So here's the rub - my flight was booked through Chatdeal even though I bought it under the Kayak umbrella. All the return flights were theoretically through Air New Zealand, however except for the initial leg from New Zealand, they were all partnered flights. So when I arrived at the airport in New Zealand they could only issue me my ticket to Fiji. Once in Fiji I had to do some serious leg work and finagling to get my ticket to Los Angeles through Fiji Air. This included a monitored covid RAT that I wasn't aware I needed to do. So I gave the score I did because of the complexity and annoyance created in the process of getting a boarding pass for my Nadi-LA flight.
No refunds for flights that I could not take due to Covid restrictions
Cons: "Cabin was too hot once premium curtains were closed"
Pros: "The employees of Air New Zealand always make our trips excellent."
Cons: "I always have trouble hearing the announcements in the waiting areas at the airports. Why can't they (airports) fix that."
Pros: "We did not fly on this flight."
Cons: "We did not fly on this flight."
Pros: "Movies, texting other seats, requesting food and water from my screen"
Pros: "Crew were always friendly and just looks happy to do their job. Seat were comfortable enough for what I paid for"
Cons: "Breakfast"
Pros: "Crew were very helpful"
Cons: "First time travelling with the airline and wasn't aware of having to book things like food and entertainment. These things come standard with all other airlines I have flow with so was very surprised when finding out about it mid flight. Can't say I was very pleased but must say crew were very good"
Pros: "Nice, short flight. Smooth ride."
Cons: "Had a middle seat between two very large women. Couldn't be helped, was a full flight."
Pros: "Good for a sheot flight"
Pros: "Good entertainment. Flight tracker kept breaking."
Cons: "They don't come around with beverages hardly ever (twice on 13 hour flight) and they tend to skip the window seats. They tried to kick me off an overbooked flight even though I paid extra for a picked seat and booked months ago. Mediocre food. Tiny seats and I'm only 5'5". Will never fly again."
Pros: "Wellington airport is the most accessible and relaxed I’ve used, and the Air New Zealand Check-in process was the easiest I’ve used so far."
Pros: "Our stewardess was very helpful for our tight connection. She helped with instructions on finding our next gate and gave specific information on making the airport easier to maneuver."
Cons: "On time fights would have made our day better and less stressful."
Pros: "The service was fantastic"
Cons: "The plane was very cold inside they need keep the cabin warner"
Pros: "Punctual flight, great boarding and great baggage service."
Cons: "Bag drop could be improved with more personnel to help."
Pros: "On time"
Cons: "Late start of check in"
Pros: "The gate agents and the gate supervisors were rude and condescending My reservation was changed mid air and even though I made it to the gate 18 to Houston on time and boarding was still in progress I was not allowed to board. I was informed a plane was not a bus that I could hop on anytime I liked. When I protested that I had a confirmed reservation I was calmly told. “We canceled it because we didn’t expect you to make it.”"
Cons: "I missed my Thanksgiving Holiday because some powers that be decided I would not be able to make a connection So instead of waiting to we if I missed it and rebook then, like a normal airline, they preemptively cancelled and denied boarding."
Pros: "Good seat, very pleasant crew."
Cons: "No entertainment so can't score that. Basic snacks"
Pros: "I love the entertainment system. The airline attendants uniforms are very colourful."
Pros: "The airport was great! Very easy access, fast check in and security. Loved the LOTR theme. Uneventful and beautiful flight."
Cons: "Everything was great"
Pros: "Very friendly staff. Free wine and cheese or choices of cookies—extra servings too."
Cons: "Seats are just standard—headrest part doesn’t adjust"
Pros: "service, food, good pilot"
Cons: "nothing everything just perfect"
Cons: "My ticket did not say that it was a no luggage,no meal ticket & I printed off the E ticket & no where on the E ticket did it state no luggage.....I think that needs to be shown clearly when we book. I had to pay for 1 bag & it would have been $250 but ANZ did work with me &changed the ticket for $125 name-Marjorie Kalama"
Pros: "Reliable service. Flew Air NZ twice without any hiccups. Boards on time, leaves on time. Get a biscuit (cookie), drink, and sweet. Had room on both flights also. Not packed to the gills and enjoyed the aerial view of the lovely NZ countryside."
