CMK10

Another terrific update, you deserve all the praise you're getting ^

fly747first

No, the A330-200s were delivered brand-new directly from Airbus to FJ. The J seats are identical to the SQ A330-300 ones except that they have different colors and the IFE is a far cry from KrisWorld.

I did LAX - NAN - SYD last year in FJ J and was not impressed at all. Even in J, the food leaves much to be desired. The cabin crew on both legs was friendly, but very inefficient and on the lazy side--not once did they offer a refill without pax asking.

DanielW

Awesome capture, Matt. Definitely worth the risk of getting you phone a little soggy!

jackrussellterrier

Great report as usual Matt. How do your commutes from England to Germany compare? For fun when you have the time it might be good to see a report. I'm sure you could actually make it interesting…although I think I'll do Fiji first from my own interest

BA5E

Thanks for sharing the remainder of your stay in Fiji, it looks absolutely amazing, and the photos definitely show it, love the pic of the guy at the end of the infinity pool, bet you were sorry to leave behind that lovely place, it looked so relaxing and away from the hub bub of city life. Yes, do wonder how your commute from MUC to LHR each week is going, ^

Moomba

Especially knowing he would soon be returning to the UK.

Another great report matthandy the pool shots were definitely worth the 'risk'.

farbster

I think you should have sent a search party for your steak. That piece of meat looked puny, especially compared to the FF's.

Great report!

Was it worth the travel to go to a beach if there are so many nice beach resorts in Australia? Just wondering, having been to neither of course

matthandy

You should themapelligroup. It's a very nice place to relax.

Thank you joelangphoto. Yes, I'm very pleased with that photo.

This trip was taken in February 2014 as a reward for finishing work in fact!

Thanks Genius1. I think that group psychology played a part here, plus the fact that no crew were to be seen and I couldn't get up out of my seat.

Unfortunately not, the fares aren't particularly cheap.

Thanks Genius1. No upgrades on the return either but on the 737 I wasn't as fussed.

That's very kind of your to say CMK10. Thank you very much.

Inexperience perhaps? I had a pretty good crew member when I was in J from NAN-SYD last time around. It was on the 737 though so only 8 passengers to serve!

Thanks very much DanielW.

Well, I can assure you that it's pretty uninteresting actually! The only thing interesting about it is the fact that I have status with BA and many of my colleagues do not. I get hounded to guest people into the lounge at LHR!

Thanks very much BA5E. I wish that I could go back actually.

Thanks Moomba. Aren't we due another TR from you soon?

Thanks farbster. There are many amazing beaches in Australia. I don't know if there are many 'resorts' as such, perhaps in Queensland. I fancied going somewhere outside of Australia to be honest.

matthandy

Fiji Airways – Nadi to Sydney

The ride back to the airport took about an hour and for the first time in 5 days I actually got to see life outside of the resort. It was a shame that the tour that I had attempted to go on didn't run.

As with these pre-arranged transfers I ended up arriving at the airport rather early (around 3 hours) before the schedule 18.30 departure of FJ915. There isn't a huge amount to do at the airport either but I did have my iPad to keep my entertained.

Check was rather slow and it seemed like the flight was quite busy. It took a good 30 minutes or so to make my way to the front of the queue. I asked about an upgrade to business but was told again that they had all been sold, no matter. This flight was on a 737-800 so it didn't quite have the same prestige as the A330. The A330 operates the 9am flight which was too early for me. I wanted to have the extra time at the resort.

After check in I made my way through security and passport control which was relatively painless and then out into the departure area. The main area is up an escalator, with the lower level dedicated to duty free shops and the lounges.

There wasn't a huge amount to do in the departure area to be honest. I spent the time reading my book and watching films on my iPad. At about 6pm, a call was made that boarding would be begin shortly. It should be noted that there are no actual gate areas, everyone has to wait in the central area and then just join the queue when boarding starts.

The departure lounge


Looking out over the apron

Nadi to Sydney – Fiji Airways Economy

Flight: FJ915
Carrier: Fiji Airways (FJ)
Aircraft: Boeing 737-800 – DQ-FJM
Scheduled Departure Time: 18:30
Scheduled Duration: 4h 55m
Scheduled Arrival Time: 21:25
Travel Class: Economy
Seat: 15F (seat map)

Boarding was somewhat disorganised. Business and Tabua Club members were called first but then two queues formed. To be honest, I'm over letting myself get stressed by boarding chaos. I joined the back of the queue and waited to board. Eventually my boarding pass was scanned and I made my way to the air bridge. For Australia bound flights at international airports there are often additional bag checks and this was the case here. Several security officers were randomly stopping people to search their bags. I'm not sure how effective this really is as they only really take casual glances.

