“Bula!” say the perfectly-groomed air staff as we board our Fiji Airways flight from Sydney to Nadi Airport and (excitingly) turn left into Business Class.
Business Class flying has long been a dream for many Aussies.
But making it a reality is tricky, in a cost-of-living and fuel crisis where even economy fares are sky-rocketing.
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One of the easiest ways to fly business class in 2026 is to opt for a shorter trip and closer destination, so you can still get a chance to experience the luxury — but don’t have to pay upwards of $10,000 per person.
Fiji is the perfect destination for this.
Neither too frustratingly close (so you don’t get to experience all the perks of flying business), nor too far, four and a half hours is the perfect length of trip to sample the food, the experience and the comfort before disembarking for a tropical trip.
Recently, I had the opportunity to put Fiji Airways’ Business Class to the test on an A350 flight from Sydney to Nadi Airport to visit the islands with my husband and two young children.
With Fiji Airways having won a string of awards, including the APEX World Class Airline for 2026, as well as the APEX Innovation Award for Best Inflight Food/Beverage for 2026 and the APEX Best Cabin Service Award, we were excited.
Check-in, boarding and takeoff
In July 2025, Tourism Fiji revealed that the island nation had attracted the highest number of visitor arrivals in Fiji’s history, nudging close to 100,000 travellers in a month.
And many of these travellers are seeking to fly Fiji Airways.
Dubbed the “World’s Happiest Airline” by new Managing Director and CEO Paul Scurrah, it’s sunshine and warmth from check-in.
After arriving at Sydney International Airport, checking in our bags with the friendly staff and enjoying a quick coffee and snack in the Qantas Lounge — which business Fiji Airways guests are entitled to use — it was on to the plane and in to our seats.
From the outset, it was clear that Fiji Airways is a step above your average flight experience.
Everything felt like a celebration of Fijian culture — from the staff’s uniforms to the divine lemongrass-scented bathrooms, the Fiji Water bottles given to us at our seats and the delicious locally-inspired menu (more on this later).
I was impressed by how much space there was in our fully-reclining seats, as well as how well the on-board wifi worked once we had finished takeoff.
The A350 is a feat of modern engineering in and of itself.
Primarily servicing Los Angeles, San Francisco, Sydney, and Auckland, this aircraft features a two-class configuration with 33 fully flat-bed business class seats and 301 economy seats, offering a quiet, spacious, and highly comfortable experience wherever you’re seated.
In Business Class, we had access to luxurious leather Collins Aerospace Super Diamond, fully lie-flat seats. 1-2-1 seat configurations and direct aisle access.
All of this alongside 17 inch personal entertainment screens, USB port, in-seat power and generous storage space.
The food and drink
Of course, Business Class is not Business Class without the food.
And in this award-winning capacity, Fiji Airways truly excels.
A few moments after sitting down in our seats, my husband and I were offered a choice of juice, sparkling rose or champagne, along with a warm towel, while our four-year-old daughter was given a glass of juice.
With the dining menu already at your seat when you sit down, you’re free to peruse the menu and select what you’d like to eat and drink throughout the flight.
This means that when you order, you can order your food for the whole flight and don’t have to keep flicking back to the menu, unless you want additional drinks throughout
Our flight from Sydney to Fiji was around lunchtime, so we were browsing the lunch and dinner menu.
From an extensive selection, I chose a Sesame Crusted Tuna with Endive, Tomato, Cucumber Pearls and Sesame Dressing to start, before enjoying a main course of Coconut Crusted Barramundi with Mango Chilli Salasa, Asparagus, Rice Cake and Whipped Butter for a main.
For my dessert, I plumped for Artisanal Cheeses with Quince Paste, Apricot and Spiced Fruit Crisps, because who wouldn’t?
I accompanied all of this with a glass of the 2024 Dog Point Sauvignon Blanc and then a glass of the 2022 Sean Minor Chardonnay.
The food itself, in particular the tuna and barramundi, was delicious.
Fiji Airways has recently introduced a new vibrant Pacific Rim inspired menu in Business Class, taking inspiration from regions across its global network like Asia, Oceania and North America, whilst heroing local Fijian ingredients.
I felt this through the Coconut Crust and Sesame Crusted Tuna.
On the return journey, we had the opportunity to sample Breakfast as well, which comprised a deliciously fresh Smoothie, Fruit Bowl of Seasonal Sliced Fruit and a Feta Parsley Omelette with Lentil Fritter and Tomato Marmalade.
I was also low-key delighted when I was able to get my mandatory barista-made oat flat white, as well as a glass of morning Champagne.
Overall, I’d highly rate the food on board Fiji Airways.
The dishes are freshly finished and plated onboard with thoughtful additions like Artisanal Fijian chocolate and handcrafted Vau flower to ensure restaurant-quality presentation.
The cabin crew are specifically trained in culinary service and wine training to deliver a personalised and seamless experience.
The extras
When it comes to the little things, this is where Fiji Airways really excels.
Friendly staff, extra legroom, reading light, literature holder and excellent in-flight entertainment? Tick tick tick.
But the biggest and perhaps the best extra of them all is the Fiji Airways Premier Service, which is — quite honestly — like nothing else I’ve ever experienced.
Upon touching down in Nadi, we were greeted by a team member, who asked us to describe our (excessive amount of) bags, before rushing off to get them for us before we had even got through security.
On the way back from Nadi to Sydney, the service was even better.
Having been personally escorted through the airport, check-in and security before being left in our own private room within the lounge, I am not sure I want to go back to flying any other way.
The new Premier Service offers unparalleled convenience for travellers arriving, departing or connecting through Nadi International Airport.
It allows any Fiji Airways passenger to enjoy fast-tracked immigration, expedited customs processing, priority boarding, personalised assistance at Nadi International Airport and more, to ensure a convenient and seamless airport experience.
Now available to book at FijiAirways.com, Fiji Airways’ Premier Service packages start from FJD 170 per person (approximately $117 AUD), with family packages available.
The verdict
Overall, I think if you can spare the cash to fly to Nadi Business Class on Fiji Airways, it is more than worth it.
The 1-2-1 configuration ensures direct aisle access for all passengers, and with the staff on board, you always feel cared for — no matter when you need them.
Highlights for me were the food, the attention to detail and local culture that is threaded through everything the airline does.
Unlike many airlines, which just feel like big money-making conglomerates, Fiji Airways feels like a sustainable airline that really cares about its passengers.
It’s an airline that truly gets you into that Fijian spirit, before you even touch down. Bula indeed.
Fiji Airways offers multiple flights weekly from Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Adelaide, Canberra, Gold Coast and Cairns to Nadi, Fiji.
For more information and to browse flights for yourself, head here now.
Sophie Haslett travelled as a guest of Fiji Airways.