Cons: "Nothing... didn’t give 5 star due to no monitor/tv for entertainment but with such a short flight it really isn’t necessary."
Pros: "Fantastic selection of entertainment, friendly crew, and tasty food. I’ve enjoyed flying with Air New Zealand!"
Cons: "The lumbar support in the seats is quite inadequate."
Cons: "Charged us for baggage, even though the flight was international and clearly stated on their website international flights included baggage. Had to pay more than we paid for our flights just to check a bag."
Pros: "I liked that it got me from point a to point b. I had to pay extra to watch movies, no meal on an international flight (tbh I'm not sure what I ticketed and didn't tick while booking, but I mean it was nz to aus, come on)."
Cons: "Not getting my luggage across the ditch, paying for movies as an extra, no meal."
Pros: "The flight attendants were great and the flight was on time"
Cons: "The seats were uncomfortable. I had a metal piece sticking on my hip from the seat or seatbelt, not sure."
Pros: "The plane was actually comfortable! The food was complimentary and very tasty. The entertainment was endless!"
Cons: "There were a lot of empty seats...it would be nice that 4 people weren't put together all at once, but this was fixed once we took off."
Pros: "Quickest boarding ever - Have hardly seen an airline having people board through the rear entry Super fun safety video All-in-all a great experience"
Pros: "Premium Economy was worth the price! The section was not as full, and the service was wonderful."
Pros: "Very friendly and accommodating staff. Good food, comfortable seats, and excellent entertainment choices."
Pros: "The crew were always smiling and helpful. We were allocated the SkyCouch seat which was pretty nice"
Pros: "Not much to like with the cattle car ride that was an hour late."
Cons: "I was shocked at the baggage charge upon checking in and was told I just purchased a seat from Virgin Australia but no baggage transport with the flight. When kayak directed me to VA, I made the purchase and certainly did not remember being offered a chance to purchase baggage fee as other airlines offer (e.g. BA). While I understand kayak refer users to search airlines baggage fees it need to make sure that airlines offer true and baggage fees at the time of purchase so the full cost of flight is clear at purchase time."
Pros: "A little cramped on the domestic flight, but for the hour or so from Christchurch to Auckland, it was acceptable. I was impressed that ANZ did a quick meal service on this short flight. The crew was great - very friendly and efficient."
Cons: "Close quarters between seats."
Pros: "The seat and leg space, blankets and pillows. Good dinner and breakfast and great sleep between"
Cons: "Engine noise at times drowned out the sound system"
Pros: "Wasn't too cold. Entertainment was good, needed more newer show/ movie options,"
Cons: "The touch screen wasn't working and was very slow, seats weren't comfy, felt like we were all squished together."
Pros: "The staff were very kind. The amendies (pillow, blanket and headphones) were great. The airplane food and wine selection were nice."
Pros: "Everybody was so helpful and friendly. The seating was quite pleasant although my boyfriend and I are used to staying next to each other. The entertainment was extensive keeping anybody busy for a long flight and the menu was broad enough and good quality. This is the way all flights should be!"
Pros: "Good IFE"
Cons: "No enforcement of carry on - therefore no bin space"
Cons: "Slow service and delay exiting"
Pros: "Getting on was a delight in Wellington. Having two set of doors open was great."
Cons: "Getting off in Auckland, only the front doors open so took what felt like ages to get off."
Pros: "Was the same, everything allright"
Pros: "Staff and the cleaninless of the plane."
Pros: "amazingly pleasant crew, great food, efficient service, very comfortable."
Cons: "Nothing!"
Pros: "Lots of entertainment options and friendly crew."
