Cheap Business or Premium Economy?

For some time, many of our savvy members have been aware of the excellent value on offer when flying Fiji Air Business Class to the USA. While it does require a stopover or transit in both directions, often you can enjoy the trip in Business Class comfort at excep-tional pricing. When faced with the choice between booking such a trip with Fiji Air, or booking Qantas non stop premium economy, one of our members wonders where the best value lies?

Looking at travel to Los Angeles for business in Feb 2015. I was about to book QF in Y+ on a sale fare for around $3650, when I thought I’d check Fiji Air options in Business, which ends up being $3843. 3 hour connection in Nadi both outbound and return.

QF has the advantage of being direct, with First Class lounge access and on the A380. I would be registering for a points upgrade. Fiji Air has the advantage of being in Business and not much else. (20 more Status Credits). Last time I flew Fiji was Business in an old 744, and I’m not sure if the hard product on this route justifies the extra time, or what the lounge options are like in Los Angeles?

While the Fiji Air product is not quite the same as Qantas, it is not a bad proposition when you have a close look compared to the Qantas Premium Economy product. Meals etc may not be equiva-lent to other full service airlines, and certainly the wines on offer are often at the cheaper end of the scale. Probably the biggest difference is the seat, and its ability to offer the chance of some sleep.

FJ new white leather seat on A330 is actually quite fabulous. If you have flown SQ on their regional A330 metal, this is exactly the same thing. I have found it a very comfortable seat to sleep on even if it’s angled.

Another difference is the time you spend in the air on each flight. With Fiji three or so hours away from Australia, that flight to Nadi does reduce the time spent on the longer leg to the states. If your one who is not keen on long flights, a stopover in Nadi to recharge the batteries could also be just what the doctor ordered.

Our members also pointed out some neat tricks to extracting even more value out of flying Fiji Air. Thanks to differences in fares when booking using different country sites for the same airline, fur-ther savings can be made.

it should work out cheaper (as pointed out above) to break down the booking even further and take advantage of the Fiji Dollar.

Three tickets generally yields the lowest price:

Sydney-Nadi, Nadi-Los Angeles Return & Nadi- Sydney

Can be a couple hundred dollars cheaper that way – I was getting fares for $3700 with that combo.

Travelled to the US using either option, what have you found to be the best value, why not share your experience HERE.

Staff Writers