Fiji Airways. The name alone conjures up images of palm trees, azure waters, and maybe a ukulele or two. But after enduring eight flights with them in just two weeks, I can confidently say that Fiji Airways is less “pride of the Pacific” and more “shrug of the Pacific.” Sure, there are worse airlines out there (hello, Air Koryo), but that’s not exactly a glowing endorsement.

Why the torture, you ask? It was all part of my Pacific-busting Least Visited Countries Tour. And let me tell you, Fiji Airways was an experience—just not the kind they advertise in glossy brochures.

What the Fiji Airways?

Founded in 1951 with a single seaplane, Fiji Airways has grown into the dominant carrier for much of the Pacific. They connect Fiji to places like Los Angeles, Tokyo, Sydney, and even Tuvalu, where they have an outright monopoly. That “thank you for choosing Fiji Airways” line hits differently when you realize you had no choice.

The planes are decent, the staff well-dressed, and the vibe is all about tropical grandeur. But scratch beneath the surface, and the cracks begin to show.

The Food: A Culinary Crime Scene

Let’s not mince words: the food on Fiji Airways is bad. And I mean really bad. On my first flight, I was served a cold pasta salad with chicken that may have seen better days back in 1997. It was edible, barely. By the second flight, it was déjà vu. By the eighth, I couldn’t look at another cold pasta salad without feeling personally attacked.

Domestic flights were even worse: a single sad slice of cake masquerading as a meal. By the time I flew to Port Vila, I was one bite away from declaring a hunger strike.

Fiji Airways, here’s some free advice: lift your game. You’re not overdelivering; you’re force-feeding mediocrity to a captive audience. And that is the point here, it really is a captive audience as you quite literally have to take the airline to see these countries.

The Lounge: A Silver Lining?

The Fiji Airways lounge in Nadi is, surprisingly, not terrible. It’s spacious, serves alcohol, and even has a smoking area—a rarity in today’s sterile airport world. The food, however, is hit or miss. Breakfast is fine, but the lunch and dinner offerings are uninspired at best. Mongolian beef? Sure. Rice with something unidentifiable? Less sure.

It’s a step up from Brunei’s airport, but that’s a low bar to clear.

Fiji Airways: A Facade of Grandeur

Fiji Airways wants you to believe it’s the top banana of the Pacific, but in reality, it’s more like the bruised banana you find at the bottom of the fruit bowl. They dominate the region, flying to Samoa, Tonga, and beyond, but that monopoly seems to have bred complacency.

Flying with them isn’t a disaster, but it’s far from the dream they sell. Whether it’s the repetitive meals, the “meh” service, or the disconnect between their branding and reality, Fiji Airways feels like a missed opportunity.

Final Thoughts

Fiji Airways is a necessary evil if you’re exploring the Pacific, especially on our Least Visited Countries Tour. They’ll get you where you need to go, but don’t expect five-star treatment—or even three-star meals. If you’re lucky, you’ll get a sunset view from 30,000 feet. And if you’re really lucky, you’ll forget to eat.