Cons: "flight was seriously delayed, poor communication from staff & NZ Air app to travelers re reason for & how long delay would actually be. Shortly after we finally boarded I got a text saying our connecting flight from Christchurch to Dunedin was cancelled. So, we were flown to Christchurch & given hotel accommodations for the night, only to be flown BACK the next day to Wellington to catch a flight to Dunedin. All in all quite infuriating."
Pros: "Airport was easy to get to and the flight was very smooth and comfortable on a twin engine plane that is quite modern (noise level very minimal even though it is a propeller plane). Air New Zealand attendants were super friendly and helpful."
check-in at sydney was a bit disorganized. one well-dressed woman appeared to be in charge, staring at others who were not ready and checking in passengers. one person at business class check-in, was sarcastic and only mentioned the gate assignment, no bother to mention the lounge access etc... the crew on board was stellar. so polite, helpful and respectful. the meals were great, endless beverages, and the a350 is spectacular with the seat/bed, amenity kit, television, bedding, headphones. first time flying fiji airways- honolulu- fiji-sydney, and sydney-fiji-los angeles, all in business class. their fares are much more affordable than other carriers. hopefully, one day, they will use a widebody aircraft from honolulu- fiji, since it is a nearly 7-hour flight and the 737-max 8, although comfortable, would be better with a widebody plane.
I never went and I’ve tried calling to cancel the flight see if I can postpone for another date but every time they’ll transfer me to another personal.
Pros: "On time, nice crew, clean aircraft."
Cons: "Check-in agt at bag drop was a sour puss. She could've been a bit nicer."
Pros: "Very smooth flight"
Cons: "No food options by row 29"
Cons: "On time departure"
Pros: "the crew was good."
Cons: "hot as hell during check in outside and it took forever. then the entertainment on the plane which was prehistoric with everyone having to watch the same movie, plus it was a very old movie!"
Pros: "Nice crew"
Cons: "More leg room and comfortable seats"
Pros: "The crew were welcoming, friendly, and accommodating."
Cons: "The plane is old and had no screens, so there was no entertainment option."
Cons: "Flight was 4 hours late with no explanation"
Cons: "Boarding a bit chaotic"
Cons: "Small and bland food. Very limited entertainment. TV didnt work but they gave me an ipad."
Pros: "I have been traveling at least 4 times in a year for last 20 years. I never had such a worst staff specially the Msnager of Fiji airline ground staff at Sydney airport named Christopher. Such a rude ignorant person. The amount of luggage including baby stroller I traveled from Los Angeles to Nadi. Nadi to Sydney was perfectly fine. When I checkin from Sydney to los angles, the Fiji manager said you have to pay for stroller. I said I came all the way from Los Angeles to Sydney like that and I even showed the tags too, Christopher said Sydney has different policy. I left the stroller to him and Saud to him keep it for your kids and came back home without baby stroller."
Cons: "Worst Fiji ground staff at Sydney airport"
Pros: "Friendly helpful staff. Loved the leg from Nandi to Auckland."
Cons: "Having to repack our bags when the total among the three of us flying was within limits. And then still having to pay an extra $60 US. when we didn't get it quite right by about 2 ks. However you did let my wife's wheelchair on without payment thanks for that. I am an ex pilot so it is difficult for your staff to try and explain weight ratios, and the dangers of extra weight.. Then being made to take 1 point something kilos into another lighter bag. However the staff were very good about it. not their fault that they find themselves having to talk through something that just doesn't ad up. However we enjoyed the flight, and the help we received transferring from a very late plane to one almost waiting in Fiji. :-)"
Pros: "The flight /services"
Cons: "Food was okay"
Pros: "Fantastic crew on board. Great service. Food left a bit to be desired. Entertainment a bit dated but great value for money & extremely punctual"
Pros: "Food, comfort & on board entertainment not the best but for the price of the flight it was well worth it. The flight crew and those on the ground in Nadi were amazing. Fantastic service all round. Don't forget to use the Premier Lounge in Nadi if you're there for a few hours. FJ$100 for full lounge access. It was an absolute pleasure. Best way to get to the USA from NZ."
