Latest news with #AndreViljoen
7NEWS
21-04-2025
- Business
- 7NEWS
Fiji Airways review: Nadi to Dallas Fort Worth direct flights open up new options for Aussie travellers
Fiji Airways has launched a new direct route from Nadi to Dallas Fort Worth, offering Australians travelling to the business hub a new island layover. The airline launched the direct route from Fiji to the US late last year, with the airline now regularly flying out of Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane and — as of this month — Cairns. But if you can already get a direct flight from Down Under to Dallas on other airlines offering layovers in places like Singapore, Dubai, and Bangkok — why stop in Fiji? Know the news with the 7NEWS app: Download today Well, that question was answered on my first day in Dallas, by the diner waitress pouring me bottomless filter coffee, and plonking plates of pancakes, scrambled eggs, biscuits and gravy in front of me. She was an elderly waitress with a thick Southern accent, and as she turned back toward the counter, the slogan printed on the back of her uniform said: 'Life's short, eat dessert first.' If the Texan financial hub is dinner, Fiji is most certainly dessert. Flying into Dallas, I was first greeted by the vast white rooftops of sprawling megaplexes, and humungous highways snaking in and out of each other like concrete muscles. Above Nadi, passengers are conversely met with the luscious greens of farmland and mountains, and the mottled blue of reefy waterways. On the ground, beachside resorts boast luxurious pools, and the lullaby-pace of 'Fiji time' keeps everyone smiling. Even the fullest travellers will declare they have room to fit Fiji. But if I'm honest, the first exotic destination on my trip between the two beautiful cities — as someone who had never flown Business Class — was Fiji Airways new Airbus A350-900 XWB, which I was sent to review. Fiji Airways CEO and Managing Director Andre Viljoen shared that sentiment when he told 'From the moment you step aboard, your holiday begins.' 'You become part of our Vuvale (family).' Under the ambient, purple cabin lighting, the four-and-a-half hour journey from Sydney to Fiji literally and figuratively flew by. The Wi-Fi was out-of-action during my flights with the airline, but I had enough space and storage in and around my seat to spread out with my books, journals, even crafting supplies — and between movies, settled in to a digital detox. Each of the roomy seats had aisle access, with lie-flat recliners that were puffed up with a mattress-topper, pillows, and duvets pulled from the overhead compartments by the cabin crew as the lights were dimmed for the evening. I confess, one leg of the trip was spent without knowledge that this was an option — it took a comment made to another traveller, about whether their backside had also been slipping into the gap between seat cushions, to discover that the beds could be made up on request. This was apparently something one can expect in Business, you need only ask. I blushed — my Economy-class was beginning to show. Above and beyond Hot towels and welcome beverages served in glass flutes — these luxuries, at least, I had been prepared for. But there were more surprises still to be had onboard. I was just getting settled into my seat, preparing to take off from Nadi, when I noticed that my new scarf was no longer draped over my bag. I gave a description of the bright blue garment to the airline staff, who called the Premier Lounge and confirmed with me that it was not there. I assumed that nothing that could be done, and got to work coming to terms with the ephemerality of my material posessions. But, without my knowing, the cabin crew had subsequently sent someone to retrace my steps through the airport, where they discovered the scarf on the floor somewhere, and casually handed it back to me, perfectly folded, moments before take-off. How the other half live, I thought, as I took alternating sips of my complimentary orange juice and sparkling wine. The small but regularly-refreshed menu was passed around promptly afterwards, from which I selected cold prawns and salsa, a coconut milk-poached fish, a savoury crepe stuffed with greens, and a pot of Häagen-Dazs Belgian chocolate ice cream. I asked Viljoen about his favourite dishes on the Business Class menu, and he noted some of the desserts, which 'infuse local Fijian ingredients with modern techniques' like the Fijian Purini, a steamed coconut caramel pudding served with curry leaf and cardamom ice-cream. My favourite thing was the 'ota' — little fiddlehead fern fronds cooked to tender and served as an accompaniment to several dishes that I tried on the in-flight menu. I only had about seven hours in Nadi — one hour for each of the pools at the stunning new five-star Crowne Plaza in Nadi Bay, where I was lucky enough to let the time slip by leisurely, and where I hope to one day return. I asked Viljoen what he would recommend for someone with more time on the island, and he said, 'it's impossible to name just one'. Heading to a traditional village on a Sigatoka River Safari, taking a snorkelling or diving trip in the Mamanucas or Yasawa Islands – Fiji's outer islands — or day trips to Malamala Beach Club, South Sea Island, Cloud 9 and Seventh Heaven, were at the top of his list. After the 14-hour flight from Nadi to Texas, I was sufficiently rested, fed, and entertained, and even detected a hint of sadness to farewell a couple of the cabin crew members, who for a brief airborne-moment really did feel a little like vuvale. Stream free on
Observer
05-04-2025
- Business
- Observer
oneworld welcomes Fiji Airways to the global alliance
Muscat: Fiji Airways, the flag carrier of Fiji and the South Pacific, has started offering oneworld benefits available to customers around the world. 'The introduction of Fiji Airways marks an important strategic step for our alliance as we connect even more people, places and experiences than ever before,' said Nat Pieper, CEO of oneworld. 'Fiji Airways customers will benefit from oneworld's global reach of more than 900 destinations, priority services and premium lounge access, and we're thrilled to welcome them to the oneworld family.' Fiji Airways, with its hub at Nadi International Airport, serves 25 destinations in 14 countries and territories globally, including oneworld hubs in Hong Kong, Tokyo, Sydney, and its newest global destination, Dallas-Fort Worth, further connecting the airline into the oneworld network. 'Becoming a full member of the oneworld alliance is a proud and momentous milestone for Fiji Airways. This achievement reflects our commitment to providing world-class service and expanding our global reach, while showcasing the warmth and hospitality of Fiji to the world, said Andre Viljoen, Managing Director and CEO of Fiji Airways. 'As a full member, we are excited to offer our customers even greater benefits and seamless connectivity across the extensive oneworld network. We look forward to welcoming more oneworld customers onboard to experience the beauty of Fiji and the exceptional service of Fiji Airways." Fiji Airways has also adopted the American Airlines award-winning AAdvantage® travel rewards programme as its frequent flyer programme, ensuring its most frequent travellers can now enjoy all the benefits of the oneworld alliance as AAdvantage® members. Taking to the skies on September 1, 1951, Fiji Airways now boasts a fleet of 23 state-of-the art aircraft, including its flagship A350-900s, offering customers warm and welcoming Fijian hospitality on all flights.
