If you're contemplating an island getaway – especially when it comes tor turning hard-earned frequent flyer points into a well-earned holiday – Qantas' decision to begin direct flights from Sydney to Fiji will be welcome news.
Starting 31 March 2019, Qantas' nimble Boeing 737 will dart between Sydney and Nadi - the country’s main gateway – four times per week.
QF101 will depart Sydney at 10.30am every Tuesday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday to reach Nadi at 4.30pm.
The QF102 return leg will be wheels-up from Nadi at 5.35pm the same day for an 8pm touchdown at Sydney.
"Fiji continues to be an incredibly popular holiday destination for Australian families, couples and adventure and luxury travellers, with a number of new luxury properties having opened up on the islands in recent years," observes Qantas International CEO Alison Webster.
Qantas will continue to codeshare on Fiji Airways flight to Nadi, and with Fiji Airways now a member of the Oneworld Connect scheme there are added benefits for Qantas passengers.
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.
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
09 Nov 2018
Total posts 103
Great to see Qantas expanding. With Fiji joining Bali, QF now recognising that not all their customers want to fly on JQ for their holiday!
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
04 Nov 2017
Total posts 348
In Bali's case, it's a matter of how many "cashed up" people are willing to cough up the $$ for the J-class recliners, or pay a bit more for the "all inclusive" and/or costlier Flexi Y fares. Sydney and Melbourne has a large "cashed up" Bali market.
Fiji on the other hand, always thought that destination was a bit more higher yielding than Bali, not as high as Honolulu, but a bit more "up market".
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
16 Jan 2018
Total posts 128
Agreed! Even though points on JQ were never as high to redeem as QF, it annoyed me that JQ still charged the $ value for the bundle inclusions on redemptions. Made QF mich more appealing in the end.
24 Apr 2015
Total posts 128
Fiji Airways wide bodies up to 14 times a week & 737 max's at other times is my preferred option.
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
23 Feb 2017
Total posts 13
24 Aug 2011
Total posts 1207
Flight times are very similar to VA so it will all come down to price. Product is very similar with both using 737s typically equipped with IFE (some QF only) or BYOD/iPad (some QF and all VA). I assume only VA will offer WiFi as QF's Skymuster product fitted to the 737s does not operate away from continental AU.
01 Jun 2017
Total posts 8
Qantas is code share with Fiji airways on this route they have 3 flights on some days but 2 on most days on A330 737-800 737 Max
24 Apr 2015
Total posts 128
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
20 Aug 2014
Total posts 168
Just got an email from Qantas advertising Fiji Specials starting from $319 one way. Fiji Airways has fares from $259 on the same dates, and that's on their, arguably more comfortable A330. Hard to know why you'd choose Qantas at those prices.
Virgin Australia - Velocity Rewards
03 Jun 2014
Total posts 19
I just looked at dates for when i go to Fiji in October QF is $400 each way more expensive in J than VA. I booked via BNE outbound and MEL inbound to use it for a status run and still worked out been over $700 cheaper on VA. Glad to see though Fiji is getting increased frequency and competition.
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
14 Sep 2012
Total posts 382
As QF takes these 737 to more short haul international (Bali, Fiji) and NZ, they need to rethink the J hard product inflight. I’m not saying matching A330 with lie flat but jee wiz revamp the seat, give it a new life, certainly when you look at J fares flying on 737.
15 Feb 2018
Total posts 43
Great news, although the higher price than ?Virgin is a worry. Does anyone know why Virgin are able to offer the service to Fiji cheaper?
16 Nov 2011
Total posts 580
Virgin use NZ based crew so might be cheaper.
24 Apr 2015
Total posts 128
24 Apr 2015
Total posts 128
guess this will lead to more lower fares & frequent flyer seats on all 4 carriers SYD/NAN now.
23 Mar 2018
Total posts 21
There is almost zero sense in "turning those hard earned points" into holidays as usually the taxes and dodgy surcharges outweigh any value for those said points. Shame really.
24 Apr 2015
Total posts 128
John Wayne it depends ........ last time I looked to fly SYD/LAX or SYD/SFO direct on Fiji Airways required roughly the same number of points as to do same routes on Qantas nonstop, BUT, taxes & charges on Fiji Airways were about $200 for an adult vs about $500 on Qantas because of fule surcharges. The other benefit of flying Fiji Airways is you can stopover in Fiji for up to 72 hours & aviod paying the very expensive Fiji Departure tax of around $130, more than double Australian departure tax called something else now.
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