Why Fiji Airways Decided to Tattoo Their Newest Airplane

Where: Fiji

March 20, 2013 at 2:10 PM | by jetflyboy | Comment (1)

It's not only American Airlines that's got a shiny new toy to play with this month. Nope—wave goodbye to Air Pacific and say "Bula" to Fiji Airways, as this week they officially received the keys to their newest baby: a brand spanking new Airbus A330. Let's have a look!

PAR-TAY! It's hot, it's humid, and there's much to celebrate in Fiji this week. This arrival of their first A330 is not only a milestone for the airline, but it's the first physical peek at the hip look of the new Fiji Airways brand. Fun fact: Fiji Airways is the original name of the airline; they only became Air Pacific in 1971 and it's about time to switch things up.

What's more is that the new colors and Fiji Airways name is a return to the cultural heritage of the islands; gone is the rainbow tail that looks like someone drew it in Microsoft Paint, and now we see an intricate pattern taken straight from traditional Fijian Masi tribal designs and tattoos. It's a pount of national pride, this airline, so Fijians turned out en masse to greet the plane at Nadi International Airport yesterday, with a welcome ceremony and some traditional kava drinking.

A little bit closer to home, travelers will have the opportunity to spy and fly the plane when the airline launches it on their route to LA at the beginning of July. If your plans see you coming to any of the Fijian islands in the middle of the summer, you may just be lucky enough to make the journey in this baby, with its completely overhauled cabins and service offerings.

Regardless of travel class, you can expect seatback touchscreen TVs and outlets for each seat so you can Instagram your heart out as soon as you touch down in Nadi. If you've snagged a seat in the front of the plane, you'll get your money worth and arrive refreshed with an angled flat seat and personalized service from some of the friendliest cabin crew this side of the date line (more on all this tomorrow).

Fiji is known as one of the happiest places on Earth for good reason.

Best of all, how cool would it be to roll up to your gate in a plane decked out with "tattoos" on its engines and the name "Taveuni," which is a volcanic island that borders the 180-degree longitude line? So cool.

Your flight crew prepares the in-flight snack. KIDDING! This is the kava ceremony.

We are traveling as a guest of Fiji Airways, but all photos and opinions are completely our own.

[Photos: Rayme Gorniak for Jaunted]

Jaunted

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