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What’s it like to fly for Fiji Airways?

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What’s it like to fly for Fiji Airways?

A Fiji Airways plane flying in the sky.

Gain the Best Flying Experience With Fiji Airways

Fiji Airways is Fiji’s flag carrier, with routes from Fiji to 13 countries and 23 cities including Australia, New Zealand, Samoa and, farther afield, the United States, Hong Kong and Singapore. Fiji is a beautiful, tropical holiday destination and Fiji Airways brings in 64% of the country’s visitors, flying in and out of Fiji’s main hubs Nadi and Suva.

The Fiji Airways fleet includes the B737NG, B737 MAX, A330 and A350, for which the airline recruit both local and expat First Officers and Captains. Pilots operate in a commuting capacity, and can select to serve a base from a range of bases in the United States, Hong Kong, Australia and New Zealand.

But what’s it like to fly for Fiji Airways? At IAC Global, we don’t fly the aircraft – we just know the best people for the job! So we asked some of IAC Global’s most accomplished pilots about their experiences at Fiji Airways.

Interview with A330 First Officer Albert Van Paddenburg

How was your experience of applying through IAC Global? 

Not having worked for an agency before, IAC led me through every step of the way to working in this beautiful part of the world. The transition from working in Asia to the South Pacific couldn’t have been easier.

What’s a typical week of flying like for you?

A typical week consist of one long haul to destinations like San Francisco, Los Angeles, Tokyo, Hong Kong or Singapore and a short return sector to either New Zealand or Australia.

How has your experience flying at Fiji Airways been different from flying at other airlines?

We have on average 9 destinations. Some with 2- to 3-night layovers, a relative ease when compared to what I used to do.

What’s a typical few hours in the cockpit like?

Our long-haul flights consist of 3 crew members. Allowing one crew member to take rest in turn once at cruise. Like any long-haul flight we do system, fuel, weather, flight plan route & distance checks throughout the entire flight.

In between flights, what do you like to do?

The time off between flights allows me ample time to enjoy the Pacific island lifestyle with my expat and local colleagues alike.

How would you describe the Fiji Airways pilot community?

Your work colleagues become your family; we are a community that support each other. We get together every so often and catch up over dinner, or we study together to prepare for our sim recurrence.

Where do you commute from and how is your work-life balance?

I commute from Melbourne, Australia. It all depends on the individual. Your particular phase in life, single, family, kids all come in to play. As for me, the relative short commute to Melbourne helps. The work-life balance is overall good.

Fiji Tropical Beach

Interview with an IAC A330 Captain

How was your experience of applying through IAC Global?

​IAC were very helpful with my application and kept me updated with my progress.

What’s a typical week of flying like for you?

​It’s a good mix of flying with some great layovers, such as San Francisco, Los Angeles and my favourite, the 5-night Singapore.

How has your experience flying at Fiji Airways been different from flying at other airlines?

​Fiji Airways is a small operation and everyone knows who you are. I came from a large airline with over 2,000 pilots, and you were just a number.

What’s a typical few hours in the cockpit like? 

​It’s a relaxed atmosphere but it is also a professional operation.

In between flights, what do you like to do? 

​I like to ride my mountain bike when I get some down time, and we regularly eat out with the pilot group at the many restaurants around Nadi, Fiji.

How would you describe the Fiji Airways pilot community?

​They are a solid bunch of people, who look out for each other. As we commute from around the world, the pilot group is like a second family.

Where do you commute from and how is your work-life balance? 

​I commute from Australia, and I take two days’ annual leave each month with my ten days off. I find that when I return to work, I feel refreshed after a nice break from the workplace.