Fiji Airways Nadi to Tonga: The Best Business 737 Experience
I have flown many 737s in my day. Some were better than others (see Ethiopian Business JNB-ADD: The Worst Flight Experience). Undoubtedly, the Fiji Airways flight from Nadi, Fiji to Tonga was the best. Here’s why: Bula! Service I wrote about the great service aboard Fiji Airways on my first flight from Vancouver to Nadi (see Bula! Fiji Airways Vancouver to Nadi Flight Review). That service isn’t only found on long-haul. It was also provided on this short 1.5 hour flight to Tonga. So Much Space Some airlines cram in as many business class seats as possible. Fiji Airways had a total of 4. Food Despite the short duration of the flight, there was great meal service. Fiji Water Cost It only costs 12,500 Avios and $52 versus $466 to fly business (see Bus-Ted: Bula! Fiji Hub Points & Cash Summary). Another Go Around The Fiji Airways experience lasted a little longer than expected. Right before landing, the wind picked up and the pilot had to abort and go around one more time. Overall I didn’t have any luck finding business class flights on Fiji Airways for islands in the Pacific. I am glad I was able to experience it when I could.
2023 What I Spent (And Received) in Annual Fees
- $95 Citi ThankYou Premier: 80k sign-up bonus.
- $95 Alaska: 70k sign-up bonus.
- $99 IHG Business: 165k sign-up bonus.
- $95 Hilton Business: 150k sign-up bonus, free night in any category
- $395 Capital One Venture X: 75k sign-up bonus
- $695 Amex Platinum Business: 150k sign-up bonus
- $595 Citi AA Exec: 100k sign-up bonus.
- $99 Alaska Business Card: 50k sign-up bonus
- $95 Chase Ink: 3X marketing
- $99 IHG Personal: 1 free night
- $95 Chase Hyatt: 1 free night
- $125 Amex Marriott Business: 1 free night
- $95 Amex Marriott: 1 free night
- $95 Chase Marriott: 1 free night
Sheraton Fiji: We Appreciate Your Loyalty!
Getting There There is no Uber in Fiji. You have to negotiate to get to the hotel. $40FJD ($18USD) is what I paid from the airport. On the way back, there is a set price of $52FJD ($23USD).
Introduction Bula! And welcome to the Sheraton Fiji where they appreciate your loyalty. My flight landed at 5:20AM (see Bula! Fiji Airways Vancouver to Nadi Flight Review), and I arrived at the hotel far too early to check-in. At check-in, I was offered espresso and was told that it may take some time for my room to be ready. Instead of taking a nap at the pool like I did when I arrived too early in Barbados (see Radisson Barbados: Beach Club Or Resort?), I found a comfy couch and worked on my laptop. After a half hour, the manager of the hotel came to greet me. He apologized that my room was not ready and offered me complimentary breakfast. Breakfast There are two choices for breakfast. One is a buffet zoo full of children, the other is an adults only, all-you-can-drink mimosa experience. Which would you select? As far as the breakfast goes, it was basic but filling. I had it both days I was there. Had I stayed longer, I may have braved the screaming children in exchange for variety. At the conclusion of breakfast, I received this surprise: Time to Check-In After three hours of too many mimosas, I was told that my room was ready. Room The room was in a private caseta with a view of the ocean. Bathroom Champagne Anyone? Ready to unwind, I heard a knock on the door: Champagne Party As a lifetime elite, I was invited to an art exhibit in the hotel where I was offered even more champagne. Resort Itself I live in a golf resort in Rio Mar, Puerto Rico. For me, the experience of unwinding at a resort is not my idea of travel, especially when there are so many kids running around. But that isn’t to say that the resort was not beautiful. Golf Like the golf course in Rio Mar, the Sheraton’s golf course is in need of hydration and irrigation. I did not inquire how much it would cost to play but given the condition of the course and my previous experience of golfing in Tahiti (see Golf in Tahiti? Not in This Town), I am glad I passed. Overall “We appreciate your loyalty,” is a phrase that is used but not meant. At the Sheraton Fiji it was sincere and I appreciated it.
Luggage Storage: Nadi, Fiji Airport
Some blog topics are sexy. Some are useful. This one is the latter. Typically, I only travel with a small roller and a backpack. However, since I was embarking on my residency in Melbourne & Bangkok Residencies, I also had one checked bag. The issue with a checked bag is that I was going to be going to Tonga, Samoa, Kiribati, and back to Fiji before heading to Melbourne. There was no way that I was going to bring that extra suitcase to all those countries. Fortunately, Fiji Airport has an affordable bag storage. For $30, I was able to store my bag for nine days. TPOL’s Tip: The baggage storage is right after customs in the arrival terminal.
