With my business class seat, I was granted to access to the American Airlines Flagship Lounge, where a Piper-Heidsieck champagne stand greeted me by the entrance, along with an impressive chef-driven buffet—including a red miso and Tonkotsu broth bar, house-made sushi, and paneer tikka masala, with craft-your-own Texas margarita and Bloody Mary stations to boot.
Soon, it was time for me to board the 10:50 p.m. flight, which operates on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays. Entering the brightly-lit business cabin with a soft purple hue, I felt like I had already been transported to Fiji. The cheerful flight attendant doted on me with the local welcoming “bula” spirit, kindly asking the proper pronunciation of my name before addressing me. Overhead, Fijian music lulled me into a relaxed mindset, as I caught lyrics describing the “stars over Fiji.” I opened up the amenity kit emblazoned with traditional Fijian patterns to find socks, an eye mask, dental kit, pen, and Teaology tea-infused body cream.
Settling into one of 33 lie-flat seats in business on the Airbus A350-900 XWB, the private alcove was cozy for my 5-foot-6 frame. My window seat was situated diagonally for plenty of legroom, and just enough width for me to shift to my side when laying down. The adjustable aisle-side armrest opened up into a storage unit, where a bottle of water and headphones were waiting. An eco-friendly bag contained a pillow and blanket. In addition to a built-in reading light, the window-side space had a magazine storage rack, and two more compartments: one for storage and another that contained electronic outlets (one traditional electrical plug and two USB-As).
I then moved my attention to the menu selection card at my seat, and ordered an appetizer of grilled prawn (other choices were harissa hummus and pea watercress soup), and Fijian BBQ chicken (seared halibut salad, Reuben sandwich, and mushroom ravioli were also offered). Meals could be topped off with a dessert of pineapple and mango sorbet, ice cream, or a tropical fruit bowl.
Not long after take-off, mixed dry snacks were served and an attendant brought around a card with a code to redeem free onboard Wi-Fi, a perk for all business passengers. Though I was able to log on quickly—and even load up some video clips of SNL as it aired—the further we got into the Pacific Ocean, the spottier the service became.
Through my sleepy state, I made it through the generous appetizer and entree, especially appreciating the flavorful chicken sauce. But ultimately, I couldn’t fight my heavy eyelids, and the next thing I knew, I had slept through the sorbet I had been craving. When I woke up, there were only four hours left to go on the flight.
I spent the last few hours heeding my physical therapist’s advice to walk as much as possible, enjoying the coconut-scented bathroom soap and lotion and browsing the snack basket, with a standard selection of Sun Chips, Oreos and M&Ms. I also channel-hopped through its entertainment system with a delightfully curated list of TV and movies, like Wonka, Inception, and You’ve Got Mail, plus Bollywood, Asian Cinema, and Lailai Kids’ World selections. A chose to watch a few short videos introducing Fiji, including one about the Sigatoka River Safari, a tour operator started by a chance meeting in 1991 between an Australian and local Fijian.
