Fiji Airways has achieved a historic milestone by winning the APEX World Class Airline for 2026 Award – the most prestigious recognition in global aviation that places the airline among the Top 10 Airlines in the World.
Fiji Airways, the national carrier of Fiji and a proud member of the oneworld alliance, is the smallest airline by fleet size ever to earn this honour, and the only airline in Oceania to be recognised.
They say in a world dominated by global airline giants with extensive resources and vast fleet sizes, Fiji Airways has had to punch far above its weight to compete and grow.
Fiji Airways says their journey to World Class was driven by their determination to have a place on the world stage, to differentiate itself, and to prove that a small airline from a small island nation can soar with the very best.
They say the APEX World Class Award is judged through a rigorous process that combined independent audits with global passenger feedback, measuring excellence across safety, sustainability, well-being, service, and customer experience.
The national airline says winning World Class was not an accolade achieved overnight, it was the product of a relentless, end-to-end transformation of our people, products, service and more.
They say achieving this recognition required one of the most extensive transformation efforts in the airline’s history.
Fiji Airways says this meant a complete overhaul of the inflight experience, procuring brand new galley and service equipment, building new supply chains for freshly sourced produce, working with local Fiji businesses and manufacturers, both small and large, and introducing an entirely new suite of premium products onboard.
They worked closely with both existing and new caterers and suppliers in Fiji and around the world, expecting them to rise to the same world class standards Fiji Airways was setting for themselves.
The national airline says months were spent developing the Pacific Rim-inspired cuisine and redesigning every part of the service flow, while hundreds of cabin crew underwent up to two weeks of intensive training each, 16 of the best were selected to become World Class Trainers, completing a 10-week program before leading the training across the airline.
They say it was a massive undertaking that required months of preparation, dedication, and teamwork before the very first World Class flight took off.
Managing Director and CEO of Fiji Airways, Andre Viljoen says this recognition is a proud and historic moment for the airline and for Fiji.
Viljoen says in 2016, they were ranked outside the world’s Top 100 airlines, today, through sheer grit, relentless innovation, and the unbreakable spirit of the people, they have risen to be named one of the Top 10 Airlines in the World.
He says this recognition is not just an award, it’s about showing every Fijian, and every member of their team, that they can achieve the impossible, adding they are the David in a world of Goliaths - and they are winning.
The Managing Director says every guest they welcome, they fight for, every route they grow, they defend.
He says to excel, they cannot afford to be ordinary, they need to stand out, to be unmistakably remarkable, and to create an experience so extraordinary that travellers choose Fiji Airways not just for where they fly, but for how they make them feel.
Viljoen says that is why they embarked on the World Class journey, as it required them to lift every part of their airline to a standard that only the world’s best achieve.
He says it gives them a powerful point of difference that no amount of advertising and marketing can buy.
The Managing Director says as they look ahead, Fiji Airways remains focused on constant innovation and raising the bar even higher.
He says today, they celebrate together with their staff, loyal guests, stakeholders, and the nation of Fiji.
Viljoen says Vinaka vakalevu, the world is watching, and they are soaring.
He adds this recognition cements Fiji Airways’ place among the world’s top 10 leaders in hospitality and excellence and shines a global spotlight on Fiji as a premier travel destination.
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