fiji airways airline fiji

Why choose Fiji Airways? – Fiji National Carrier Fiji Airways has a proud and rich tradition of creating unforgettable memories for its customers, providing world-renowned Fijian hospitality the moment you step onboard our fleet. With a proud past and a bright future, Fiji Airways is the symbol of the whole nation and is passionate to be the best.  For an airline that was started by an acclaimed air navigator, inventor, airline manager, plantation baron, and legislator, Fiji Airways has grown into Fiji’s proud flag carrier. From flying De Havilland Dragon Rapides in those days to the new Airbus 330-200 jets of today, the airline has truly come of age.’ (Fiji Airways, 2011). Start your Fijian holiday before you arrive in Fiji and travel with our beautiful and dedicated team of ambassadors of the air.

Fiji Airways Past and Present Fleet of Aircraft

Fiji Airways flights are available on a modern fleet of Boeing and Airbus aircraft | Image: Supplied
AircraftTotalIntroduced – Retired
Airbus A330-20022018 – 2021
ATR 42-50022006 – 2007
Boeing 747-40022003 – 2013
Boeing 737-70011998 – 2020
Boeing 747-200B41996 – 2003
Boeing 747-200B11996 – 1996
Boeing 737-30011995 – 1999
Boeing 767-300ER11994 – 2012
Boeing 737-50011992 – 1999
Boeing 767-20011990 – 1994
Boeing 747-10011988 – 1989
ATR 42-30041988 – 1994
Boeing 747-200B31985 – 1994
Fokker F-2711984 – 1984
de Havilland Canada DHC-6 Twin Otter11984 – 1988
McDonnell Douglas DC-10-3011983 – 1985
Boeing 737-20011981 – 1990
Embraer EMB-110 Bandeirante41979 – 1987
Britten-Norman Trislander41974 – 1983
BAC One-Eleven31972 – 1984
Grumman G-73 Mallard11969 – 1971
Hawker Siddeley HS 74841967 – 1986
Beechcraft Travel Air31967 – 1972
Douglas C-47 Skytrain61963 – 1972
de Havilland Heron71959 – 1975
de Havilland Canada DHC-2 Beaver21954 – 1963
de Havilland Australia DHA-3 Drover71954 – 1968
de Havilland Dragon Rapide41951 – 1962

Fiji Airways flights are available on a modern fleet of Boeing and Airbus aircraft, including the brand new 334-seat Airbus A350-900 to the streamlined Boeing 737-800. Economy Class is headlined by the hospitality of a world-renowned warm friendly cabin crew in an elegant and relaxed cabin so you’ll feel right at home, with Business Class offering the discerning traveler a unique and exclusive class of travel.

Fiji Airways has been the most connected airline in the region throughout its history, linking to more Pacific Island countries than any other carrier. It flies directly to Sydney, Brisbane, Melbourne, Auckland, Christchurch, Wellington, Los Angeles, San Francisco, Honolulu, Hong Kong, Tokyo, Singapore, and regionally to Tonga, Samoa, Vanuatu, Solomon Islands, Kiribati, and Tuvalu. Its wider network through its Oneworld and bilateral partner airlines increases the airline’s reach to 108 destinations worldwide.

Airbus A330-200

Fiji Airways took delivery of its first A330-200 in 2013 to coincide with its rebranding efforts from Air Pacific to its original name Fiji Airways strengthening the national airlines position as the flag carrier of the Fiji Islands. The aircraft was a landmark acquisition for the airline being the first ever owned wide-body airplanes.  