Pros: "The staff was all very nice and I always felt like they were doing their best to help. the situation seemed out of their control. It was nice of the airline to provide hotel and meal vouchers. (The meal vouchers didn't go very far at the Sheraton where all the food is very over priced.)"
Cons: "My flight was delayed 16 hours so I missed my entire trip to Fiji. This is devastating to me and I feel I should be compensated. Fiji Airways didn't notify me of the delay until I was already at the airport checking in so it wasted even more time and money. I bought this ticket because the flight time was convenient. Then it left at 3:55am which is the worst time to leave because I couldn't sleep beforehand and felt awful the whole evening and during the flight and after. To top it off the airline wouldn't check my bag through to my final destination. I was very unhappy with how this occurred."
Pros: "Fiji Airways price"
Cons: "I don’t know what the use is of bashing this airlines on their horrible service because they don’t improve. They cancelled my flight and would not put me on a flight to NAD or provide accommodations UNTIL I argued about how the flight change was NOT my fault but theirs and disagreed to pay extra."
Pros: "I traveled with my 4 children and my husband. Out of Honolulu the flight is scheduled very late so i had extemely exhausted children. The gate agents were so very helpful and so compassionate, especially because my 4 month old baby was crying. They stepped up and helped me with my other kids as my husband was out looking for water to make a bottle for him. Awesome awesome service! The crew was very nice and helpful when we were all sleeping. Did not bother us once and they let us sleep. Unfortunately I did not try their food service but my husband said it was delicious. The only thing was that they only offered a couple of movies via some small screen at the ceiling of plane making it hard for my 5 yo daughter to watch anything ultimately relying on their tablets which dies early. Overall, from check in to touch down, it was a very pleasant flight! Oh! And the blankets were so soft!!"
Pros: "the crew always smiling."
Pros: "Most people who work for the airline are kind."
Cons: "The quality isn’t there... vegetarian meal was the same on both flights and beyond below par. Planes seem to be pretty past there prime in the 4 flights I have been on. Check in process is a nightmare without any automated options that backs everything up. When I arrived in Los Angeles and found that two zippers had been torn from my bag and one pocket open, the baggage staff scoffed at my claim and told me to go speak to a third party that handles baggage claims... I’ll just steer clear next time."
Cons: "Too cold- The air con was pumping too high everyone was freezing"
Pros: "Flights were on time. Service was great. I cannot complain about any of my flights on this trip through Fiji Airlines."
Pros: "By far the best flight attendents. Friendly, sincere and happy - the staff was outstanding."
Cons: "The only thing I didn’t like was the food. It badly needs a revamp."
Pros: "Crew."
Cons: "Food."
Pros: "The flight itself was good, the front end/airline was not so good..."
Cons: "They were a minimum 45 minutes late (one 2 hour, 2 one hour) for every flight. Their running late caused us to miss our connection to Brisbane, so they sent us to Sydney. The ,late flight into Sydney cause us to miss our flight into Brisbane (our ticketed destination city). As we de-planed on the Jetway was a woman holding a sign with 12 - 114 names on it, we were one. She told us to go the the transfer desk and they would help us. We had never been in Sydney, could not find a transfer desk (there was none) found the ticketing counter - nobody there, found the airline office - nobody there, went back to the ticket counter nobody still there, asked a competing airline, they directed us to an air travel management office, where we found Fiji Air personnel. They were surprised we were not told where to go. they tracked down the office manager. We finally met with him at 1:40 PM, he told us our flight was in the domestic terminal and scheduled to leave at 2:00 PM. There was no way we could make it to the plane on time. He was rather rude to us and asked us how we thought we were getting to Brisbane, We responded with "I don't know as we've never been here before". Having never been there. we did not know there was an international and a domestic terminal at the Sydney airport. He told us who we were to fly out on and he was going to call over to the other airline and straighten it out. We went to the domestic terminal tried to check in for our flight, but we could not. That airline called Fiji Air to find out why, after half an hour they were told Fiji Air would not honor our flight as we were noted as "no Shows"/. We had to book another flight to Brisbane. The flights were great, we have had VERY BAD EXPERIENCES with the ground personnel,"
Pros: "Good selection of entertainment."
