Review: Fiji Airways 737 MAX business class, Brisbane-Nadi

Introduction

‘Bula!’ The ubiquitous Fijian greeting meaning both hello and welcome is the first word you hear when stepping aboard Fiji Airways’ Boeing 737 to Nadi. It sets an expectant tone for what’s to come on the airline regularly described as ‘a taste of Fijian culture in the sky’.

Given Australians are jetting off to Fiji in record numbers, there’s a high chance many may find themselves reclining in the airline’s 737 MAX 8 business class, with the aircraft regularly connecting Brisbane, Melbourne and Adelaide with its Nadi hub.

The cabin sports eight seats in a 2-2 layout.

Though lacking the lie-flat beds found on its A330 and A350 counterparts, a flight time of under four hours means you won’t really notice. And there’s still plenty to love, like ample space and a well-stocked library of entertainment. That said, it’s not perfect.

Lounge

Jetsetters bound from Brisbane receive a voucher unlocking entry to the Plaza Premium Lounge – perched on the mezzanine level opposite the Air New Zealand lounge entrance, just around the corner from Singapore Airlines.

After clearing customs and making your way through the duty free maze, hang a right by the registers and proceed up the escalator. You’ll see the Plaza Premium on your right.

Previously-offered shower facilities are temporarily unavailable.

Inside you’ll find a fairly standard though beautifully-styled lounge, with a floor-to-ceiling view to the runway on your right, plus a well-stocked buffet and barista coffee station over to the left.

Vertical timber dividers create various zones and nooks for quiet conversation.

Seating choices range from low lounges and runway-view armchairs to private workpods.

The natural tan, cream, brown and grey colour scheme only enhances its relaxed atmosphere.

My early morning visit sees a breakfast spread of bacon, beans, mushrooms and scrambled eggs, pancakes and porridge, plus a mix of cold cuts, salads, cheese and fresh fruit. Juices and barista made coffee round out the offerings.

Dining tables and upright bars round out the seating mix.

Of course, as a Oneworld Connect partner, business class passengers also enjoy access to the Qantas Business Lounge, which spans three levels at the opposite end of the departure hall.

If given the choice, the Qantas lounge would be the one to visit, simply for the greater variety of seating options and meals. Showers are available too for a quick freshen up.

Flight

Fiji Airways currently jets off daily from Brisbane and Melbourne, twice daily from Sydney, and twice weekly from Adelaide. Canberra is entering the mix twice weekly from late July, before ramping up to thrice weekly from October.

Flight time from Brisbane to Nadi is a breezy 3 hours and 30 minutes – enough time to settle in for a movie and enjoy a spot of lunch before descending into the tropical paradise. The reverse is slightly longer at 4 hours and 20 minutes.

A welcome drink is offered prior to take-off.

Business class passengers receive a checked baggage allowance of two pieces up to 30kg, plus two carry-on bags up to a combined weight of 14kg.

Once onboard (and greeted with the first of many warm cries of ‘Bula’), business class guests are offered a welcome drink of orange juice or a soft and fruity Cattier Brut Icône Champagne.

Seat

Debuted in 2018, Fiji Airways’ still-fresh 737 MAX 8 business class cabin features two rows of four seats in a 2-2 layout. While this doesn’t translate to direct aisle access for all, there is plenty of room to manoeuvre around your seatmate – no awkward climbing required.

There's plenty of room to stretch out and recline.

The seat itself sports a light and bright cream and grey colour scheme – a palette which extends to the wider cabin. Some welcome contrast is delivered by a small brown and white pillow, which has a similar ‘masi’ pattern to the airline’s distinctive tail.

There’s an eight-inch recline and adjustable fold-out legrest and footrest, although taller travellers may find the footrest angle somewhat uncomfortable and better left folded up.

The neutral palette is at odds with the vibrancy of the Fiji islands, but does look rather sharp.

When meal time arrives you’ll find a pop-up tray table in the armrest (albeit a little bouncy), in addition to a small slide out tray table between the arm rests – the perfect spot to rest your glass of wine or bubbles.

Beneath the opposite armrest lies a small storage nook (sufficient enough for a tablet), plus AC and USB power outlets. 

The armrest conveniently folds up for easier access to the space.

A bottle of Fiji water is supplied in a storage cubby between the two seats.

Work

Forget to set your out-of-office or need to fire off a few quick emails before switching to relaxation mode? You’re in luck. Inflight WiFi is available in three tiers:

• Free Chat: 15 minutes only – suitable for messaging apps
• Standard Web: USD$11.95 (AUD$18) for the duration of the flight – suitable for emails, social media and browsing
• Full Web: USD$24.95 (AUD$37.50) for the duration of the flight – suitable for streaming

The bounciness of the tray table is noticeably reduced with the weight of an average laptop, instead of a meal tray, though energetic typists will still want to ease off.

Meal

Previously described as ‘island fare with flair’, Fiji Airways’ menu takes inspiration from both the islands of Fiji and Executive Chef Richard Cross’ New Zealand heritage, with travellers presented a choice of Western mainstays, Fijian favourites and Indian classics.

Lunch on my flight consists of a green papaya salad on the side and choice of three mains:

• Southern fried chicken with a potato and onion salad
• beef rendang on turmeric rice
• fetta and spinach frittata topped with savoury tomato jam

The fold-out menu card also details the drinks on today’s flight – two Champagnes, two whites and two reds, as well as spirits, beers (including the iconic Fiji Gold and Fiji Bitter) and non-alcoholic alternatives.

A second drink and small bowl of savoury snacks tide us over prior to the meal.

Pre-lunch snacks and a drink.

As a curry fan, the rendang catches my eye. But while the presentation has flair, the flavour just doesn't hit the mark for me. The texture of the sauce is also a bit gritty for my liking.

Portion sizes are very generous.

Dessert takes the form of lemon curd pavlova with chantilly and chocolate ganache, and some sliced fruit. I miss out on my first choice of the pavlova, but fruit makes for a nice finish.

The fresh fruit is a nice palate cleanser.

Overall, it’s an adequate but not particularly memorable meal.

Entertainment & Service

The flight breezes by with the extensive selection of onboard entertainment, accessible via a 13-inch touchscreen monitor. It runs the gamut from new release movies (J.Lo’s camp action film Shotgun Wedding is my pick) to TV shows, music and games.

The seatback includes a 13-inch touchscreen monitor.

The screen is a long lean from the seat though (I’m glad I brought my distance glasses), so the wired remote makes for a more convenient scrolling experience.

Noise cancelling headphones are supplied but mine prove a bit temperamental, occasionally going haywire with a loud thudding sound; a few taps on the ear cups sorts them out.

In terms of service, you can’t fault the small but agile team. They do a commendable job of keeping meals service progressing, despite the very small galley kitchen onboard.

Verdict

Though only a short hop between Brisbane and Nadi, the business experience is an enjoyable one – and a big step up from its economy counterpart. Additional legroom, a decent recline, multi-course dining and larger monitor combine to a restful experience.

Disembarking to a wide-smiled chorus of ‘Bula!’ at the plane door, followed by a tropical shirt-wearing trio of singers playing acoustic guitars in the immigration hall, holiday feelings soon take hold – and you can’t help but slip into the ‘island time’ vibe.

The writer travelled as a guest of Fiji Airways and Tourism Fiji.