Airline review: Fiji Airways business class

Business class, seat A1

DURATION

Five hours and 15 minutes

FREQUENCY

Fiji Airways flies daily from Nadi to Melbourne

THE SEAT

Pitch is 48 inches (122cm) with a 2-2 configuration for eight business-class seats, which recline 18 inches (46cm)

BAGGAGE

Checked baggage allowance is 30 kilograms plus two carry-on bags up to seven kilograms each (plus one laptop case or purse)

COMFORT

Lovely big blankets and the most pleasant voiceover I've heard, but seats don't recline anywhere near as much as we've come to expect in business class. It's not uncomfortable, but it isn't cushy.

ENTERTAINMENT

Online, the airline claims there are six video channels and 10 audio channels in business class. In reality "we have to get the lady to go to the back and put the tapes in", I'm told when I think my video system isn't working after take-off. It's truly old school: once The Penguins of Madagascar gets rolling, there's no personal pausing for a toilet break.

SERVICE

Even though the business class attendant is friendly and helpful, once we eventually get talking there's very little initial attention paid to business-class passengers, even when I'm obviously struggling for a few minutes to extricate my screen from under the armrest. Service is fine but is not a reflection of the naturally abundant Fijian hospitality I know and love.

FOOD

Fiji Airways now has a culinary ambassador, Australian chef Lance Seeto, who wants passengers to taste things they haven't tasted before with "elements of Fiji culture on the plate". Seeto has spent the last few years living in Fiji exploring grassroots food preparation and cooking. Coconut features. I begin with the signature cocktail: Fiji Rum (coffee and spice) poured over maraschino cherries and orange slices. Canapes are tandoori chicken topped with lime and mango yoghurt on mini crostini and zucchini-wrapped smoked wahoo with wasabi citrus cream cheese. For main I choose the seared peppered tuna loin with dill potatoes and farmed vegetables, which is delicious. Wines on offer are Tempus Two (Hunter Valley) and Shaw & Smith (Adelaide Hills). Dessert is berry mousse cake.

ONE MORE THING

Business-class passengers have access to the Tabua Lounge at Nadi International Airport, which is a quiet and relaxing space with complimentary Wi-Fi, snacks, drinks and a shower.

VERDICT

There are only two people in business class on my flight and I can see why: it just isn't worth the extra cost on these older aircraft. However, it's a totally different story between Sydney and Nadi on one of the fleet's fabulous A330-200s, so I'm completely prepared to be patient with this gradually flourishing boutique national airline.

Elspeth Callender flew courtesy of Fiji Airways.