Cons: "After many hours the seats were not too uncomfortable. But that's after 10 hours flying. It was nice that they reclined like they did. But the padding could have been better."
Pros: "movies and tv were cool"
Cons: "Fiji Gold is too sweet, Fiji bitters is much better"
Cons: "The flight was cancelled which ruined the trip for myself and seven friends."
Pros: "Staff and food were great, the flight was also very smooth. I would definitely still fly with Fiji airways, I think the delay just made everything seems worse."
Cons: "We were delayed over 3 hours. The intercom didn't work very well and the entertainment system was pretty much out of order. Also one of the toilet doors wouldn't lock."
Pros: "comfortable flight"
Cons: "asked for a blanket... girl never came back with one"
Pros: "Perfect trip. Accommodated my low sodium diet. Professional, efficient and friendly."
Pros: "Friendly staff, good food, comfortable ride."
Pros: "Interection with various crews when ever necessary."
Cons: "The one and a half hours waiting at the immigration. Only 3 officers to serve hundreds in line."
Pros: "I didn't like anything about this airline !"
Cons: "Where do I start !!!! Horrible service bad food no class ... Would never fly Fiji Airways if I have other options . Sad that it's the only airline flying to Fiji ."
Pros: "I really appreciated how the crew enforced window shades down for the majority of the flight. It really helped me sleep like I was hoping to so that I can be better adjusted to the time change and reduce jet lag."
Cons: "Airport crew rude"
Cons: "Although they are being very efficient, they collect blankets and headphones 45 min before landing and I could have still used them for 45 minutes!"
Pros: "Overall service is good for a short flight"
Pros: "Great views, fun airport w live music...seeing storm over Auckland"
Pros: "IT was a quick flight."
Cons: "People always used my the way at my comfort seat to shortn there way...so it wasnt really comfortable. The Crew seemed really stressed."
Pros: "Fiji airways food it horrible.........cant even eat it.. management should eat the slop they give us,, the service is horrible...we are treated like cattle unfortunately i must fly Fiji airways as they have a concession Fiji from LAX"
Cons: "NOTHING .............MY ADVISE IF POSSIBLE AVOID FLYING ON FIJI AIRWAYS"
Cons: "Also missed this flight."
Pros: "Lots of legroom. Clean, new plan. Friendly qnd efficient crew."
Pros: "As described above."
Cons: "I was not given a meal for dinner. When I asked they sheepishly looked away from me and told me that there would be a voucher when we landed. We did not get any voucher,nor did they make an announcement that they ran out of food and would not be able to feed half of the plane. I am extremely disappointed in how this was handled, as people next to me were given first class meals and I was given one piece of cheese and one cracker. In the morning for breakfast my meal almost didn't come, I had to ask for it. And when it was given to me it was already opened and messed with."
Pros: "Service was excellent."
Cons: "The entertainment consoles for the whole middle section went out and even a reboot could not correct the problem. No one with expertise to troubleshoot the problem."
Pros: "The meal was nice and the crew was pleasant. The flight was relatively smooth and there were no mix-up or problems with my luggage after the initial issue of having to pay to check in my carry-on due to being overweight."
Cons: "Cramped seating a bit much for such a long flight. The attendants were a little slow to pick up the rubbish from snacks, drinks and meals."
Pros: "Easy boarding."
Cons: "The food. The crew can be a little friendlier. They don't seem too happy to work for the company."