Review of Fiji Airways flight from Nadi to Sydney in Business

Fiji Airways FJ915 Nadi to Sydney

Flight Details:
Airlines: Fiji Airways
Flight: FJ915 NAN - SYD
Reg: DQ-FJN "Island Of Ovalau"
Aircraft: Boeing 737-808
Class: Business
Seat: 1D [Changed to 1A]
Departure Nadi: 7.00pm
Arrival Sydney: 10.10pm
Flight time: 4hours 48minutes
Distance: 3170 km or 1970 miles

Video: Fiji Airways FJ915 Nadi to Sydney

Introduction

This trip report is from Sept 2023. After arriving in Fiji, Read trip report: Fiji Airways FJ350 Tokyo to Nadi

Pre-Departure

I was originally booked in Economy. A day before departure, I received an email to upgrade to Business, which I bid and got approved.

I had checked for the flight while in Tokyo, since the upgrade was last minute. I had to collect boarding pass in Nadi as the credit card processing had some issue with approval.

Nadi Arrival

After landing in Nadi, I visited Fiji Airways office in the airport, was advised to call the number. I got a local number in Fiji and made the call, took few minutes and it was sorted.

Taxi rank outside arrival area.

I called my friend from Fiji to check if his father was in Ba. Since his father was visiting Sydney, I checked if he can recommend a car hire as I wasn't able to get a car. There was movie happening and all car were rented out. Decided against taxi as I would have to walk in heat.

Fiji Airways selfie point

Arrival and departure are separate terminal in Nadi. I walked towards the departure terminal to check the details.

Modernised departure area. Check the terminal in 2013, See report  - Nadi (NAN) - Sydney (SYD) on Air Pacific

My friend organised a car through a contact. I waited in the departure area till 1.00 pm.

Weather

Departure Schedule

Boarding would open at 4.00pm.

Arriving at the Airport

I got the car at 1.00pm and drove to Nadi town. I returned back at 5.00pm to check-in for the flight.

Check-in

Check-in had opened and I dropped bag at the counter. I received the boarding pass.

My check-in bag was light.

As I had nothing else to do, I walked towards the immigration and then security check.

Immigration and Security check

Immigration was quick, in security had to takeout the DJI Pocket 2 for inspection as it has a battery. Laptop had to be removed. Took about 2 minutes and was in the Departure area.

Fiji Airways Lounge

I walked towards the airport lounge which is on lower level. Took lift down for the lounge.

Directions for the lounge

I scanned the boarding pass and was allowed inside the lounge.

Lounge area had plenty of seating

Video: TAbua Club Lounge

I booked shower and had some food while waiting.

Shower buzzer while waiting for my turn.

After having shower, exited the lounge and returned to the departure area.

Waiting for boarding call

Unlike in the past, tarmac view is obstructed by arrival corridor.

Video: Exploring NAdi Airport

Flight schedule, about an hours for departure

Sat close to gate after exploring the terminal.

Checked the flight details on Flightradar24.

Gate area closed

Modernised terminal

Boarding

Announcement was made, flight would be delayed to keep people from crowding around the gate. Boarding was called on time.

Passport was checked and boarding pass was scanned.

I was a bit disappointed to see the rego, it's a Boeing 737-800 not a Max 8.

Onboard

Crew waiting to welcome passengers.

I occupied the allocated seat. 4 passengers in Business including me.

Seated spacing and reading material

Crew handed menu and took order.

I chose butter chicken.

Got a champagne glass for drinks along with water. Seat control on side arms.

I was feeling a little tipsy after all the drinks. Didn't realise, I could move to the other seat as the door was closed.

Crew handed Ipad for entertainment.

Pushback and Departure

Pushback started few minutes behind schedule, taxi was short as aircraft was parked close to runway 20-02.

After departure, my neighbour said she would move to other side. I then realised, I wasted opportunity to take departure video. I said I will move and shifted to the empty seat 1A.

Seat Pocket Content

Seat pocket contained safety card, duty free magazine and air sickness bag

Fiji Airways Boeing 737-800

Full page

Close up

Placed sideways

Water bottle

Seat controls

Dinner Service

Crew served drinks and I had red wine.

Starter followed the drinks

Main dish- Butter chicken, I was tipsy.  Couldn't tell the taste. but papad went well with the red wine.

Dessert

I was tired and sleepy, Something was playing on the drop-down screen.

Flying over the Pacific Ocean

Air vent, light and controls

I was asked I would like tea or coffee, I chose tea.

Loo Visit

I visited the loo.

Loo had hand wash, body lotion and towels

As I was sleepy, I didn't check the entertainment.

Crew was both male and friendly.

Boeing 737-800 window

Arriving in Sydney

As aircraft got closer to Sydney, Light began to appear. Runway for landing would be 16R, which meant a nice city view.

Landing from North on runway 16R. Landed safely and then taxied to gate.

Immigration and Quarantine

I deboard along with other passengers, I filled the immigration form and passed through self-check kiosk.

Quarantine was quick as my bag had arrived early, I had nothing to declare.

FLight, Route And AircRaft InformaTion

Aircraft arrived 15 minutes early.

Aircraft routing

ViDEO: Nadi to Sydney route

Exiting Terminal

I exited the terminal and then joined the taxi queue. I got a taxi and asked driver to take the motorway as I wanted to reach home quickly.

Hope you enjoyed the trip. Thanks for reading.

End of Trip

:)