Info On Flying Fiji Airways Out of LAX to Australia

Here is my breakdown of the Fiji Airways flight from Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) to Brisbane, Australia

I don’t own a car. I am stating that up front so you understand that driving to LAX has never been an easy option for me. While I can drive, it is not something that I would choose to do. Traveling to LAX from San Diego is a lot easier, in my opinion, using the Pacific Surfliner (Amtrak) train and the FlyAway bus.

This is my own personal view, of course, now based on a number of times having done the trip to LAX using these modes of transport, it is going to be what I recommend for clients in San Diego planning to fly out of LAX.

I have downloaded the Amtrak App and book my tickets on that. The ease with which I can change to a different train is wonderful and simple. For example, I had originally booked a 4pm departure from San Diego for one international trip, but decided to go earlier. This meant I wanted to change my train ticket from the 4pm train to the 2pm train instead.

In a couple of clicks, on the App, that change was made.

What I love about taking the train to LAX is that I get to enjoy a three hour trip by simply sitting back and watching the ocean and other scenery go by. No worrying about traffic, accidents, or how I am going to get into the airport and find parking.

For only $38 per Adult in economy class, one way, it is well worth it to reduce the stress alone.

I used to opt to pay the higher rate and travel in Business Class, but shifted back to economy as it is often quieter. There are more tables and places for families to sit together in Business, especially on a Saturday, so it gets quite rowdy in the Business Class cabin.

✈️Travel Note – Amtrak no longer accepts checked luggage so if you have a heavy case, be prepared to lift it up into the train yourself. Be one of the first to line up at the Santa Fe Depot station so you have first access to the luggage storage sections on the lower level.

Check In at LAX

I hear from a lot of travelers say they don’t like traveling via LAX at all. I have personally never had any issue with it. Why? Because I don’t ever drive to LAX. I also allow myself plenty of time prior to check in.

When I get off the FlyAway bus I ask to be dropped off at Terminal1 for Southwest. I do this so I can walk from Terminal 1 to Terminal B the Tom Bradley International Terminal. That is where you check in for Fiji Airways flights.

When you walk in the first front doors you come to, walking in from Terminal 1 to Terminal B, Fiji Airways check in is located in the very first aisle to your left, Section A.

Having arrived early I do a couple of long walks outside on the terminal concourse to get my steps in prior to the 10 hour long haul flight.

I find this not only fills in time, but also gets me the exercise prior to sitting for those hours.

The Fiji Airways gate opened earlier than was scheduled and the team are very welcoming. You will be welcomed with a “Bula”, which is the Fijian word for “welcome.”

✈️Travel Note Fiji Airways will weigh your carry on bag (remember you are only allowed one piece of carry on), so be sure to be under their limit of 15 lbs or (7 kgs). You will have issues if your checked bag weighs close to your allowable limit and you have to transfer items out of your carry on. Fiji Airways are also very strict in only allowing one piece of carry on, meaning you have to merge any additional items you have into the one carry on piece.

Going Through Security At LAX

I have never had a long wait going through Security at LAX for my Fiji Airways flight and that could be (a) because I’m always early for the flight and (b) the time that the flight leaves.

With Fiji Airways flights leaving out of LAX at around 11.45pm, I found that going through security around 8.30 – 9pm there are no long lines.

If you are a traveler that leaves it to the last minute to check in for a flight, be aware you have quite a distant to travel to the gate, after you clear security.

Getting To The Fiji Airways Gate

Once you clear security you then have a long walk to get to the Fiji Airways gate. You do go via the Duty Free shopping area, and food zone, so if you are like me, and early, it is a perfect time to grab an evening meal or snack before getting on the plane.

With limited food options down at the gate area it is worth grabbing hot food in this zone prior to going to the gate.

Fiji Airways leaves Los Angeles out of Gate 202. This is in the new extension of the Tom Bradley International Terminal which is a long way from Security.
There are carts that you can catch that help take you part of the way, but understand there are a number of escalators to travel down, and at least a mile to walk before you get to the gate.

✈️Travel Note – Leave yourself enough time to travel to the Fiji Airways gate. They will do a further passport security and boarding pass check, and stamp it, prior to boarding. You need to be at the gate in time to have that occur prior to the boarding lines being created.
Consider walking so you do get that exercise prior to sitting on the plane for10 hours, or catch the carts once you leave the ‘Gateway’ area.

Onboard the Fiji Airways Flight

I have always found the Fiji Airways crew to be very friendly, which goes along with the whole Fijian culture of being welcoming. Blankets and pillows are provided on the flights.
I brought my own earphones, but the Fiji Airways team distributed those to passengers that didn’t have them, at no additional cost.