Bula! Fiji Airways Vancouver to Nadi Flight Review
Fiji Airways Vancouver to Nadi Flight Review is part of the Bula! Fiji Hub Trip Report. This post is also part of the Melbourne & Bangkok Residencies.
I was exhausted after exploring Vancouver (see Guns & Butter: Vancouver, Canada Travel Guide (Organic Edition)). I looked forward to my 11-hour business class flight aboard Fiji Airways to Nadi.
Bula!
Bula was a word I would hear frequently throughout this trip. It means hello or welcome in Fijian, but the sincerity of the word cannot be translated. This warmness of the flight attendants and the Fijian people is authentic.
Booking
Recall the work I put into getting the lie-flat seats from Toronto to Vancouver (see Booking Miles & Smiles on Air Canada: Takes Calls, Emails, Luck). That was worth the effort (see Worth It! Lie Flat Toronto to Vancouver on Air Canada). Finding business class for two on Fiji Airways was no small challenge either (see 55K Alaskan to Fiji And My New Melbourne Residence). It too was worth the effort.
Seats
Look at these beautiful seats:
Welcome Drink
Off to paradise, I had the prerequisite glass of champagne.
Amenities Kit
Here is a wild twist on eyeshades. The rest of the amenity kit was basic.
Sleep
I was so tired that I fell asleep almost immediately after the welcome drink. I didn’t have the strength to ring the call button for the bedding.
Dinner
I slept for 8 hours and missed dinner.
Breakfast
I did wake up for breakfast.
Fiji Water
This was a necessary photo:
Overall
When I first started points travel, I used to stay awake during the entire flight, overeat, and overdrink. Having done this for so long, the pressure to do that is now gone. I can now rest knowing that the next business class flight is not far away. On Fiji Airways, given the comfortable seat and friendly service, this was easy to do.
Blogging Automation Fail
Michigan Wolverines National Champions! I Can Die in Peace
It’s been a long journey since I went to the Rose Bowl in 1998 to watch Michigan win a national championship. Yesterday, they did it again. My first feeling and it’s safe to assume the feeling of many of my fellow Wolverines is one of relief. The misery of App State, Rich Rod, Brady Hoke, the Aussie punt against MSU, among many, many other decapitating memories is washed away by the elation of hoisting the championship trophy. While detractors might say that I did not personally contribute to the championship, i.e., I did not score any touchdowns yesterday, they are wrong. The Michigan faithful have put in their time attending, watching, complaining, and cheering for this university. I have spent a small fortune running around the country following this team. Accordingly, here is my historical tribute to the 2024 National Champion Michigan Wolverines! The Sugar Bowl New Orleans: Celebrating Brady Hoke The Best Sports Stadiums: The Big House Citrus Bowl Stadium: Where Even the Band Battles The Game: A Wolverine’s Guide For Surviving Columbus Michigan vs Florida: A Review Of Cowboy Stadium Michigan v. Wisconsin: Formerly Camp Randall Stadium Review Finally, A Happy Thanksgiving: Hail to the Victors! Cheaters! Spartan Stadium Review As Michigan football goes, so goes my life. All problems feel tremendously worse with a Michigan loss. All problems feel trivial with a Michigan win. Today, I have zero problems and Ohio State ain’t #won.
Simply The Best: TPOL in 2023
Simply The Best: December 2023
December may be the laziest month in my blogging career. In an effort to increase blogging efficiency, I ended up doing nothing. Here are the posts from December:
Happy Festivus! Airing of Points Grievances 2023
SkyTeam Lounge Vancouver: Ready to Go
SkyTeam Lounge Review Vancouver is part of the Bula! Fiji Hub Trip Report. This post is also part of the Melbourne & Bangkok Residencies.
I have done spent so much on this trip already. It was time to reset at the lounge in anticipation for the real part of the trip, starting with one night in Fiji. Flying Fiji Airways business (see 55K Alaskan to Fiji And My New Melbourne Residence), I was given access to the SkyTeam Lounge Vancouver.
Bar
After a day of exploring Vancouver (see Guns & Butter: Vancouver, Canada (Organic Edition)), I had no interest in drinking, only eating.
Food
There was plenty of food, self-serve style.
But I would recommend made to order soup.
Overall
Let the journey begin!