‘Fiji Time’ doesn’t just end at the resort – you can also enjoy it at the airport. The Fiji Airways Premier Lounge at Nadi International Airport is quite impressive for a small carrier.

It’s open to Business Class passengers on both Qantas and Fiji Airways and elite guests of many other partner airlines (but not Virgin Australia, at this stage). The lounge is also part of Priority Pass and offers paid entry at the door.

Lounge location & details

The Fiji Airways Premier Lounge is after immigration and security at Nadi International Airport. Just keep heading down the duty-free corridor and then look right. You’ll see signs for the lounge, one level below the main concourse. You’ve found the right place if you see a Centurion Lounge-style green wall.

With opening hours from 5 am to 11 pm every day, the lounge welcomes passengers across all Fiji Airways flights and those of all partner airlines.

Lounge layout & seating

The Fiji Airways Premier Lounge is split into distinct seating zones, including separate areas for lounging, working and dining. My favourite part is towards the rear of the lounge, one of the last areas to fill up during the morning peak period. The cosy single-seater ‘cabins’ are a great place for solo travellers to unwind.

The lounge ambience is quite dark as the space has no windows, but the lighting strikes the right balance – not too dim or harsh. There’s a private room behind the bar that’s used for the Chef’s Table experience and another private room on the opposite side of the lounge that’s reserved for VIPs.

Food & drink

During my morning visit, breakfast is in full swing. As I generally prefer to enjoy a lighter meal before morning flights, I’m delighted to find a fruit juicer – just like in the Qantas Domestic Business Lounges! Options include watermelon, apple, pineapple, carrot and celery. It’s a hit with lots of passengers.

The hot food buffet is pretty standard for an airport lounge. There are many options, including baked beans, hash browns, grilled tomatoes, scrambled eggs and sausages. For something lighter, there are yoghurt pots and pastries as well. I enjoy a barista-crafted cappuccino to perk me up.

Also, don’t miss the Fiji Bean cart (in the background of the fifth photo above), which is stocked with sweet delights.

During a separate evening visit, the kitchen serves delicious dishes, including stir-fries, stews (e.g. chicken fricassee), rice and roast vegetables, a comprehensive salad bar and even grab-and-go sandwiches.

Want to step up lounge dining to an excellent four-course dégustation? Join the Chef’s Table at 1pm or 6pm daily, where you’ll enjoy some of the freshest produce on the island, including decadent seafood, tender lamb cooked two ways (slow-cooked and flame-grilled) and imaginative tasting platters.

For FJ$150 per person, it’s a treat that’s worth the splurge – lounge access is also included.

Back to the main lounge, alcohol is readily available all day. Some decent entry-level Aussie wines and a more exciting selection of spirits are on offer, such as Fiji’s Blue Turtle Gin. The wines are only about $10 a bottle here, but they seem quite palatable. For example, the 19 Crimes Cabernet Sauvignon has numerous stellar reviews on Dan Murphy’s.

Lounge amenities

There’s a good range of passenger-friendly amenities throughout the lounge. If you’re overburdened with carry-on bags or duty-free shopping, there’s a luggage storage area near the front of the lounge.

Apple desktop computers and printing facilities are available for any last-minute work. I have no issues finding AC or USB charging outlets. No adapters are needed for those with Australian-plug devices. The Wi-Fi works fine. You’ll get by with basic use, but don’t expect to be posting lots of 4K videos of your Fiji trip online just yet.

The bathrooms are clean and modern. I like the touch of Pure Fiji amenities, as it’s a very popular brand with travellers visiting the nation. Each bathroom has one shower room, which needs to be reserved at the bar. If people are ahead of you, you’ll be issued a buzzer.

As shower slots are limited, make this your first priority if you want to refresh before the flight.

Finally, if you’ve decided to bring your kids to Fiji, you can keep them entertained in the Lailai Land play area. It’s filled with toys and a TV showing movies.

The Lailai World kid’s experience includes a space in the lounge.

Lounge access options

  1. Class of travel: Business Class on Fiji Airways, Qantas, or other selected partners.
  2. Airline frequent flyer status: Tabua Club and Tabua Club Plus before FJ-coded and operated flights.
  3. Qantas partner frequent flyer status: Qantas Club, Qantas Gold and higher when travelling on QF-coded flights.
  4. Other partner frequent flyer status: Elite members of other selected partners.
  5. Lounge membership programs: Priority Pass and DragonPass.
  6. Pay-per-entry: FJ$135 (~AU$93) per person for standard entry. FJ$150 (~A$103) for Chef’s Table – includes entry.

You can’t use single-entry Qantas Club lounge passes here because this isn’t a Qantas-operated lounge. Qantas Club and elite status members (Gold and higher) can access this lounge if booked on a QF-coded flight.

Alternatively, if you have Priority Pass entries or unlimited access, including from the American Express Platinum Card, then you can get in using that instead.

In 2025, Fiji Airways will officially join oneworld as a full member. Once this happens, anyone with Oneworld Sapphire or Emerald (Qantas Gold or higher) status flying Fiji Airways, Qantas, or other oneworld carriers will enjoy lounge access with one guest.

Enjoy access to this lounge with unlimited Priority Pass access.

American Express Platinum Card

Apply Now Read the guide
  • Sign-up Bonus: 225,000 bonus Membership Rewards points
  • Rewards Earn Rate: Earn 2.25 Membership Rewards points per $1 on all eligible purchases, except for spend with government bodies, for which you will earn 1 point per $1 spent. 
  • Annual Fee: $1,450 p.a.
  • Offer expires: 8 April 2025

The American Express Platinum Card is offering 225,000 bonus Membership Rewards Points¹ for new American Express Card Members who apply by 8 April 2025 and spend $5,000 on eligible purchases in the first 3 months of approval. It also comes with up to $400 in Global Dining Credit¹¹ per calendar year and a $450 annual Travel Credit⁵. A great card for those who want to earn Membership Rewards Points on everyday spend and transferable to over 10 major Airline Rewards Partner Programs⁸. T&Cs apply.

Fiji Airways Premier Lounge: our take

The Fiji Airways Premier Lounge is a pleasant space to kick back before flying out of Nadi. However, it can get quite busy during the morning and evening, and the space lacks natural light. Once you look past that, the space ticks most of the other boxes. The food and beverage selection is decent, and the staff are very friendly.

Fiji Airways is looking to expand the footprint of its Premier Lounge with more space for showers, Chef’s Table, and overall seating, ensuring the lounge remains competitive in the years to come.

Photography by Brandon Loo, who accessed the lounge on separate occasions both as a paying passenger and as a guest of Fiji Airways. All opinions are his own.

Fiji Airways Premier Lounge, Nadi was last modified: February 28th, 2025 by Brandon Loo