  • Range: 13,450km (8,357 miles)
  • Passenger capacity: 273 (2 class)
  • Length: 58.82 m (192 feet 9 inch)
  • Wingspan: 60.30m (212 feet 5 inches)
  • Height: 17.39 m (63 feet 6 inches)
  • Engines: 2 x Rolls Royce Trent 700
  • Maximum speed: 1098.97 kmh (682.86 mph, Mach 0.89)
Fiji Airways Airbus A330-300

The Airbus A330-300 started service in Fiji in January 2016. It brings a greater uplift capacity, a better operational range and has more passenger and cargo capacity. The aircraft carriers up to 313 passengers between 2 classes with 24-business class seats and 289 economy class seats.  Equipped with new features to make our passenger experience more comfortable. The A330-300 interior contours are gentler and more rounded, soft LED lighting throughout the cabin with even quitter cabins. The aircraft is powered by the Rolls Royce Trent 700 engines are very environmentally friendly. The significantly improved aircraft aerodynamics brings increased fuel efficiency. The takeoff weight has a significant increase to 242 tonnes and cargo capacity is 45.9 tonnes. 

  • Range: 11,750km (7,301 miles)
  • Passenger capacity: 313(2 Class)
  • Length: 63.66 m (208 feet 8 inch)
  • Wingspan: 60.30m (197 feet 8 inches)
  • Height: 16.79 m (55 feet 0 inches)
  • Engines: 2 x Rolls Royce Trent 700
  • Maximum speed: 1098.97 kmh (682.83 mph, Mach 0.83)
Airbus-A350-900

The A350 XWB’s Airspace by Airbus cabin is the quietest of any twin-aisle aircraft and offers passengers and crews the most modern in-flight products for the most comfortable flying experience. Not only does the aircraft provide the ultimate in luxury air travel to Fiji, it’s also perfect for passengers taking long-haul connecting flights to other destinations.  Boasting the latest generation AVANT inflight entertainment system from THALES and Wi-Fi connectivity, guests will be able to enjoy movies, tv and music on-demand, all whilst remaining connected in the air. Our newest aircraft arrived in December 2019 and features a two-class configuration with 33 of the Collins Aerospace Super Diamond, fully lie-flat Business Class beds, 301 the best long haul Recaro Economy Class seats of which 39 are BULA SPACE seats, designed with extra legroom. All seats offer Thales high-definition inflight entertainment systems  

  • Range: 16,100km (8,700 miles)
  • Passenger capacity: 334 (2 class)
  • Length: 66.89 m (219 feet 5 inches)
  • Wingspan: 64.75m (212 feet 5 inches)
  • Height: 17.08 m (56 feet 0 inches)
  • Engines: 2 x Rolls Royce Trent XWB 84
  • Maximum speed: 1098.97 kmh (682.86 mph, Mach 0.89)
Fiji Link ATR 72 - 600

Fiji Link is a subsidiary of Fiji Airways servicing both domestic and regional flights across the Pacific. The ATR 72 took delivery as part of the overall Fiji Airways group rebrand, which included the rebrand from Pacific Sun to Fiji Link.  Fiji Link as part of the Fiji Airways family retains prominent brand elements in its livery and design, which includes the name “FIJI” featuring prominently on the aircraft belly. 

  • Range: 1648.28 km (1024.19 miles)
  • Passenger capacity: 68 (2 class)
  • Length: 27.16 m (89 feet 1 inch)
  • Wingspan: 27.05 m (88 feet 9 inches)
  • Height: 7.72 m (25 feet 4 inches)
  • Engines: 2x Pratt & Whitney PW127M
  • Maximum speed: 463 km/h (287.695 mph, Mach 0.55)
Fiji Link ATR 42-600

Fiji Link, the domestic and regional subsidiary of Fiji Airways received its first brand new ATR 42 – 600 in late August 2014 adding to the newly rebranded carrier and replacing the current fleet of ATR 42-500. The ATR 42-600 have considerably more enhanced cockpit, including higher efficiency and a lower fuel burn compared to the ATR 42-500s and significantly increasing overall capacity.  