The meals on the flight are good and you have several choices. When I say “good”, I’m a picky eater and never pre-order special meals, and I find that I eat a lot of what is provided on the flight.

There was a great choice of new movies onboard and the entertainment is also included in the ticket price.

✈️Travel Tip – One of the special things available on the Fiji Airways A350-900 is the
onboard camera. If you turn on the flight map, there is also the option to see the plane land. A fellow passenger on my flight filmed the plane landing at Nadi Airport, much to their delight.
It’s not a feature you normally have available on a lot of long haul flights, so enjoy it.

🧳Travel Packing Tip –
If you have trouble with the standard neck pillows I highly recommend buying yourself a
Turtl Travel Neck Pillow. I have used the standard U shaped neck pillows previously and always ended up with a sore neck, no sleep and a headache.

That has all changed since switching to the Turtl pillow.

Arriving Into Nadi, Fiji

For this flight I was a transiting passenger as I was flying onto Australia with no stop over time in Fiji. Transiting through Nadi International Airport is easy. There are clear signs that direct you from the gate to the transit lounge.

You must complete an inbound passenger card prior to your arrival into Fiji.

Once you enter the terminal building, the line for transiting passengers is on the left. Here you must present your passport and boarding pass, plus submit your inbound passenger card.

After that check you will then go through a security check with your carry on luggage. Remember you cannot have liquid with you at that time.

Inside the Nadi, Fiji Terminal

I did note that my phone shifted to International Roaming when I arrived in Fiji. Make sure to check with your phone carrier about international charges.

I’m with T Mobile and had talked to the support team while I was traveling on the train, to check what coverage was like for me in Australia.

The Internet at the Nadi Terminal hadn’t worked on a previous visit, but seemed to this time. Just be aware that service may not be what you are expecting. You won’t be able to stream movies or do anything like that whilst you are in the terminal.

There is a Burger King plus one other food option in the Nadi Terminal. I find the staff at Burger King very friendly and helpful and the food is up to standard, Again, that is my personal opinion.

The Lounge area has plenty of space to sit down, if you haven’t had enough of that on the flight.

🧳Travel Packing Tip – Remember to pack a pen in your carry on luggage. It is one of those items that you need for completion of arrival cards, yet often forget to pack. Drop one into your carry on so you have it handy when the cards are initially handed out onboard.

If like me on a previous flight, you don’t have a pen handy and stop to complete the card, security might treat you with suspicion. I found out that, because I had held back and didn’t go through with the main group of passengers, they thought I was hiding something, so did a thorough security check of me and my luggage.

✈️Travel Tip – Make sure to check with your phone carrier to understand your coverage in both Fiji and Australia. You might find your plan already has coverage, or that you need to purchase an additional plan prior to leaving the USA.

Flying From Nadi To Brisbane, Australia

Being called for your Australian flight you are told that there is a second security screening that you do need to go through, prior to embarking on the plane. You will need to have your bags checked by the Fiji Airways security team.

If you have purchased Duty Free goods, they will be ready for you at this point.

Then you are set to find your seat for the next flight to Australia. Whilst you will have changed planes you still have entertainment and food on the flight. And the crew are just as welcoming as the LAX to Fiji portion.

✈️Travel Tip 1 – I flew to Brisbane because my internal onward flight was to Townsville, out of Brisbane. Be aware that internal flights in Australia are now quite expensive, so fly into the airport nearest your final destination. It saves on additional internal flight costs.

✈️Travel Tip 2 – There is an International Money Exchange at the side of the luggage carousels at Brisbane Airport. Each time I fly back to Australia I take $100 USD with me and exchange it here, at the booth. Exchange your money here as they do not charge an exchange fee, which I like and it means I don’t have to find a place to exchange my money once I have left the Airport. Australian businesses accept cash, so it’s worthwhile having some as a back up.

Remember that in the current environment (December 2024) the exchange rate from USD to AUD is in your favor. You will end up with more than the $100 you handed over at the exchange booth.

Overall Thoughts

With the first part of the flight around 10 hours overnight I find that time goes quickly, especially when I’m able to sleep. The jump from Fiji to Australia is an easy 4 hours, or less too so that makes that part of the flight easy.

The hospitality and service by the Fiji Airways team made the flight very enjoyable. And given the amenities included with the flight, for the price, this is a great option.

BIG BONUS – I wasn’t aware until recently, whilst attending an event with Fiji Tourism and Fiji Airways that

• You can stop over in Fiji on the way to Australia for up to 48 hours and not pay extra taxes.
• You must book the two flights together LAX to Nadi and Nadi to Australia, but you can do that and allow the stopover in Fiji between the two flights.
  
  This is one great way to experience Fiji whilst heading for your wonderful experience in Australia.