NADI, Fiji — Fiji Airways is giving its inflight dining program a major makeover, unveiling a Pacific Rim menu that leans into local ingredients and a new eat-when-you-like concept for business-class passengers. The carrier, based in Nadi, believes the changes will deepen travelers’ sense of place from the moment their meal tray arrives.
Pacific Rim flavors showcase Fiji’s crossroads location
Travelers plotting a course through Nadi will now find dishes that draw inspiration from Asia, North America and Oceania. Fiji Airways says the culinary team set out to highlight native produce—think line-caught reef fish, root crops such as taro and a rainbow of tropical fruits—while keeping preparation techniques light and modern. Although the carrier has not published a full recipe list, early tasting notes suggest bright ceviches, pineapple-laced pork and ginger-forward broths play supporting roles.
Sustainability woven into the menu
In keeping with broader airline trends, the ingredients are being sourced with an emphasis on responsible fishing, regenerative agriculture and minimal food miles. Kitchen waste reduction targets were not disclosed, yet Fiji Airways executives point to smaller batch cooking and closer ties with local farmers as two pillars of the strategy. Eco-friendly plating, already visible in compostable coffee cups and wooden cutlery on the airline’s domestic operation, is expected to filter into long-haul cabins as stock is refreshed.
Dine on Demand: flexibility at 30,000 feet
Business-class flyers no longer have to synchronize their appetites with the crew’s trolley run. Under the new “Dine on Demand” model, passengers can place an order at any point after take-off—whether they prefer a multi-course lunch an hour into the flight or a midnight snack halfway across the Pacific. Orders are taken through a combination of handheld devices and traditional call buttons, and the galley has been reconfigured to stage several entrées simultaneously. “We’re delivering a fine-dining restaurant-quality experience in the sky,” chief executive Andre Viljoen said in a prepared statement. From a traveler’s perspective, the advantage lies in jet-lag management. Passengers connecting from Los Angeles or Vancouver can tailor their meals to home-time hunger pangs, potentially easing the time-zone jolt on arrival in Nadi or onward to Sydney, Auckland and beyond.
Economy cabin gets a taste lift, too
The overhaul is not confined to premium seats. Economy flyers will notice revamped main plates—early images show tomato and coconut stews served over rice—alongside a broadened beverage list. A new mocktail and cocktail duo joins the cart, complemented by hot chocolate on overnight sectors. The airline is also adding an anytime snack, available upon request between regular service rounds. For families traveling with children, the extra beverage choice and between-meal nibbles can smooth out the back-of-cabin experience on the 10-plus-hour trek from San Francisco or Hong Kong.
What routes offer the new service?
Fiji Airways has confirmed the Pacific Rim menu and dine-anytime option for “select long-haul flights,” without naming specific flight numbers. Based on aircraft scheduling, travelers can expect to see the program first on Airbus A350-900 and A330-200 services bound for North America and Asia, before it expands to A330-300 and Boeing 737 MAX routes. The airline has not set a public completion date for the roll-out.
Tips for travelers
- When booking business class, use the Manage Booking portal to request special dietary meals; the airline says these requests integrate with the dine-anytime flow.
- Economy passengers can ask cabin crew for the new snack item at any point after the first meal service—no need to wait for a formal round.
- The mocktail and cocktail recipes rotate seasonally; inquire about off-menu options if you have a favorite Fijian spirit or fruit.
- If you plan to sleep, alert crew to set aside your preferred dish for later delivery.
Why the refresh matters for Fiji’s tourism rebound
Fiji, which relies heavily on long-haul leisure traffic, has been rebuilding visitor numbers. Enhancing the onboard product serves a dual function: it differentiates the national carrier against stop-over competition in Honolulu or Auckland and reinforces the islands’ brand of “bula” hospitality before touchdown. The airline hopes word-of-mouth around the Pacific Rim menu will ripple out on social media, attracting food-motivated travelers who may once have overlooked the archipelago.
Frequently asked questions
Will my special meal request be honored under dine-anytime?
Yes. The airline states that medical, religious and lifestyle meal codes are pre-loaded into the new ordering system, ensuring they can be delivered on the traveler’s preferred schedule.
Is there an added fee for dine-anytime?
No. The service is bundled into the ticket price for business-class passengers.
Can economy passengers buy items from the business-class menu?
At present, class boundaries remain in place; however, Fiji Airways occasionally sells upgraded snack boxes on board. Availability is at the crew’s discretion.
Do frequent-flier elites receive extra meal perks?
The airline has not announced any additional dining benefits tied to status tiers beyond the standard cabin entitlements.
What if my flight is catered from an outstation?
On routes where Fiji Airways relies on third-party kitchens, the airline says it supplies branded recipes and key ingredients, maintaining consistency with Nadi-originating flights.
The bottom line for travelers
Whether you are a honeymooner seeking island comfort or a business traveler shuttling between Suva and San Francisco, the carrier’s dining overhaul promises more autonomy over when—and what—you eat. For many, that flexibility could be the difference between arriving groggy or refreshed at Fiji’s coral-ringed shores. Combined with flavors that nod to Fijian farms and fisheries, the new program positions Fiji Airways as more than a ride across the ocean; it becomes an early immersion into the Pacific way of life. — Source: Fiji Airways announcement surfaced on EIN Presswire
