"best" carrier between SYD and LAX - Premium Economy

[rambausek]

Hi,
looking for best carrier between SYD and LAX, Premium Economy. Any experiences? First choice at the moment is AIR NZ (skybed).
Has anyone taken Fiji Air, Economy?

Cheers

 

[markis10]

Re: Syd - lax

Hi,
looking for best carrier between SYD and LAX, Premium Economy. Any experiences? First choice at the moment is AIR NZ (skybed).
Has anyone taken Fiji Air, Economy?

Cheers

Have you looked at Fiji Air ex NAN in J, its around $2000 return!

 

[rambausek]

Re: Syd - lax

Thanks markis10, have you actually used them? Are they ok in J?

 

[markis10]

Re: Syd - lax

Thanks markis10, have you actually used them? Are they ok in J?

I would not expect fine wine and dining, but the new A330s have a decent J product!

Fiji Airways' New Airbus A330 - Cabin View - Photos || Jaunted

 

[MEL_Traveller]

Re: Syd - lax

Thanks markis10, have you actually used them? Are they ok in J?

my friend flew air pacific last year syd-nan-lax-nan-syd. purchased as three separate tickets... SYD-NAN (paid in Aussie dollars) then NAN-LAX-NAN as a round trip (Fiji dollars) then NAN-SYD (Fiji dollars). all up ticket cost (and can be booked on line via air pacific's Aussie website) was $3000. he's an infrequent flyer but had no trouble booking everything.

the flights then were on 747s.. generous recline and lots of leg room (sort of like old first class seats from the 90s). and he got full business class status credits and miles on Qfff.

it was fine for what it was. food nothing special, nor was the alcohol. the stop in nadi was about 3 hours each way, but for so e reason you have to collect your luggage and re-check. but as business class this wasnt too much trouble. he said he'd do it again for that price, especially as at the time QFi was still charging a lot for premium economy and the $3000 fare was a bit of a bargain.

it's not for everyone, but if you don't mind the few hours in Fiji (can even do a stopover) then it might be a good option.

 

[rambausek]

Re: Syd - lax

Thanks, MEL_Traveller

 

[Timtammi]

Re: Syd - lax

I just did the SYD-NAN-LAX return trip in J on FJ. We booked as 2 separate tix - ie SYD-NAN return paid for in AUD and then NAN-LAX return paid for in FJD. I cant remember exactly how much it ended up costing but was definitely under $3000 ea. We were able to check our bags all the way through by telling the check-in staff that we had another onward flight booked with them on a separate ticket. There was also a transfer desk at NAN airside where they had us on a list by the time we got there and I think they could even have retagged our bags behind the scenes if we had needed to so we did not have to go through immi and collect. All but one of the sectors was on their old 747's. These are as described above, HUGE amount of space between seats and old recliners. While I had flown them before I wasnt sure how comfortable they would be for sleeping but I found them surprisingly good, especially now that they give you a nice new doona and pillow, I was able to snag an extra doona and use that as a mattress and it was REALLY comfy and I got a good sleep. Their new A332 is a nice fitout in J, but even thought it reclined into also flat at an angle I found myself missing all of that huge amount of space they had in the 747. Food is plentiful and pleasant but not fine dining. Amenity kit is more than adequate. IFE is a bit limited, bring your IPAD if you can. Lounge in NAN is basic but adequate and does have a shower which was much needed. They use one of those multi-airline lounges at TBIT, its near the QF lounge. It was ok but does NOT have showers which is a bit of a drawback with a late night departure as I really like to have a shower after a fully day of activities before getting on the plane.

Cheers

Timmi

 

[markis10]

Re: Syd - lax

The 747s should be gone by Nov while the A330s are already on the route, I would make sure I get one!

Nadi – Los Angeles eff 01JUL13 First A330-200 service for LAX from this date
FJ810 NAN2200 – 1320LAX 744 247
FJ810 NAN2200 – 1325LAX 332 136
FJ811 LAX2330 – 0510+2NAN 744 247
FJ811 LAX2330 – 0530+2NAN 332 136
744 operates on Day 246 from 05SEP13 to 14NOV13, tentative scheduled last 747 flight on 14NOV13
332 operates on Day 137 from 01SEP13 to 15NOV13

 

[MEL_Traveller]

Re: Syd - lax

thanks for the report timtammi​ just on the ticketing aspect... why did you go for the two tickets instead of three?

 

[BAM1748]

Hi,
looking for best carrier between SYD and LAX, Premium Economy. Any experiences? First choice at the moment is AIR NZ (skybed).
Has anyone taken Fiji Air, Economy?

Cheers

What's your definition of 'best'. Cheapest or most luxury or most leg room. For me the 'best' is more leg room over say food quality or other service.

 

[Timtammi]

thanks for the report timtammi​ just on the ticketing aspect... why did you go for the two tickets instead of three?

Ummmm... I admit I didn't think of that! DOH. It probably would have been cheaper again. I know the NAN-LAX return was such a bargain (I think it was on sale at the time and their regular prices are good anyway) that the SYD-NAN return was almost an afterthought add-on. Actually I live in MEL but the planes that FJ fly out of MEL aren't good (737 I think?) and I was able to use my free CC flight for the dom add-on.