  • Range: 1483.45 km (921.773 miles)
  • Passenger capacity: 46 (1 class)
  • Length: 22.67 m (74 feet 4.52 inch)
  • Wingspan: 24.572 m (80 feet 7.42 inches)
  • Height: 7.75 m (25 feet x 5.11 inches)
  • Engines: 2x Pratt & Whitney PW127M
  • Maximum speed: 463 km/h (287.695 mph, Mach 0.55)
Fiji Airways MAX8

Offering an extremely advanced and efficient short and medium haul service, our newest addition to the fleet will feature 170 seats with guest comfort at the core of its design. Our new Boeing 737 Max 8 combines less fuel, less noise and a revolutionary redesign.  It’s bigger better engines and incredible new winglets are both fuel efficient and quieter, reducing fuel burn by as much as 14%. An innovate Boeing Sky interior of modern sculpted sidewalls and window reveal with LED lighting and more overhead cabin space that attracts a sense of spaciousness. With an unmatched reliability and the greatest range capability means more direct routes to your favorite destinations.  

  • Range: 3515 nmi
  • Passenger capacity: 170 (2 class)
  • Length: 39.50 m (129 feet 8 inches)
  • Wingspan: 35.90 m (117 feet 10 inches)
  • Height: 12.30 m (40 feet 4 inches)
  • Engines: CFM International LEAP-1B
  • Maximum speed: 839 kmh (521.33mph)
Fiji Airways Boeing-737-800

The Boeing 737-800 narrow-body aircraft is the backbone of the regional route network between Fiji, the South Pacific, and New Zealand. 

  • Economy Class seating: 32″ pitch, 6″ recline. Drop down screens every 3 rows, with main screen video and 10 audio channels.
  • Total capacity: 170
  • Saleable configuration: 8 Business Class | 162 Economy Class
  • Business Class seating: 48″ pitch, 18″ recline, in-seat video with 6 video channels and 10 audio channels
Twin Otter Arriving at Nadi International Airport Fiji.

The brand new Vikings DHC-6 Series 400 Twin Otter aircraft offer air conditioned cabins and leather seats that are more comfortable for guests and an upgraded cockpit for pilots which includes a state of the art digital avionics systems and operating features to enhance operational reliability and an easier transition for Fiji Link pilots onto the ATR fleet.

With versatility to land on various terrain, it is the aircraft of choice for Fiji Link’s domestic operations, proving well-suited to Fiji’s domestic operating environment made up of smaller airports and short airstrips. Fiji Links operates Twin Otter aircraft domestic in Fiji from Nadi and Suva to Rotuma, Lakeba, Kadavu, Cicia, Vanuabalavu, Taveuni, Koro and Savusavu.

  • Passenger capacity: 19 (1 class)
  • Length: 15.8 m (51 feet, 9 inches)
  • Maximum speed: 314.84 km/h (195.63 mph Mach 0.25)
  • Range: 1111 km (690.34 miles)

decade 2020 – Significant Milestones

Captain Seini Cornish with Fiji Airways MDCEO Andre Viljoen
  • November 2021 | Fiji Airways has announced the promotion of its first-ever female to command a widebody aircraft. Captain Seini Koroitamana Cornish has progressed as a Fiji Airways A330 aircraft Captain, becoming the first female in the National Airline’s 70-year history to do so.
  • October 2021 | Fiji Airways Aviation Academy facility opened after the initial groundbreaking in late 2017, the facility houses the internationally recognized A330 simulator, helping train pilots within Fiji.

