Fiji Airways has been recognised as the Skytrax Best Airline in Australia and the Pacific at the prestigious 2023 World Airline Awards, held this week (June 20) at the Paris Air Show.

This is the first time that Fiji’s National Airline has won this accolade, while also retaining the award for the Skytrax Best Airline Staff in Australia and the Pacific for the fourth year in a row.

In 2022, Fiji Airways was ranked third in the region – behind Qantas and Air New Zealand which were first and second respectively – and this year, the carrier has made a big jump by taking out the top spot.

Fiji Airways Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director, Andre Viljoen, said these are big wins for a small airline in a highly competitive region for commercial aviation.

“Our unwavering commitment to the delivery of quality service, is the reason that Fiji Airways is today, the Best in Australia and the Pacific,” he said.

“We may not have as many resources as larger airlines, but we have the Fijian spirit of hospitality and care.

“As the National Airline of Fiji, we embrace and champion these values in everything we do, and this sets us apart as an airline,” Viljoen said.

A high-level delegation from Fiji Airways was in Paris, France, to receive the award on behalf of the company.

“The fact that these awards are determined purely on guest feedback makes our two accolades all the more special,” Viljoen said.

Travellers across the world voted in the largest airline passenger satisfaction survey to determine the award winners with more than 20 million entries, and more than 325 airlines featured in the final results.

Viljoen said Fiji Airways is committed to ‘Working as One to Deliver Exceptional Fijian Experiences’ not just with its service standards on-board, but at every customer perception point.

He said Fiji’s national airline continues to innovate, and introduce new strategies to grow the company, increase revenue and expand its global network.

All Fiji Airways flights feature Wayfarer TV episodes onboard, including essential guides to key destinations like Adelaide, Los Angeles and Singapore.