Qantas to begin Sydney-Fiji flights

Qantas to begin Sydney-Fiji flights

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by David Flynn | January 21, 2019

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

qantas Fiji

David Flynn

David Flynn

david@ausbt.com.au / @djsflynn

David Flynn is the editor of Australian Business Traveller and a bit of a travel tragic with a weakness for good coffee, shopping and lychee martinis.
 

17 comments


  • L Mck

    Lmc

    21 Jan, 2019 11:30 am

    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!
    Member who gave thanks

    Tonym

  • Dan

    DanV

    21 Jan, 2019 01:05 pm

    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".

    No member give thanks

  • Aleks Popovic

    SYDINI

    22 Jan, 2019 01:39 am

    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.
    No member give thanks

  • flyOFTEN

    flyOFTEN

    23 Jan, 2019 02:28 pm

    Fiji Airways wide bodies up to 14 times a week & 737 max's at other times is my preferred option.
    No member give thanks

  • Qf41

    Qf41

    21 Jan, 2019 11:36 am

    Great news!

    Kinda looks like the Fijian flag on the 737! FANTAS?
    No member give thanks

  • reeves35

    reeves35

    21 Jan, 2019 01:29 pm

    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.

    No member give thanks

  • josh559

    josh559

    21 Jan, 2019 02:01 pm

    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
    Member who gave thanks

    stoffel

  • flyOFTEN

    flyOFTEN

    23 Jan, 2019 02:24 pm

    would much rather fly a Fiji Airways A330 than Qantas 738. Fiji air has a bidding system for upgrades to business class as well, from any paid fare.

    Just looked at December & FIji Airways has a 6.15am A330, 5 days a week & 737 max other 2 days, arriving Nadi 12.15pm local time, so whole day is not lost.
    No member give thanks

  • Dale

    hakkinen5

    21 Jan, 2019 03:56 pm

    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.
    No member give thanks

  • tris fisher

    fish1983

    21 Jan, 2019 04:24 pm

    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.
    No member give thanks

  • Adam T

    AT

    21 Jan, 2019 05:57 pm

    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.
    Member who gave thanks

    PDC311

  • David Henshall

    Red Cee

    21 Jan, 2019 10:36 pm

    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?
    No member give thanks

  • AJW

    AJW

    23 Jan, 2019 04:04 pm

    Virgin use NZ based crew so might be cheaper.

    But willing to bet the prices will vary widely with both carriers as time goes on.
    No member give thanks

  • flyOFTEN

    flyOFTEN

    23 Jan, 2019 04:53 pm

    with Fiji Airways(FJ) being dominant carrier on SYD/NAN/SYD think their fares will be more varied.

    FJ want to keep the pm A330 relaively free for long haul passengers to eg. USA, which is probably why they now have a 6.15am A330 in peak season. That aircraft sits at SYD overnight, meaning you could have a full day in Fiji & get that A330 at 1900, which arrives SYD at 2140.


    No member give thanks

  • flyOFTEN

    flyOFTEN

    23 Jan, 2019 02:26 pm

    guess this will lead to more lower fares & frequent flyer seats on all 4 carriers SYD/NAN now.
    No member give thanks

  • wayne anstey

    john wayne

    23 Jan, 2019 03:33 pm

    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.
    No member give thanks

  • flyOFTEN

    flyOFTEN

    23 Jan, 2019 03:57 pm

    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.
    No member give thanks

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25 Jun, 2019 12:15 pm

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