murrayhill
Jul 17, 03, 4:02 pm
A little late on this, but memory still serves me well:
Set to fly with fiance from LAX to FIJI on FJ 811, a 747-200. Plane was relatively fine, especially an exit row in 45J (try to snag row 34 for a two-seater version). LAX was a bit chaotic, though FJ counter was comparatively serene. Even in L.A. they seem to be on Fiji time. My bags were selected for an explosives screening. Unlucky for me, TSA guy got suspicious of duffel of guy in front of me and out everything came. Meanwhile, I'm checked in but my bags are in limbo, and it took 20 minutes to straighten that out. Fortunately, wasn't omen for flight and the rest of my stay in Fiji, which is magical.
The plane was a 747-200 that was a bit on the old side. There were few movie screens to watch; we had to crane our necks to see one in the middle about 20 feet away. Not a big deal, since I hit the hay soon after a light meal. At the outset it seemed chintzy, but maybe they assume everyone's going to nod off for the 10-hour flight so why bother. Breakfast was a little more complete, with a cheese omelette, sausages, muffin and the like.
For future fliers, FJ's acquired a 747-400 that has much nicer entertainment systems, among other accoutrements. It's supposed to fly this route and they'll shift this plane over to the Sydney run. But you never know.
Same plane and seats on the way back on FJ810. Nadi Airport is undergoing renovations that should be finished soon, if not already. Much more user-friendly than it was. A decent restaurant is just beyond the FJ gates. Don't gripe if your hotel wants to take you back to the airport early. It pays to do that when the plane, like ours, was full and the FJ local crew doesn't exactly spring to attention.
Instead, avoid the mob scene and comparison shop in duty-free. Two of Fiji's department-store chains have large competing shops. Pride's will also bargain with you on some items, including perfumes. Prices on liquor were good, not great. Note that many items, like Jim Beam and Captain Morgan's rum are actually made under license in NZ or Australia.
Flight home was uneventful. We landed late and bags took forever to unload, then the Mensa candidates at LAX had them coming off two conveyor belts. That was the worst part of the trip. When you leave Fiji you do so with great reluctance. Paradise indeed.
Set to fly with fiance from LAX to FIJI on FJ 811, a 747-200. Plane was relatively fine, especially an exit row in 45J (try to snag row 34 for a two-seater version). LAX was a bit chaotic, though FJ counter was comparatively serene. Even in L.A. they seem to be on Fiji time. My bags were selected for an explosives screening. Unlucky for me, TSA guy got suspicious of duffel of guy in front of me and out everything came. Meanwhile, I'm checked in but my bags are in limbo, and it took 20 minutes to straighten that out. Fortunately, wasn't omen for flight and the rest of my stay in Fiji, which is magical.
The plane was a 747-200 that was a bit on the old side. There were few movie screens to watch; we had to crane our necks to see one in the middle about 20 feet away. Not a big deal, since I hit the hay soon after a light meal. At the outset it seemed chintzy, but maybe they assume everyone's going to nod off for the 10-hour flight so why bother. Breakfast was a little more complete, with a cheese omelette, sausages, muffin and the like.
For future fliers, FJ's acquired a 747-400 that has much nicer entertainment systems, among other accoutrements. It's supposed to fly this route and they'll shift this plane over to the Sydney run. But you never know.
Same plane and seats on the way back on FJ810. Nadi Airport is undergoing renovations that should be finished soon, if not already. Much more user-friendly than it was. A decent restaurant is just beyond the FJ gates. Don't gripe if your hotel wants to take you back to the airport early. It pays to do that when the plane, like ours, was full and the FJ local crew doesn't exactly spring to attention.
Instead, avoid the mob scene and comparison shop in duty-free. Two of Fiji's department-store chains have large competing shops. Pride's will also bargain with you on some items, including perfumes. Prices on liquor were good, not great. Note that many items, like Jim Beam and Captain Morgan's rum are actually made under license in NZ or Australia.
Flight home was uneventful. We landed late and bags took forever to unload, then the Mensa candidates at LAX had them coming off two conveyor belts. That was the worst part of the trip. When you leave Fiji you do so with great reluctance. Paradise indeed.