Review of Fiji Airways flight from Tokyo to Nadi in Business

Fiji Airways FJ350 Tokyo (Narita) to Nadi

Flight Details:

Airlines: Fiji Airways
Flight: FJ350 NRT - NAN
Reg: DQ-FJV "Island Of Yasawa-i-rara"
Aircraft: Airbus A330-243
Class: Business
Seat: 3K
Departure Tokyo (Narita): 9:25pm [Actual time: 10.06pm]
Arrival Nadi: 9:30am [Actual time: 9.43am]
Flight time: 8hours 30minutes
Distance: 7111 km or 4418 miles

Video: Fiji Airways FJ350 Tokyo to Nadi

Introduction

This trip report is from Sept 2023. I had arrived in Tokyo from Nagasaki, read trip report: ANA (All Nippon Airways) ANA664 Nagasaki to Tokyo (Haneda)

Pre-Departure

I had booked ticket to return through Nadi, Fiji.

I had a 9 hour and 30 mins break between flights.

My original booking was in Economy class. I had selected seat while booking the flight.

I had received email from Fiji Airways with offer to upgrade to Business class. I bid and was successful. I logged in through the Fiji Airways to check-in for this flight.

Security questions during online check-in

Baggage related information

I was allocated seat 2B, I changed seat to 3k during check-in

Baggage allowance of 30Kg in Business

Check-in process completed.

Digital boarding pass

Arriving at Airport

I had arrived at Haneda in the afternoon. I bought Airport Limousine bus ticket to Narita airport from the ticket machine. Cost JPY3200.

I reached the bus stop and waited for the bus.

Bus interior

Video: Haneda to Narita Limousine Bus Ride 4K

Bus journey took about an hour. Stopping at Terminal 3 and then 2.

Terminal 2 entrance

I was early to airport.

Checked flight schedule.

Fiji departing at 21.25pm

Video: Explore Tokyo Narita Airport Terminal 2

Planespotting

Japan has plane-spotter friendly facilities, I decided to check out the North Observation deck. I was able to view the arriving aircraft's landing on runway 16L.

Video: Tokyo Narita Airport - T2 ✈ Spotting

I moved to South Observation deck as it was closer to the check-in counter. Soon it was check-in time, I took escalator down to departure area.

Check-in

 I reached counter and entered the business check-in. I handed passport for verification.

I was asked my final destination, which was Sydney. Had check-in bag weighed and was below the allowance of 30kg. Asked about the handbag, showed my bag, which as also approved.

During check-in, I was informed that the credit card authorisation had some issue as I had upgraded to business. I would be issued boarding pass and baggage checked till Nadi.I should contact the airline on arriving in Fiji.

As I experienced, customer service is exception in Japan.  As I was walking  out, customer service staff left counter and put tag on my handbag for security check.

Security and Immigration

After check-in I went towards security check. Passengers completing their check-in for the flight. I completed security and immigration without and issues, Removed laptop and phones from bag for scanning. Immigration was quick as I was leaving Japan.

Departure area

After completing immigration, I entered the departure area.

Sakura Lounge

JAL Sakura lounge was immediately after immigration. I showed boarding pass and was allowed in the lounge.

I was out all day and wanted to shower before boarding.

I scanned the QR code to book shower

 I was number 9 in the shower queue.

Video: JAL Sakura Lounge, Terminal 2

While waiting also explored the lounge. Airside view from lounge. JAL Boeing 767-300

Shower location in lounge.

I checked the location of the shower room. Shower room hours

I waited close by for my turn.

Bar and snacks counter

Tried Japanese alcohol while waiting

My turn came after some waiting. I received a card and information of the shower.

Shower done.

After shower, I went for dinner.

Food available on level 3

Food ordered at counter

Menu

Dinner and miso soup

Had some wine along with dinner.

I had dinner and it was 8.43pm. Departure time was 9.25pm.

Exiting the lounge.

Departure ARea

Entered the departure area after exiting the lounge.

Checked the flight schedule for gate information

Walked through the duty free area and then escalator down

Long corridor towards gate.

Reached close to gate after 5 min walk.

Boarding

Boarding had commenced at 8.50pm

Ground crew checked passport and boarding pass. As boarding had commenced, had documents checked and was allowed to continue towards aircraft.

Fiji Airways Airbus A330-243  DQ-FJV "Island Of Yasawa-i-rara" ready for boarding.

Separate boarding bridges for passengers.

I entered the aerobridge.

Crew was at door to welcome and greeted me with "Bula". I replied same. Directed me to seat.

Reached the seat 3K,  which had amenity kit, blanket placed along with pillow.

