Seat Selection on QF-marketed, FJ-operated (Fiji Airways) flight

[dairyfloss]

G'day Folks - I've got one I've not come across before, and couldn't find much, if any info about... I've just booked return flights via the QF website to Fiji for a short break with the family - yay! For the outbound flight, there was no QF-operated service, and so I'm on an FJ operated, QF marketed flight.

Seats for the FJ operated flight cannot be selected on QF MMB (it's a Window/Aisle preference only), and on the FJ MMB page, the QF booking reference returns an error saying "The system is unable to retrieve this trip, please contact your TravelSupport Desk if further details are needed." This error may be as the flight is yet to be ticketed, I suppose?

To those in the know - will I need a unique FJ booking reference to manage this on FJ's site, or is is something only the FJ call centre is likely to be able to help with? Also, as a QF WP on FJ, should I expect any special treatment in so far as seating on the booking goes?

The QF app is already telling me to 'Relax at the International First Lounge' in Sydney before departure... so hopefully at least that part will work!

Thanks,
Matt.

 

[dairyfloss]

Lounge access for QFFs is only available on the codeshare I believe..

Seems the safe choice was made, then... though I’ve read that blended access is likely to eventuate for FJ marketed & operated, out of QF ports, as well.

Cheers,
Matt.

 

[Flying mermaid]

Seems the safe choice was made, then... though I’ve read that blended access is likely to eventuate for FJ marketed & operated, out of QF ports, as well.

Cheers,
Matt.

I can confirm lounge access is only if on the codeshare, unless you are in J, in which case you can go to the business lounge in Sydney, but not the F lounge. I have done the trip to Nadi a few times and I always get two PNRs - one of which works and one doesn’t! Once I have worked out which is the valid one, I have then been able to select seats without any issues. Fiji seems to recognise Qantas status, as far as allowing golds and above to board first. You will be able to go to the lounge in Nadi, which is heaps bigger than when I was there a few years ago. Good buffet selection as well. For selected flights (including the 9am to Sydney), j passengers get a card which enables them to order a special hot item, but it really isn’t needed.

I found the staff very pleasant and the planes good - better than the 737, which I think Qantas is flying.

 

[straitman]

I can confirm lounge access is only if on the codeshare, unless you are in J, in which case you can go to the business lounge in Sydney, but not the F lounge. I have done the trip to Nadi a few times and I always get two PNRs - one of which works and one doesn’t! Once I have worked out which is the valid one, I have then been able to select seats without any issues. Fiji seems to recognise Qantas status, as far as allowing golds and above to board first. You will be able to go to the lounge in Nadi, which is heaps bigger than when I was there a few years ago. Good buffet selection as well. For selected flights (including the 9am to Sydney), j passengers get a card which enables them to order a special hot item, but it really isn’t needed.

We fly in and out of NAN at least once a year and always use the lounge irrespective of the FJ/QF booking. It has never been an issue and even have added extras via Priority Pass on occasions.

I found the staff very pleasant and the planes good - better than the 737, which I think Qantas is flying.

Most FJ aircraft are 737s. Unfortunately the A330 (and A350s going forward) are only on limited routes and times.

 

[Flying mermaid]

We fly in and out of NAN at least once a year and always use the lounge irrespective of the FJ/QF booking. It has never been an issue and even have added extras via Priority Pass on occasions.
Most FJ aircraft are 737s. Unfortunately the A330 (and A350s going forward) are only on limited routes and times.

I was talking about the lounge in Sydney - have you been able to use the Qantas lounge on a fj flight number? I was told quite definitely by Qantas that it was for the code share only?

We have only got the A330 - perhaps more likely to get flying out of Sydney?

Edit - I checked their fleet - 4 A330 and 1 A350 not yet in service + 5 737. I will make sure I always check that I am getting the A330.