NATIONAL airline Fiji Airways is strengthening its ability to offer a faster flight time for Australians travelling to the United States with the new Nadi to Cairns route.
The year-round flight servicing North Queensland will cut flight time for Australians travelling through Fiji to just over four hours.
During the inaugural flight on Thursday, Fiji Airways chief executive officer and managing director Andre Viljoen said the new service is a big boost to convenience and global travel.
“This new route is a major milestone for Tropical North Queensland travellers and Australians eyeing a Fijian escape; the 333 islands cater to all types of holidaymakers,” he said.
“We’re thrilled to provide faster one-stop connections to North America, saving three hours and skipping extra stopovers for Aussies in the region. It’s a big boost in convenience and global connectivity.
“Plus, our full oneworld membership and AAdvantage® travel rewards program unlock even more benefits for frequent flyers including lounge access, priority boarding, and earning and redeeming miles across the extensive oneworld network.”
Cairns Airport chief executive officer Richard Barker said the direct flight would attract more international visitors to North Queensland.
“Our community has welcomed this exciting new connection with open arms,” Mr Barker said.
“Fiji Airways’ service offers locals a great new holiday option and will streamline visits to family and friends while also supporting tourism operators, strengthening trade channels and providing new education opportunities.
“Critically, this route aligns with Fiji Airways’ Dallas-Fort Worth schedule, operating on the same days, with a perfect and time-efficient connection via Nadi.
“This fast, one-stop connectivity to North America is a game changer. Destinations such as Los Angeles and San Francisco are now just 16 hours away, slashing nearly three hours of travel time and eliminating the need for additional stops in other Australian ports.”
The first flight from Cairns departed at 12.25pm and arrived at the Nadi International Airport at 6.35pm on Thursday.
Operating three times a week, Fiji Airways’ direct flights to Cairns further expand the national airline’s global network using the fuel-efficient Boeing 737 MAX 8.
The Nadi to Cairns route marks Fiji Airways’ 27th direct international service and the airline’s sixth Australian destination, with direct flights from Nadi also operating to Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Adelaide, and Canberra.
Note: This article was first published on the print version of the Fiji Times dated April 12, 2025