Onboard

Boarding continued for economy passengers boarding through second door.

Business boarding was almost completed.

Passengers infront enjoying their business experience.

Crew provided me with towel and asked if I would like a drink. I chose Champagne.

I received the menu.

I filled my choice for dinner and breakfast.

In Japanese

Seat Pocket Content

I checked the seat pocket which contained duty free magazine, air sickness bag and safety card

Fiji tourism video was played on  the IFE system.

IFE remote controller

Clean cabin, passenger had taken on the shoe before takeoff.

PushBack and Taxi

Pushback commenced behind schedule. Aircraft was pushbacked and given customary farewell. Safety demonstration was conduced manually by crew.

Departure

A long taxi followed.  Pilot provided flight information during taxi. Aircraft departed from runway 16R.

Day night time zone.

Flight information

Seat Amenities

Water was provided in each seat.

Slippers

Amenity kit pouch

Blanket

Soft pillow

I charged the phone from the port in the seat which also had universal power plug.

I removed shoes and changed to slippers after takeoff.

Crew distributed Fiji immigration form to everyone.

Form has usual personal questions

Customs declaration

Dinner Service

I filled the form and crew commenced drinks service 30 minutes after takeoff.

I asked for a red wine and received crackers along with drink.

After drinks, I was served appetizer which had prawns and salad.

Flight map

Dinner started.

Top view

Main dish, I had selected chicken with pasta and red wine

I completed dinner, time below.

I was well fed and drunk. Visited toilet before sleeping.

Clean toilet, I was ready to sleep.

Cabin was lights were turned off after dinner. Crew preparing bed for passengers.

my bed was made as well.

Cabin was dark

Flight information had 6.45 before arrival.

Light switch in overhead panel

I was ready to sleep 1 hour 50 minutes after departure. Switched off the IFE and lights.

Blanket/quilt was soft and comfortable. I had travelled all day and fell asleep immediately.

Morning

I had a good sleep and woke with 2 hours to arrival.

Other passengers sleeping as well.

I switched IFE to check flight details.

Flight information

2 hours for landing

Flight information

I took the amenity pack to check the content.

Amenity kit contained socks, balms, sleep mask, ear plugs, toothpaste and brush.

Freshened and returned to seat.

Breakfast

Crew served breakfast after I returned back to seat.

1 hour 30 minutes for arrival as I started breakfast.

I asked for tea

Got breakfast - Veg frittata, potato chips and bread bun.

Safety card

After dinner, checked the seat pocket content and headphone

Fiji Airways Airbus A330-200 safety card

middle pages

Last page

Seat controls to set bed

Relaxing after breakfast. I didn't check the entertainment as it was early morning. Aircraft did not have a Wi-fi onboard.

Landing

Aircraft was behind schedule. Pilot informed flight would be landing at 9.45am

Outer islands of Fiji

Approaching from South

On finals

Landed on runway 02

Fiji Airways A350-900

After exiting runway and short taxi, arriving at gate.

Parked at gate.

Disembarkation

Arrived at gate. Disembarkation commenced after the aerobridge was connected.

Cabin view

Comfortable seat and well padded. Colour combination is pleasant.

Seat view before disembarking

Crew was friendly and thanked them with Vinaka. After landing, Nadi airport still has the touristy feel. This was my second trip to Fiji, I had visited in 2013, read trip report: Air Pacific DQ-FJH FJ914 SYD-NAN

Economy passengers disembarking with view of aircraft.

Immigration and Custom

I was entered immigration area. I was asked about purpose of visit and my duration of stay in Fiji.

Immigration officer wanted to see the itinerary, showed him the details. He stamped passport and I entered the baggage claim.

As the bag was not checked till Sydney,I had to collect bag and exit customs. Bag was passed through X-ray and was allowed to exit without question.

Exiting the Terminal

I exited customs and went to Fiji Airways office. I waited for few minutes for my turn and was advised to ring call center. 

As I couldn't find a landline, I went to Vodafone and asked staff, If I can call to local number. He gave me a phone but it wasn't charged and call couldn't complete. I decided to buy a local sim since I wasn't sure how long I would be calling.

I bought a sim paying in Fiji dollars. After getting sim, I called Fiji Airways and sorted the payment. It took about 10 minutes from ringing to end of call.

I had about 8 hours of transit.

FLight, Route And AircRaft InformaTion

Aircraft had arrived behind schedule.

Aircraft routing

ViDEO: Tokyo (Narita) to Nadi route

This concludes the trip report.

I hope you enjoyed reading this trip report.

Thanks for reading the report and watching the video.

:)