On the Ground: I was returning with my family—four of us in total—after a relaxing trip to Fiji. This was a true family getaway, much like the trips we describe in our regular column in Global Traveler. At Nadi International the line for Tabua (business) Class was short, and we checked in quickly and pleasantly. As I do for every flight, I carried my roller bag through to the departure and security points. At security I was told my bag weighed 26 kilos and that the maximum for carry-on was seven kilos. Attempts to negotiate with the security staff were unsuccessful, so we complied and redistributed about two-thirds of my clothing into my family’s carry-ons. Once inside the Air Pacific Tabua Class lounge I moved the items back into my roller bag and had no trouble stowing it in the overhead bin at boarding.
The lounge itself was adequate but not exceptional—there was a small buffet and a full bar, which was convenient, but little else to distinguish it from other regional business lounges. Given the rest of the experience, this felt like the one area where Air Pacific could have done more to impress. (15/20)
On Board: Walking onto the Boeing 747-400 and seeing the massive nose up close is always a thrill. For many travelers, there is nothing quite like a 747’s takeoff and landing, and aviation fans especially enjoy the mechanical sounds as the nose landing gear retracts. We were offered a preflight cocktail while waiting for the cabin to finish boarding. Initially I had reservations about the idea of a quick-service menu, but the selection was surprisingly wide. Air Pacific’s approach on this return flight seemed well judged: feed business-class passengers well and then let them sleep.
I chose the vegetarian meal, having indulged during our week at Turtle Island Resort. The dish was well prepared and satisfying; what the airline described as a “light meal” turned out to be quite substantial. After dinner I watched a movie and then prepared to rest. I placed some of my carry-on items on the floor in front of my seat and converted the roomy Fijian business-class seat into a near-flat bed. The seat was wide enough to curl up comfortably, and I slept for eight uninterrupted hours. On waking I accepted breakfast and we readied ourselves for arrival at LAX. (35/40)
The Experience: Throughout the flight the cabin crew kept business-class passengers comfortable and attended to needs efficiently and politely. Service timing and professionalism contributed significantly to an overall pleasant experience. The only notable downside was the arrival procedure: we landed at a remote gate in the Tom Bradley International Terminal at LAX and were then required to board a shuttle bus to the main terminal, which added unnecessary time and inconvenience at the end of an otherwise smooth journey. (38/40)
Total Score: 88/100