decade 2010 – Rebranding to its former name Fiji Airways

cabin crew uniforms, here with Phillippa Steele and designer Alexandra Poenaru-Philp | Image: Supplied
  • 2018 | Fiji Link received its fourth brand new Viking DHC-6 Series 400 Twin Otter aircraft at the end of the year Fiji Airways received its first two Boeing B737 MAX 8 aircraft.2019, as part of the airline’s widebody expansion plans, Fiji Airways received two Airbus A350 900
  • 2017 | In October, Fiji Airways started offering the Resort Check-In service at the Sofitel Fiji Resort and Spa on Denarau Island.
  • 2015 | In May, Fiji Airways took delivery of a fifth Boeing 737-800.
  • 2014 | In March, Fiji Airways received its first Airbus A330 ‘The Island of Taveuni’Pacific Sun was rebranded to Fiji Link in June 2014.  In June and November, Fiji Airways received ATR 72-600 and ATR 42-600. The ATR fleet is used on larger domestic routes and some international routes to neighboring island groups while the Twin Otter fleet is used in smaller domestic markets.
  • 2012 | The complete rebranding process of the Fijian National Airline was a multiple-year process, commencing in 2012 with the announcement from the CEO David Pfieger in May of that year that the airline would be returning to its former name Fiji Airways, and officially relaunching itself worldwide in the year 2013-14, simultaneously retiring its Air’Pacific Brand. With the new fleet of aircraft on order, Fiji Airways pooled local and international specialists in a variety of unique fields, to design airplane liveries, uniforms, and insignia that would remain true to the airline’s brandmark and cultural identity.  The following video details the process taken by Makereta Matemosi’s, a local artist who has specialized in the art of Masi artwork, she carefully designed individual pieces of masi, each depicting the qualities and pride all the Fijians have in our national airline and how it symbolizes Fiji as a whole. The uniforms prominently feature these masi motifs, the Qalitoka symbolises the unity of people to complete a task, the Tama symbolising friendly service, and Droe, which means clear blue skies and cool breeze on beaches. The striking new uniforms stylized to the Fijian attire of Sulu Jaba and Bula wear, reflect vibrant aqua colours, to present a balance with the new Fiji Airways’ cabin interiors featuring sophisticated, earthy tones of Fiji. The aqua contrasts with the colour brown which now forms a key part of the airline’s brandmark and identity. 
  • 2012 | Rebranding Announcement – In May 2012, MD/CEO David Pflieger announced that the airline would be returning to its former name Fiji Airways to reinforce its role as the national airline of Fiji.

decade 2010

Pacific Sun Airplane
  • 2009 | The commencement of a twice-weekly service to Hong Kong.
  • 2007 | In January, Air Pacific acquired Sun Air and established its regional subsidiary airline trading as Pacific Sun. Operations began with eight aircraft, two ATR 42-500 aircraft, three BN2 Islanders, and three DHC-6 Twin Otters.

decade 1980’s & 1990’s

Air Pacifics first Boing 737 stop over Port Villa on route to Nadi early 1980s
  • 1998 | Qantas raised its equity to 46 percent, with the Fijian government owning 52% of the airline, and the governments of several Pacific island nations the remainder.
  • 1983 | The airline started flights to the US with a route to Honolulu.
  • 1980s | Air Pacific pioneered the concept of codeshare agreements in conjunction with Qantas. is a business arrangement, common in the aviation industry, in which two or more airlines publish and market the same flight under their own airline designator and flight number as part of their published timetable or schedule.

decade 1960’s & 1970’s

Air Pacific BAC1-11 resting in the hanger after completing its delivery flight. (Photo - National Archives of Fiji)
Air Pacific BAC1-11 resting in the hanger after completing its delivery flight. (Photo – National Archives of Fiji)
  • 1974 | As tourism became the nation’s leading industry making the airline even more critical to the Fijian economy, the government of Fiji acquired a controlling interest in Air Pacific.
  • 1973 | Air Pacific made its first international flight to Brisbane, Australia.
  • 1972 | The Fleet changed to Aerospace BAC1-11s and HS748.
  • 1971 | The name changed to “Air Pacific.”
  • 1970 | After Fiji gained independence from Great Britain in 1970, the new national government began buying shares, and the airline was renamed Air Pacific to reflect its regional presence. The government of Fiji acquired a controlling interest in Air Pacific.
  • 1960s | During the 1960s, the shareholders in Fiji Airways diversified with the majority being owned by TEAL (now operating as Air New Zealand), British Overseas Airways Corporation (now operating as British Airways), and governments of smaller South Pacific nations Tonga, Western Samoa, Nauru, Kiribati, and the Solomon Islands each securing an interest.

