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Fiji Airways Economy Class Review

Melbourne to Nadi to Auckland: Fiji Airways Economy Class Reviewed!

About Fiji Airways

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INTRODUCTION

Fiji Airways was a brand-new airline experience for me, and I was particularly excited to explore their Chef’s Table Experience upon departure from Fiji.

This Fiji Airways Economy review began in Melbourne, bound for Nadi in Fiji, and a few days later, continued from Nadi to Auckland.

An airplane at an airport gate is parked on the tarmac, connected to a jet bridge. The terminal is visible in the background.

With the A350 on this leg from Melbourne, I lucked out—a great aircraft that only flies on select days for this afternoon departure.

It’s a beautiful aircraft with touches of Fijian motifs and colours, creating a unique atmosphere that reflects the airline’s island heritage.

PLane seat with patterned fabric and a decorative headrest cover. Fiji Airways

The LED mood lighting, designed to simulate natural sunlight, helps to reduce jet lag and create a relaxed ambience.

Airplane cabin interior with passengers seated, showing rows of seats, overhead compartments, and screens displaying various content. Pink lighting is visible above the aisles.

MELBOURNE TO NADI

Boarding felt warm and wonderfully laid-back.

About 15 minutes after takeoff, the crew strolled down the aisles holding large bottles of Fiji water, and offering everyone a cup.

A Fiji Airways cup placed on an airplane tray table in front of a passenger seat.

Shortly after, a PA announcement introduced our meal options, which were not two but three choices in economy!

That’s a rarity in economy class on most airlines.

The options:

  • Chicken or fish with noodles and veggies
  • A Makhana (sweet lotus seed) vegetarian dish
Airline meal on a tray with a foil-covered dish, a bread roll, a biscuit, butter, a paper napkin, and a cup with a red drink. Fiji Airways branding is visible on the cup and napkin.

An hour into the flight, I selected the chicken. Peeling back the foil, I was pleasantly surprised by the presentation and the generous portion.

Airplane meal on a tray with noodles, chicken, vegetables, a bread roll, a snack bar, butter, a Fiji Airways napkin, and a drink in a Fiji cup.
Airline meal on tray table: noodles with sesame seeds, chicken, broccoli, carrots, bun, dessert items, and a Fiji Airways paper bag in the background.
Airline meal on a tray with wooden utensils, napkin, salt, pepper, noodle dish, bread roll, and butter.

Fiji Airways also includes complimentary wine and beer in economy, though no spirits.

The meal was flavourful, but I would have liked to see something fresh on the meal tray.

Dessert was a locally-made biscuit, akin to an Aussie Tim Tam but quite bland.

Fiji Airways snack pack on a tray table with a wrapped cream-filled biscuit on a paper napkin.

A more imaginative dessert would have been nice, but I was pleased to see some local Fijian brands on board, when I was snooping in the galley.

Three snack packages on a counter: red-packaged scotch finger biscuits, clear-packaged ghatia, and blue-packaged curlies cheese-flavored snacks.

The galley snacks included scotch finger biscuits from FMF a local brand, Ghatia (made locally) crunchy and spicy deep fried strands made from gram flour dough, and curlies chips from New Zealand.

The crew truly shone. They were attentive and cheerful, checking in frequently to ensure everyone was comfortable.

Out of the two flights I had with Fiji Airways, this crew was hands-down the friendliest, creating a welcoming, easygoing atmosphere that made the flight feel shorter than it was.

NADI TO AUCKLAND

Flight FJ 413 took off from Nadi around 7:30 PM and landed in Auckland just before midnight, this time on a Boeing 737.

Since it was a night flight, pillows and blankets were provided, featuring those familiar motifs once again.

Airplane seat with a patterned pillow and a bag with a blanket on it.

Having dined in the lounge before departure, I ensured that I ordered a special meal for this flight.

I knew I wouldn’t be hungry, and if you’ve seen what I ate before this flight, you’ll understand why!

The service followed a similar flow to the previous flight—water service after takeoff, followed by the meal service.

However, this crew was a bit more reserved and less engaging than the Melbourne-Nadi crew.

Pleasant but distant, they carried out the service without the same warmth.

Tray of airline food with fruit slices, three small cups with fruit, a wrapped bakery item, and a cup of tea on an airplane tray table.

On this leg, passengers had two meal choices: a pasta dish or a vegetarian option. Unlike the Melbourne flight, there was no PA announcement for meals; the crew described the options as they served each row.

My meal was delivered about 30 minutes after takeoff, and I wasn’t offered a drink choice; instead, the crew just poured some apple juice into my cup.

I loved the fruit platter. It’s the first time I’ve ordered one as a special meal.

Airplane meal on a tray includes sliced fruit, a roll wrapped in "Fiji Airways" packaging, a cup of beverage, and small containers with fruit pieces.

My tray consisted of kiwi, pineapple, watermelon, pear, and orange. For such a simple, special meal, there was plenty of variety.

About an hour later, the crew returned to collect the trays. Although service on this flight felt slower and less polished than on the previous leg, it still got the job done.

I managed to snap a quick photo of my seatmate’s pasta dish, which seemed decent.

Airplane meal with chicken, pasta, broccoli, carrots, a bread roll, beverage in a cup, and various snacks on the tray table.

FINAL THOUGHTS

Overall, my Fiji Airways economy experience was enjoyable.

The airline balances a sense of Fijian culture with thoughtful touches—like local brands on the meal tray and genuine hospitality from the crew on the first leg.

While there were minor differences in service quality between flights, the airline’s commitment to a warm, welcoming experience shone through.