In case you are struggling to redeem your factors and miles throughout the Pacific for lie-flat consolation, I’ve a tip for you.
It is an airline you may not have thought-about when flying between North America and Australia or New Zealand that is based mostly on a tropical island archipelago with fewer than 1 million inhabitants.
I’ve flown dozens of airways in enterprise class, however my latest flight from Fiji to Dallas was my first time on Fiji Airways.
It has leaped into my listing of prime 5 airways I’ve flown — this is why.
Associated: Racing to Fiji: American Airlines vs. Cathay Pacific vs. Fiji Airways
Good award availability with companion miles
Though a small airline when it comes to fleet dimension, Fiji Airways gives a number of transpacific routes on its flagship Airbus A350 plane, flying from the next mainland North American gateways to its hub at Fiji’s Nadi Worldwide Airport (NAN):
- Los Angeles Worldwide Airport (LAX)
- San Francisco Worldwide Airport (SFO)
- Dallas Fort Price Worldwide Airport (DFW)
- Vancouver Worldwide Airport (YVR) in British Columbia
Whereas business-class award availability throughout the Pacific might be exceptionally powerful to search out, I’ve discovered Fiji Airways to be simpler to safe upfront on the lowest saver charges than Qantas- and American Airways-operated flights. Fiji Airways sometimes releases extra business-class award seats after preliminary seat availability is loaded 330 to 350 days upfront, so it is price setting alerts with the handy Seats.aero tool, as you would possibly get up to a nice shock (as I did).
As a Oneworld alliance member, you’ll be able to guide Fiji Airways enterprise class with factors and miles from companion airline applications like Qantas Frequent Flyer and British Airways Club.
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Nevertheless, one of the best costs for business-class flights to Fiji are by means of the Alaska Airlines Atmos Rewards program (simply 75,000 factors one-way) and the American Airlines AAdvantage program (80,000 miles one-way). You may proceed on to Australia or New Zealand for a similar variety of AAdvantage miles or 10,000 extra Atmos Rewards factors, offered there’s saver availability for each flights.
We booked this flight from NAN to DFW with Alaska Airways Mileage Plan miles (now called Atmos Rewards points).
Associated: I’ve never flown Alaska Airlines before — here’s why I want its new premium credit card
Real but polished Fijian hospitality
The crew couldn’t have been kinder from the second I boarded till I deplaned. The eye to element impressed me with touches like wine bottles being introduced at my seat and drinks poured in entrance of me, my tray desk being set with out the usage of a tray for the principle dinner service, edible flowers and even an imitation candle for a moody eating impact.
The purser additionally approached me throughout descent, noting that my fixed photo-taking indicated I used to be an skilled traveler and asking whether or not I had any options for bettering the expertise.
That is akin to the excessive stage of service I’ve witnessed in enterprise class on award-winning airlines like Qatar Airways.
Vacation mode as quickly as you step on board
There have been loads of enjoyable Fijian touches on board my flight that immediately put me on “island time,” like pineapple-scented sizzling towels and signature cocktails with regionally distilled gin with notes of sun-dried kava and curry leaf.
Whereas I doubt many vacationers select an airline based mostly on its livery or font, I can not keep in mind a time when an airline’s branding left such a powerful impression on me as Fiji Airways. The barkcloth paintings, designed by Fijian Masi artist Makereta Matemosi, mixed with the Bula customized typeface designed particularly for Fiji Airways was distinctive, elegant and immediately evoked emotions of being someplace enjoyable and peaceable.
Restaurant-quality, dine-on-demand delicacies
Quite than serving gadgets from trolleys wheeled by means of the aisles, all dishes have been served from the galley, like in a restaurant. Whereas orders have been taken throughout boarding, I used to be assured I used to be welcome to eat at any time and requested for my most well-liked meal instances (which might be adjusted throughout the flight).
The meals was of top of the range and properly introduced, beginning with a smoked tomato tartare with avocado cream and basil oil, adopted by the native delicacy of grilled mahi-mahi fish with steamed ota (a crisp native inexperienced) and a scrumptious mango ginger cheesecake with a crystallized ginger almond crust for dessert.
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My feta parsley omelet with lentil fritters and tomato marmalade the next morning was one thing I’d have been thrilled to be served at an upmarket breakfast cafe Down Beneath.
A soothing stopover between North America and Australia or New Zealand
I spent a number of days in Fiji after flying in from Australia earlier than my flight to Dallas. It was my first time within the nation, and I used to be completely charmed by how relaxed, pleasant and hospitable everybody was, to not point out the spectacular seashores and glorious climate, even within the moist season.
For example, I suffered a flat tire one night and pulled over to the facet of the freeway to try to exchange it. Regardless of constant rain making the duty disagreeable, an area driving by insisted on stopping and altering the tire for me with a heat smile, a cheery wave and a “welcome to Fiji” when he departed quickly afterward.
In case you are in search of a number of days of downtime as you cross the Pacific in both course, Fiji is a peaceable, secure and simple choice.
Methods to earn factors and miles to guide Fiji Airways enterprise class
It is simple to earn Atmos Rewards factors and AAdvantage miles with the correct bank card. Listed below are a few of the finest welcome gives out there proper now:
- Atmos Rewards Summit Visa Infinite Credit Card ($395 annual payment): Earn 80,000 bonus factors and a 25,000-point International Companion Award after spending $4,000 on purchases inside the first 90 days of opening your account.
- Atmos™ Rewards Ascent Visa Signature® credit card ($95 annual payment): Earn 70,000 bonus factors and a $99 Companion Fare (plus taxes and charges from $23) after spending $3,000 on purchases inside the first 90 days of opening your account.
- Atmos™ Rewards Visa Signature® Business Card: ($70 annual payment for the corporate and $25 per card): Earn 70,000 bonus factors and a $99 Companion Fare (plus taxes and charges from $23) after spending $4,000 on purchases inside the first 90 days of opening your account.
- Citi® / AAdvantage® Executive World Elite Mastercard® ($595 annual payment; see rates and fees): For a restricted time, earn 100,000 bonus miles after spending $10,000 on purchases inside the first three months of account opening.
- Citi® / AAdvantage® Globe™ Mastercard® ($350 annual payment; see rates and fees): For a restricted time, earn 90,000 bonus miles after spending $5,000 on purchases inside the first 4 months of account opening.
- Citi® / AAdvantage Business™ World Elite Mastercard® ($99 annual payment, waived the primary yr; see rates and fees): Earn 65,000 bonus miles after spending $4,000 on purchases inside the first 4 months from account opening.
You can even switch Bilt Rewards Factors to Atmos Rewards factors and Citi ThankYou Rewards factors to AAdvantage miles at a 1:1 fee.
Backside line
Fiji Airways’ Airbus A350 enterprise class was a nice shock. I wasn’t anticipating such a formidable product from a small and comparatively unknown airline, and it might probably simply compete with the world’s finest with a incredible onboard product, meals and repair.
Enterprise-class awards to Fiji begin at simply 75,000 Atmos Rewards factors or 80,000 AAdvantage miles one-way. Fiji Airways deserves a spot in your radar the following time you are planning a visit to the South Pacific, Australia or New Zealand, particularly in case you are struggling to search out moderately priced redemptions on nonstop providers throughout the Pacific.
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