn't something I'm not something foreign to me. For a full service airline like Fiji Airways though, it probably wasn't up to scratch and if the tables had been turned and I'd flown on the newer aircraft before the older I would have most definitely been disappointed over my diminished legroom situation.
Cramped quarters on my outbound Sydney-Fiji flight.
Would I use Fiji Airways again?
I'll admit my outbound flight was less than acceptable this only due to the condition of the plane. Otherwise the overall experience was pleasant, food up to scratch and service lovely – so yes, I would fly with the airline again. However, I'd do my research prior to choosing my flights, to check the make of aircraft and ensure I'm on a modern carrier before committing.
Keen to fly Fiji Airways? Check out the latest flight sales and deals below:
It looks like we don't have any coupons at the moment. Take a look at our most recent deals
Groupon
Up to 75% off Australia activities + an extra up to 20% off with code
Available on select dates and activities like spas, skydiving, hot air balloon flights, tours, whale watching, skywalks, classes and more. Destinations include Sydney, Brisbane, Gold Coast, Canberra, Adelaide, Perth and more. T&Cs apply.
Last verified
Coupon code ends
Klook
$1 wine tastings in the Hunter Valley
Available on select dates in the Hunter Valley. T&Cs apply.
Last verified
Coupon code ends
Trip.com
Extra $50 off Sydney and NSW stays
Get up to 18% off plus an extra discount on stays until 18 February 2021. Destinations include Hunter Valley, Newcastle, Byron Bay, Blue Mountains, Wollongong, Orange, Mudgee, Port Stephens. Minimum spend of $150 required. T&Cs apply.
Last verified
Coupon code ends
DiDi
Exclusive
Free rides in Sydney
Get a free ride up to $15 on weekends until 1 November 2020. Valid for Sydney rides only. T&Cs apply.
Last verified
Deal ends
Trip.com
Qantas Airways: Domestic flights from $113 each way
Available on select dates until December 2020 to Canberra, Melbourne, Adelaide, Perth, Darwin, Brisbane, Cairns and more. Sample fare is Sydney-Gold Coast. T&Cs apply.
Last verified
Deal ends
Skyscanner
Virgin Australia sale: Australia-wide flights from $69 each way
Available for flights on select dates from November 2020 - December 2021. Sample fare is Gold Coast-Sydney. Destinations include Launceston, Adelaide, Melbourne, Brisbane, Canberra, Ballina Byron, Coffs Harbour, Sunshine Coast and more. T&Cs apply.
Last verified
Deal ends
RedBalloon
Exclusive
Northern Territory activities from $36 + and extra $10 off off with code
Available on select dates and experiences like sightseeing tours, zoo and wildlife experience, spas, sailings, hot air balloon flights, scenic flights and much more. Minimum spend of $80 applies. T&Cs apply.
Last verified
Trip.com
Up to 38% off Australia attractions and experiences
Available on select travel dates in Sydney, Gold Coast, Cairns, Darwin, Canberra, Melbourne and more. Attractions include SEA LIFE Aquarium Sydney, Sydney Featherdale Wildlife Park, Madame Tussauds and Eureka Skydeck. T&Cs apply.
Last verified
Deal ends
RedBalloon
Exclusive
Extra $10 off site-wide with code
Valid on all dates, including over Christmas, on activities like skydiving, quad biking, bridge climbing, canyoning, hot air ballooning, helicopter scenic flights, abseiling, scuba diving, cruises, high tea and more. Destinations include Darwin, Gold Coast, Melbourne, Sydney, Perth, Adelaide, Brisbane and more. Minimum spend of $80 required. T&Cs apply.
Last verified
Adrenaline
Up to 85% off domestic activities
Available on select dates for activities including skydiving, hot air balloon flights, quad biking, scuba diving, whale watching, bridge climbing, high tea and more. Destinations include Sydney, Brisbane, Adelaide, Perth, Canberra, Melbourne and more. T&Cs apply.
Last verified
Wotif
Up to 60% off Australia stays
Available on stays until May 2021 in Sydney, Melbourne, Gold Coast, Perth, Brisbane, Adelaide, Sunshine Coast and more. T&Cs apply.
Last verified
Deal ends
RedBalloon
Exclusive
Extra 10% off Australia activities with code
Valid on all dates on activities like skydiving, bridge climbing, canyoning, hot air ballooning, helicopter scenic flights, abseiling, cruises, tours, high tea and more. Minimum spend of $100 applies. Destinations include Darwin, Gold Coast, Melbourne, Sydney, Perth, Adelaide, Brisbane and more. T&Cs apply.