Yahoo
31-03-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Paradise Found: oneworld welcomes Fiji Airways to global alliance
Fiji Airways adopts award-winning AAdvantage® as its travel rewards programme FORT WORTH, Texas, March 31, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- oneworld® alliance today welcomes Fiji Airways, the flag carrier of Fiji and the South Pacific, as its newest member airline, with a full suite of oneworld benefits available to customers around the world beginning 01 April 2025. Fiji Airways will provide top tier customers with a full suite of oneworld benefits as a full member airline: Access to a network of nearly 700 airport lounges globally, including recently opened oneworld branded lounges in Amsterdam's Schiphol and Seoul's Incheon airports Priority check-in and boarding Earning and redeeming miles Earning Tier Points "The introduction of Fiji Airways marks an important strategic step for our alliance as we connect even more people, places and experiences than ever before," said Nat Pieper, CEO of oneworld. "Fiji Airways customers will benefit from oneworld's global reach of more than 900 destinations, priority services and premium lounge access, and we're thrilled to welcome them to the oneworld family." Fiji Airways, with its hub at Nadi International Airport, serves 25 destinations in 14 countries and territories globally, including oneworld hubs in Hong Kong, Tokyo, Sydney and its newest global destination, Dallas-Fort Worth, further connecting the airline into the oneworld network. "Becoming a full member of the oneworld alliance is a proud and momentous milestone for Fiji Airways. This achievement reflects our commitment to providing world-class service and expanding our global reach, while showcasing the warmth and hospitality of Fiji to the world, said Andre Viljoen, Managing Director and CEO of Fiji Airways. "As a full member, we are excited to offer our customers even greater benefits and seamless connectivity across the extensive oneworld network. We look forward to welcoming more oneworld customers onboard to experience the beauty of Fiji and the exceptional service of Fiji Airways." Fiji Airways has also adopted the American Airlines award-winning AAdvantage® travel rewards programme as their frequent flyer programme, ensuring its most frequent travellers can now enjoy all the benefits of oneworld alliance as AAdvantage® members. Taking to the skies on 1st September 1951, Fiji Airways now boasts a fleet of 23 state-of-the art aircraft, including its flagship A350-900s, offering customers warm and welcoming Fijian hospitality on all flights. Fiji Airways continues to be recognised for its excellence, earning a Five Star Major Airline rating from APEX for the third consecutive year and multiple Skytrax 2024 awards, including Best Airline, Best Business Class Onboard Catering, and Best Cabin Crew in Australia/Pacific. As part of its oneworld integration, Fiji Link joins as an affiliate airline, further expanding the alliance's reach with domestic services across Fiji and regional connections to Tonga, Samoa, Tuvalu, and Vanuatu. To learn more about oneworld and its member airlines, visit For media queries, please contact press@ About oneworldoneworld brings together 14 world-class airlines – Alaska Airlines, American Airlines, British Airways, Cathay Pacific, Fiji Airways, Finnair, Iberia, Japan Airlines, Malaysia Airlines, Qantas, Qatar Airways, Royal Air Maroc, Royal Jordanian and SriLankan Airlines, and more than 20 of their affiliates. oneworld member airlines work together to consistently deliver a superior, seamless travel experience, with special rewards and privileges for its frequent flyers, including earning and redeeming miles and points across the entire alliance network, access to airport lounges, priority check in and boarding and extra baggage allowances and more. Learn more about the the oneworld® alliance at Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, X and LinkedIn. About Fiji Airways:Founded in 1951, the Fiji Airways airline group comprises Fiji Airways, Fiji's international airline, and its wholly owned domestic and regional subsidiary, Fiji Link. Fiji Airways is a member of the oneworld® alliance, whose members serve more than 900 destinations around the globe. From its hubs at Nadi and Suva International Airports, Fiji Airways and Fiji Link serve 101 destinations in over 14 countries (including codeshare). Destinations include Fiji, Australia, New Zealand, the US, Canada, the UK, Hong Kong (SAR China), Singapore, India, Japan, China, Samoa, Tonga, Tuvalu, Kiribati, Vanuatu and Solomon Islands. The Fiji Airways Group brings in 70 percent of all visitors who fly to Fiji, employs over 2000 employees, and earned revenues of over FJD$1.7 billion (USD $770m) in 2023. Fiji Airways rebranded from Air Pacific in June 2013. Visit for more information. About American AirlinesAs a leading global airline, American Airlines offers thousands of flights per day to more than 350 destinations in more than 60 countries. The airline is a founding member of the oneworld® alliance, whose members serve more than 900 destinations around the globe. Shares of American Airlines Group Inc. trade on Nasdaq under the ticker symbol AAL. Learn more about what's happening at American by visiting and connect with American @AmericanAir and at To Care for People on Life's Journey®. View original content to download multimedia: SOURCE oneworld Management Company, Inc Sign in to access your portfolio
