Fiji Airways Airbus A350: January 2020 debut for Sydney, Los Angeles
By David Flynn, July 2 2019
Fiji Airways plans to fly its new Airbus A350s to Sydney and Los Angeles as of January 1, 2020.
It'll be quite a way to ring in the new year, especially for passengers at the pointy end of the two advanced jets, which will sport 33 fully-flat business class seats using the popular Collins Aerospace 'Super Diamond' design (shown below in its dressy catalogue form).
This is the same business class seat as already flown by Virgin Australia, Air Canada, Qatar Airways and, with some customisations including a sliding privacy door, will also serve as British Airways' new Club Suite (below).
Travel-friendly traits of the seat include ample personal storage space, extra-large video screens plus direct aisle access for every passenger.
Fiji Airways' A350 business class is a solid upgrade to the angled beds and 2-2-2 layout of its Airbus A330s (shown below).
Review: Fiji Airways Airbus A330 business class
Fiji Airways says it expects to take delivery of the two A350s in November and December.
Locking the A350 into Sydney and Los Angeles represents a change from Fiji Airways' previous 'share the love' approach, when a spokeswoman for the airline told Executive Traveller that the factory-fresh A350 jets would initially be shared around the network rather than pegged to any specific route.
In Australia, Fiji Airways currently flies to Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane and Adelaide, along with Auckland and Wellington in New Zealand.
The A350s will join Fiji Airways' fleet of six Airbus A330s and be used to expand the airline's scope rather than replace the A330s.
Fiji Airways is a partner with Qantas through its status as a Oneworld Connect member of the Oneworld airline alliance, unlocking valuable perks for eligible Qantas Frequent Flyer cardholders taking Fiji Airways flights.
Read more: New benefits for Qantas flyers as Fiji Airways joins Oneworld Connect
David Flynn is the Editor-in-Chief of Executive Traveller and a bit of a travel tragic with a weakness for good coffee, shopping and lychee martinis.
20 May 2015
Total posts 586
I'm surprised they went with the A350. I'd have thought the A330neo would've given them all the range they'd need and at a lower acquisition cost.
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
17 May 2014
Total posts 36
Just my 1c but converting from A330 to A350 is easier than converting to 7810 (and pilots can hold dual type ratings for both); they also has relationship with RR due A330 so that might also help.
Air New Zealand - Airpoints
24 Jan 2013
Total posts 30
i think that is the point these p[lanes were detined for another user but that gone sour so a deal was probably struck
24 Aug 2011
Total posts 1103
The Super Diamond seating is excellent but given they are principally a leisure airline, I'm surprised they didn't follow airlines like Air Tahiti Nui and retain side-by-side seating in a 6 abreast layout. Couples often like to travel together and that is more important to them than direct aisle access for everyone.
24 Oct 2010
Total posts 2547
No premium economy, only business and economy.
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
04 Dec 2012
Total posts 38
That was my exact thought too, that couples would much prefer the side-by-side. Maybe they're actually trying to target more business traffic codeshare? If you're going say ADL/BNE to SFO, it's a one-stop like it would be for any other carrier... Still seems a stretch though. Unless maybe they plan to start flying Perth or deeper into the US. Then I can see them going after the business traffic make more sense.
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
28 Oct 2011
Total posts 470
Emirates Airlines - Skywards
11 Mar 2015
Total posts 194
why do you think they have the middle seats for-airlines should only cater for couples???
Qantas
19 Apr 2012
Total posts 1438
Its good move for the QF Code share and those who like shorter sectors to the US. They may have taken the A359 because it was there (at a good price and good selling point). Anything else may have required a wait.
21 Apr 2017
Total posts 38
Plus operating commonality with the 330 and the fact that the 350 is fundamentally the best product on the market right now.
17 Feb 2012
Total posts 121
New Seat? They need to work on a new service level. IT IS TERRIBLE. Lovely attitude, carefree execution = unacceptable.
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
17 May 2014
Total posts 36
Rumor says the planes come from Hong Kong Airlines - given it's C33 in business which is identical to HNA Group's new A350 config (plus the same Super Diamond seat in Business) I found this rumor to be credible.
24 Oct 2010
Total posts 2547
Fiji Airways A350s are being leased from Dubai's DAE Capital, which is a supplier to HNA.
17 Nov 2016
Total posts 14
The FJ website shows FJ910 (1325) as A350 SYD/NAN from 01Jan. GDS is still showing as A330 in availability but seat map is for A350 in 1-2-1 config.
20 Jan 2017
Total posts 46
Just out of curiosity how much influence does Qantas have over FA if any when it comes to fleet selection, given it's 46% stake?
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
17 May 2014
Total posts 36
Do they even cooperate that much? I can hardly think of any examples where QF influenced FJ in any decisions these days
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
20 Aug 2014
Total posts 137
I've read elsewhere the Adelaide flights are being cut as of late July. Not sure if this is due to 737 Max unavailability, or if it is permanent.
10 Aug 2016
Total posts 4
I can confirm that in the GDS shows the last bookable flight ADL/NAN will operate 21JUL19 with no further schedule loaded for the remainder of 2019/2020 season.
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
01 Nov 2016
Total posts 129
Great option to the West Coast with new aircraft. Would think their fares would be competitive.
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
30 Aug 2016
Total posts 11
Once they have the A350 in SYD, i think they will bring the A332 that they are currently flying from Sydney to Adelaide.
28 Jan 2019
Total posts 5
Fiji Airways is still terrible airline as they would cancelled your flight at short notice with limited alternative arrangement . It happened to our family in 2015 when we booked 4 business class tickets travelling from SYD to LAX via Nadi . They only compensated a fraction of the cost of a very expensive ticket without any apology . Shame Fiji Airways & avoid this third world airline at all cost
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