Last verified
Airbnb
Refer a friend and get a $25 Airbnb credit
Give a friend $50 toward their first stay and get $25 credit for yourself toward a future booking.
Last verified
Hotels.com
Up to 60% off Australia-wide stays + an extra 8% off with code
Available on select dates in 2020 and 2021. Destinations include Sydney, Canberra, Newcastle and more. T&Cs apply.
Last verified
Deal ends
Oaks Hotels & Resorts
Up to 30% off Australia stays
Available on select stays until 30 June 2021. Destinations include Darwin, Sydney, Brisbane, Gladstone, Townsville, Adelaide, Glenelg and more. T&Cs apply.
Last verified
Deal ends
Lastminute.com.au
Up to 56% off Australia getaways
Available on stays until December 2020. Destinations include Sydney, Melbourne, Perth, Cairns, Brisbane, Townsville, Adelaide, Canberra and more. T&Cs apply.
Last verified
Trip.com
Up to 46% off Australia-wide hotels
Available on select dates until December 2020. Destinations include Sydney, Melbourne, Gold Coast, Brisbane, Adelaide, Perth and Hobart. T&Cs apply.
Last verified
Deal ends
Trafalgar Tours
Up to 15% off last-minute trips
Valid for travel on select dates in 2020 and 2021. Destinations include Europe, UK, the Middle East, Argentina, India, Asia, New Zealand, Australia and Africa and more. T&Cs apply.
Last verified
Viator
Exclusive
10% off things to do in Australia
Available on select dates for activities including jet boat rides, sightseeing cruises, tours, wildlife and animal interactions and wine tastings. Destinations include Sydney, Gold Coast, Brisbane, Melbourne, Cairns and more. Discount will be applied at check-out. T&Cs apply.
Last verified
Deal ends
Europcar
Exclusive
$20 off nationwide rentals
Available on rentals until 31 January 2021. Destinations include Sydney, Melbourne, Adelaide, Brisbane and more. Minimum spend of $200 required. T&Cs apply.
Last verified
Coupon code ends
DiDi
Exclusive
Get $20 credit
Get $5 off each of your first four rides in Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Gold Coast, Sunshine Coast, Geelong, Perth and Newcastle. Valid on all dates for new users. T&Cs apply.
Last verified
Lastminute.com.au
Up to 40% off pet friendly hotels
Available on stays until October 2020. Destinations include Sydney, Canberra and Brisbane. T&Cs apply.
Last verified
Deal ends
Lastminute.com.au
Up to 30% off last minute Australia stays
Available stays until October 2020 in Sydney, Melbourne, Perth, Canberra, Adelaide, Brisbane, Newcastle, Rockhampton and more.
Last verified
Deal ends
Europcar
Up to 20% off Australia and New Zealand rentals
Available on select dates until 15 December 2020. Rental must be for 2 days or more and booked 21 days in advance. T&Cs apply.
Last verified
Deal ends
Europcar
$1/day one-way car hire in Australia
Valid on select dates for select car hire in Australia. Destinations updated regularly.
Last verified
Airbnb
Gold Coast stays from $49/night
Available on select stay dates from June 2020 onward. Sample accommodation is in Surfers Paradise. T&Cs apply.
Last verified
Hotels.com
Extra 8% off on hotel bookings
Save on hotel stays before 31 December 2020 in Australia, New Zealand, Bali, Fiji, Thailand, Singapore, USA and more. Available at select hotels.
Last verified
Coupon code ends
Airbnb
Melbourne stays from $50/night
Available on select stay dates from June 2020 onward. Sample accommodation is in Melbourne Central Business District. T&Cs apply.
Last verified
Europcar
Up to 20% off base rate
Available on rentals until 15 December 2020 in Australia and New Zealand. Pick up on Sunday, Monday or Tuesday required to avail offer. T&Cs apply
Last verified
Deal ends
Otel.com
Extra 9% off hotel bookings
Valid on select hotel stays worldwide like Australia, New Zealand, Bali, Thailand, USA, Europe and more on all dates, including over holidays like Easter, Christmas and New Year's Eve. Some restrictions apply.
Last verified
Rentalcars.com
Up to 20% off car hire
Compare car hire prices on Rentalcars.com and save up to 20% compared to booking direct.
Last verified
Groupon
Up to 73% off getaways + an extra up to 20% off with code
Available for travel on select dates to Sydney, Sunshine Coast, Adelaide, Brisbane, Launceston, Newcastle, Noosa Heads, Cairns and more. T&Cs apply.
Last verified
RedBalloon
Exclusive
Up to 13% off domestic getaway packages + an extra 10% off with code
Available on select travel dates for stays in Brisbane, Sydney, Melbourne, Blue Mountains, Cairns, Canberra and more. Minimum spend of $100 required. T&Cs apply.