decade 1950’s

Fiji Airways first aircraft a Dragon Rapide. Photo from Fiji Airways 1
  • 1958 | Harold George Gatty passed away on the 30th of August 1957, in the same year Qantas acquired Fiji Airways.
  • 1951 | First Commercial Flight – On 1st September 1951, a 7-seater De Havilland Dragon Rapide (a short-haul biplane airliner developed and produced by the British aircraft company of the same name ‘de Havilland’ in the year 1930, although constructed out of only plywood, the aircraft proved to be an economical and durable craft, procuring many foreign sales), took off from Fiji’s Nausori Airport to Drasa Airport near Lautoka, on the west coast of the main island, This first commercial flight saw the birth of what today is a truly international, Fijian airline.

decade 1940’s

(Photo: National Air and Space Museum, Smithsonian Institution)

1947 | Harold George Gatty (Founder) formed Katafaga Estates.

Harold George Gatty was born to British parents in Campelltown in Tasmania on 5 January 1903 and came to settle in Fiji, soon after the conclusion of World War II, Gatty with his Dutch-born wife returned to the south Pacific region, where he was reinstated as the Pan-American Airways Regional Manager, based in Auckland. He had held this position prior to the war and subsequently managed for several years, before deciding Fiji was his true home. Upon his return, he bought the beautiful Fiji island of Katafanga (pronounced cat’-a-fun-ga), located in Fiji’s remote Northern Lau Group where he turned it into a coconut estate.

Before his Pan-American job, Gatty had made his name in the technical field of air navigation in the United States by designing his revolutionary ground speed and drift indicator in the year 1930.

Shortly afterward, he was presented with the opportunity to test his invention when Gatty was invited by Canadian pilot Lieutenant Harold Bromley to be his navigator as he attempts to fly across the Pacific, from Honshu, Japan to Tacoma in Washington State, USA in September of the same year.

The black and white picture below captures Harold Gatty and Harold Bromley literally building a take-off runway on a Japanese beach, in preparation for this amazing navigational feat.

Due to fuel tank and technical issues, the duo had to return to Honshu after only reaching 1900 km into the attempt, Gatty through bad weather and thick fog successfully navigated the plane back to the runway in Japan; empowering him with the knowledge and experience for his ensuing 1931 around-the-world flight with Wiley Post.

Wiley Post, a Native American Oil rigger and all-round stuntman piloted the ‘Lockheed Vega’ named the Winnie Mae, with Gatty navigating in the rear(image above), together they successfully set the record for aerial circumnavigation around the world, flying a distance of 15,747 miles (24,903 km) in 8 days, 15 hours, and 51 minutes. the drift indicator designed by Gatty was more accurate and easier to use than earlier drift sights mounted on the outside of the aircraft, becoming the standard design used for civil and military air navigation.

The Duo received an open-top car ticker-tape welcome parade down the main esplanade in New York City, to celebrate their accomplishment, in the video archives below, they have captured the warm welcome and large amounts of shredded paper thrown onto the route from the surrounding buildings, creating a flurry of celebratory paper, followed by a brief interview with the local news network.

Video:  Gatty Parade

Upon returning to Fiji, Gatty submitted a proposal to Fiji’s then Colonial Government to operate the country’s domestic airline and registered it as Katafaga Estates. The first commercial flight was on September 1st, 1951.

Long-serving former chairman of the airline, retired business executive Gerald Barrack paid tribute to Gatty’s vision and the pioneering spirit of men and women like him

“from the days when pilots flew Dragon Rapides and Drovers by the seat of their pants.” Days like the one where passengers boarded the Rapides plane and realized that there was no pilot, so a man wearing a bright bula (floral) shirt volunteered to fly the machine. Little did they realize that the man with the bright shirt was actually Fred Ladd, Gatty’s first Chief Pilot, playing his usual practical jokes!

  • wiley post harold gatty east boston 1931 winnie mae diagram
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  • gatty drift meter ground speed indicator 1931 1932
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