Desperate for a dash to Denarau Island? As previously covered by Point Hacks, Fiji Airways will officially recommence flights between Australia and Nadi from 1 December 2021.
The airline will kick things off with twice-daily flights between Sydney and Nadi on brand new Airbus A350-900 aircraft, as well as the fuel-efficient and modern Boeing 737 MAX. Brisbane and Melbourne residents will enjoy daily flights to Nadi as well, also on the single-aisle Boeing jets.
Further abroad, Fiji Airways will fly Airbus A350s daily to Los Angeles, 5 times weekly to San Francisco on the older Airbus A330 jets, and twice weekly to Hawaii on the Boeing 737 MAX. Other international destinations include Auckland, Christchurch, Wellington, Hong Kong, Singapore and Tokyo (Narita).
Fiji Airways flights and Qantas Points
Earning Qantas Points on Fiji Airways flights
With return fares from Australia starting from $929 in Economy and $1,699 in Business Class, this might be a case where you may be better off just paying for Business Class outright. The fare difference is certainly reasonable, especially if you can nab an Airbus A350 flight. Business reward seats are hard to find, at present.
From Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane, you’ll earn the following on Fiji Airways-operated flights to Nadi:
- Discount Economy: 450 Qantas Points + 10 Status Credits
- Economy: 900 Qantas Points + 10 Status Credits
- Flexible Economy: 1,800 Qantas Points + 20 Status Credits
- Business: 2,250 Qantas Points + 40 Status Credits
Using Qantas Points on Fiji Airways flights
You will find reward seats if you’re flexible enough. While flights around the 2021 Christmas period are now pretty much sold out, reward availability improves throughout January 2022.
- Sydney/Brisbane to Nadi: 18,000 points in Economy, 41,500 points in Business (+ taxes)
- Melbourne to Nadi: 22,300 points in Economy, 57,000 points in Business (+ taxes)
As Fiji Airways also flies eastwards, you could potentially transit via Nadi to the USA. For example, fly Fiji Airways Airbus A350 Business Class from Sydney to Los Angeles via Nadi, for 108,400 Qantas Points and just $178 in taxes. At the time of writing, the best availability is from mid-January 2022 onwards.
Read more: How to travel to Fiji with frequent flyer points in 2021 →
Getting COVID-ready for your Fiji holiday
Fiji will initially offer quarantine-free travel to fully-vaccinated travellers from certain countries, including Australia. The roster also includes the likes of the USA, the UK, Canada, Japan, Singapore and more. Once Australia’s ban on outgoing international travel is lifted, you should be ready to travel to Fiji.
But bear in mind that certain conditions will still apply:
- Travellers must be fully vaccinated with Astra-Zeneca, Pfizer, Johnson & Johnson or Moderna.
- Everyone 12 years or older must have a negative RT-PCR test done 3 days before boarding to Fiji. This will likely cost around AUD$150 per person, depending on the clinic.
- You’ll need the ‘careFiji’ contact tracing app once you’re in Fiji.
- You must take a mandatory rapid COVID-19 test at your hotel, upon arrival. This will likely cost around FJD$35 (AUD$23) per person.
- Depending on Australia’s re-entry requirements, you may need to take another negative RT-PCR test before flying back. This would cost around FJD$350 (AUD$230) per person, from select clinics in Nadi and Suva.
All-in-all, a family of 4 flying from Sydney should budget at least AUD$700 for pre-trip and on-arrival COVID-19 testing. A further AUD$920 should also be set aside if PCR testing is required before flying back to Australia. This may be dependent on the airline you choose, and Australia’s entry requirements at the time.
Summing up
Fiji is opening up for business and I’m sure many of you are excited to be getting away. Lead-in fares are quite reasonable, particularly in Business Class. But from January 2022 onwards, you also have a decent shot at reward seats using your Qantas Points (or via other partner frequent flyer programs).
In related news, Virgin Australia will bring forward Australia-Fiji flights to 16 December 2021. The airline will initially start with daily services from Sydney and Melbourne, and thrice-weekly flights from Brisbane. But just before Christmas, that schedule is expected to include double-daily flights from Sydney.
Just be mindful that international travel is nowhere near ‘business as usual’ right now. You will likely need to set aside quite a few hundred dollars for RT-PCR COVID tests before flying. But if you can stomach that cost, then Fiji will welcome you with open arms. Bula!
Are you looking to fly Fiji Airways from December 1? Let us know in the comments below.
Flying Melbourne to LAX in December. Booked via Fiji Airways website. I jumped the gun and book early October and ended up paying more for a business class seat, when later in October i found the same airfare almost $2,000 cheaper. Not happy! Anyway when transiting in Nadi from Melbourne to Lax it is only a 1hr 10min transit. Is that enough time to change flights? Also any testing required in transit or is it as simple as getting off one flight and onto the other and just showing negative tests?
Thanks for this important info about costs of tests. I had no idea it would cost so much. Fiji seemed like a cheap holiday option but with our family of four the tests take us over budget. So have to rethink to book Fiji or not. Many of my friends who have booked has no idea about this.
Hi – have booked for Fiji departing December 27th on Virgin. Will the standard free PCR testing we currently have in Sydney suffice for boarding aircraft that provides results via phone text? Is the phone result enough to board at Sydney and be permitted entry to Nadi airport? Do you think the Radisson at Denarau will be able to point us in the right direction for testing upon return, or should we do our research before we leave? Thank you. Great article.
Hi, thanks for your feedback. We’ll have to wait closer to December to know for sure. At this stage, it appears most governments will require proper e-mail or printed results for verification.
Hi, I am booked for a short break to Fiji and staying at the Radisson blu resort for 5 nights from the 2nd of January 2022. I too am having a hard time finding any info about where to get the PCR test before the flight, I thought they might have it at the airport, but I can not find any info there.
Also, home quarantine when we get back on the 7th, there is no time frame eg 3 days, or 7 days??? I hate not knowing how long it will be, so hard to plan anything.
I guess I will just have to wait until the 17th of December for them to give more info, I hate not knowing!!
Hi Darlyn, I recommend contacting your resort in Fiji for more info, as many resorts will be able to organise PCR testing (and also conduct the on-arrival rapid testing which is also required). As for your return to Queensland (based on what you’ve written), yes it’s a matter of waiting for more information on the 80% home quarantine requirements.
Got a business class reward seat Honolulu-Fiji-Syd-Mel so do I get a USA rapid test before leaving and one when home in Mel? Won’t be leaving Nadi or Syd airports.
Hi Anita, best to check with the airline/government websites directly in the week leading up to the trip. Most likely Australia will require you to undergo some sort of paid PCR testing before departing the USA.