Last verified
RedBalloon
Exclusive
Australia experiences for 2 from $38 + Extra $10 off with code
Available on select dates for experiences like tours, zoo and wildlife interactions, hot air balloon flights, skydiving and more. Destinations include Sydney, Hunter Valley, Melbourne, Brisbane and more. Minimum spend of $80 required. T&Cs apply.
Last verified
RedBalloon
Exclusive
Up to 60% off Australia activities + an extra 10% off with code
Available on select dates and activities like hot air balloon flights, tandem skydiving, getaways, driving experiences and more. Destinations include Sydney, Gold Coast, Cairns and more. Minimum spend of $100 required. T&Cs apply.
Last verified
Coupon code ends
Hertz
Get 1 day free on Australia car hires
Available on rentals until 31 December 2020 when you book a minimum of 5 consecutive days. Destinations include Sydney, Melbourne, Perth, Adelaide, Brisbane and more. T&Cs apply.
Last verified
Coupon code ends
Hertz
Free upgrade on Australia rentals
Available on rentals until 31 December 2020 when you use the code. T&Cs apply.
Last verified
Coupon code ends
Skydive Australia
Up to $20 off skydiving with code
Get $20 off per person when you book for 4 or more. Destinations include Sydney, Byron Bay, Newcastle, Cairns, Brisbane and more. T&Cs apply.
Last verified
Coupon code ends
Luxury Escapes
Up to 61% off Australia holiday packages
Available on select dates until December 2021, including over Christmas and New Year's Eve. Destinations include Adelaide, Gold Coast, Byron Bay, Sydney, Cairns, Canberra, Hunter Valley and more. T&Cs apply.
Last verified
Avis
4th day free + free upgrade on Australia car hires
Available on rentals until 18 December 2020 in Sydney, Melbourne, Gold Coast, Perth, Adelaide and more. Minimum 4 days rental required. T&Cs apply.
Last verified
Coupon code ends
Popular Travel coupon codes
| Last checked | Code description | Code |
|---|---|---|
| 27 Oct 2020 | Up to 75% off Australia activities + an extra up to 20% off with code | TIC**** |
| 23 Oct 2020 | $1 wine tastings in the Hunter Valley | WIN**** |
| 23 Oct 2020 | Extra $50 off Sydney and NSW stays | NSW**** |
| 21 Oct 2020 | Northern Territory activities from $36 + and extra $10 off off with code | FDR**** |
| 21 Oct 2020 | Extra $10 off site-wide with code | FDR**** |
Popular Flights coupon codes
| Last checked | Code description | Code |
|---|---|---|
| 16 Oct 2020 | Up to 12% off international flights | PAY**** |
| 9 Oct 2020 | Up to 10% off flights + extra bags | STU**** |
| 7 Oct 2020 | Thanksgiving sale: Up to $25 off flight fees | TG2**** |
| 7 Oct 2020 | Up to $10 off international flights | FLY**** |
| 7 Oct 2020 | Up to $100 off business class flights | OCT**** |
More guides on Finder
-
AirAsia review: Kuala Lumpur to Sydney
From strict baggage limits to a lack of in-flight amenities, I'll probably think twice - or at least be better prepared - before booking another AirAsia flight.
-
Cathay Pacific 777-300ER First Class Review
We test out Cathay's First Class product on its second-longest route.
-
Review: How well is Qantas Priority Boarding working now?
Are premium passengers now getting a premium boarding service?
-
A guide to sustainable travel and eco-friendly flights
How airlines are addressing carbon emissions and how you can make your journey through the air a greener one.
-
Jetstar 787-8 Gold Coast–Seoul flight and business class review
Fantastic service and a smooth and easy journey is what I received on the inaugural Gold Coast–Seoul flight.
-
Cebu Pacific flight review: Sydney to Cebu (via Manila)
We took Cebu Pacific for another spin between Australia and the Philippines, this time doing some island hopping with the budget carrier.
-
Qantas flight review: New York to Sydney via LAX, economy
While the world eagerly awaits the launch of Qantas's direct New York to Sydney flights, we check out how the current New York-Los Angeles-Sydney run pans out.
-
What to expect from Fiji Airways’ new A350 airplane
It's fuel efficient, super spacious and you can experience it from 1 December.
-
British Airways 777-300ER First Class Review
A mediocre hard product, coupled with a much improved dining experience and genial service.
-
Virgin Australia review: Sydney to Christchurch, economy return
Popping over to New Zealand for a long weekend, Virgin proved to offer the best-value flights in the market.
Ask an Expert