The aircraft on this flight back was a 737. As I mentioned previously, the A330 only does the early morning flight to operate the afternoon flight back from Sydney. No matter. This was actually FJ's newest 737, borrowed from Air Berlin which explains the German on some of the signs.

I was welcomed on board and then made my way to my seat, 15F which is actually the second row of economy. The seats were comfortable enough for this almost 5 hour flight.

Take us to Sydney please


Welcome on board


Leg room, it was fine


My view, on the ground


German signs

Boarding seemed to take a while but soon the doors were closed on this rather full flight. Push back commenced and the manual safety demonstration took place. As we started to taxi out to the runway I noticed a large number of birds on the apron. They didn’t seem to be too bothered about the aircraft moving over them which was a little bit concerning.

Take off was smooth and we were soon on our way to our cruising altitude. I don't recall the flight time that was given but I don't remember it being as long as the scheduled 4 hours and 55 minutes.

As we took off there was a beautiful and prolonged sunset which bathed the aircraft in the most amazing orange glow.

The service started soon after take-off and it was basically the same as on the outbound, a rather disgusting looking chicken roll and a small tub of coleslaw. FJ really do need to up their game in this area. Even some of the free domestic meals that QF give away are better.

The sun begins to set


Orange clouds


An orange sparkle on the engine


Rather horrible food

After my food box was cleared away I spent the rest of the flight finishing off my book. I really remember the flight as being somewhat relaxing. The passenger next to me wasn't a fidget and there was little to look at out of the window once the sun had gone down. It was a rather nice way to spend a few hours by myself.

We arrived into Sydney before our scheduled arrival time and I was off the aircraft pretty quickly. I was pleased to find that I was able to use the eGates to enter Australia. It seems that it works with visas which is good news.

My bag arrived reasonably quickly and then instead of stating 'nothing to declare' on my incoming passenger card I told them that I had some shells in my bag. It was the shell necklace that I'd been given. Although it doesn't quite fit in with my fashion sense I like to keep little mementos from my trips and wanted to keep that. I had a queue up for a little while before being given the 'are you stupid' look from the customs officer when I told her what I had in my bag and then waved through.

A quick train ride later and I was home after a rather satisfactory trip. Now the work would have to start on packing up my life to move back to the UK….. That's for another trip report.

Thanks for reading, until next time....

Previous Reports

If you liked this report, you might also like to browse my previous reports:


- Nov 2013: http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/trip-...d-cns-syd.html
- Oct 2013: http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/trip-...-business.html
- June 2013: http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/trip-...bay-hotel.html
- April 2013: http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/trip-...kend-fiji.html
- Jan 2013: http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/trip-...y-via-hkg.html
- June 2012: http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/trip-...-cx-ba-ez.html
- May 2012: http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/trip-...ge-sydney.html
- Mar 2012: http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/trip-...s-syd-akl.html
- Jan 2012: http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/trip-...turn-a380.html
- Dec 2011: http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/trip-...ia-qantas.html
- Sept 2011: http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/trip-...w-zealand.html
- June 2011: http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/trip-...d-bangkok.html – BA Forum Trip Report of the Year 2011
- January 2011: http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/trip-...r-qf-a380.html
- December 2010: http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/trip-...tas-767-a.html
- November 2010: http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/trip-...el-qantas.html
- September 2010: http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/trip-...747-400-a.html
- May 2010: http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/trip-...-business.html
- March 2010: http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/trip-...a-wedding.html
- February 2010: http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/trip-...eb-2010-a.html – BA Forum Trip Report of the Year 2010
- Nov–Dec 2009: http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/trip-...y-pacific.html
- Feb 2009: http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/trip-...d-lhr-jfk.html
- Nov 2008: http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/trip-...rld-777-a.html
- Oct 2008: http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/trip-...747-400-a.html
- Sept 2008 - My first TR: http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/trip-...lub-world.html

Blackcloud

Thanks for the wonderful trip report matthandy another example of your photography and writing skills.

nsolitude

I think your photos of Fiji's beaches can probably convince my beach-allergic boyfriend to consider a trip. I really liked how colourful the room seems to be!

ellielovesem

Great report as always, it certainly looks very nice there.

Looking forward to your next report, please don't make us wait too long