Fiji Airways Just Launched a New Flight Route That Brings Visitors to the ‘Gateway of the Great Barrier Reef’

• Fiji Airways has launched a new route to Cairns, Australia from Nadi, Fiji.
• Cairns is known as the “gateway to the Great Barrier Reef” due to its proximity to the Coral Sea. 
• When combined with recently launched service from Dallas/Fort Worth, Texas, the travel time to visit the Great Barrier Reef is shortened for U.S.-based travelers. 

It just got easier to visit the Great Barrier Reef. 

Fiji Airways recently launched a new service from Nadi, Fiji to Cairns, Australia, which is the nearby access airport for travelers visiting the Great Barrier Reef.

The airline called the new route a “game changer” in a statement to Travel + Leisure, as it is the first time Fiji Airways will connect the two destinations, and travelers now have easier access to a part of Australia known for its diving, snorkeling, and hiking. 

The 4-hour and 55-minute flight operates as nonstop service on a Boeing 737 Max 8. The route is scheduled for three times a week on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays. 

Located at the northeast corner of Australia in Queensland, Cairns is a popular destination for travelers who want to explore the Coral Sea and surrounding coastal areas. The town is recognized as the “gateway to the Great Barrier Reef” due to the proximity to the reefs and well-built ecosystem of tour operators who can support travelers in their quest for undersea adventure. 

The Great Barrier Reef was recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1981. The vast underwater ecosystem is home to more than 400 types of coral and 1,500 species of fish, according to UNESCO.

The region is also home to 54 different trails, which have received more than 6,000 positive reviews on the outdoor enthusiast website AllTrails. The top-rated hike is the 4.3-mile Glacier Rock Lookout, followed by the Earl Hill trail which navigates through the rainforest and a nearby beach.  

Fiji Airways coordinated the flight schedule to Cairns to match that of the newly launched service from Dallas/Fort Worth, Texas (DFW) to Fiji. This makes it easier for travelers to visit Cairns with the layover in Fiji, and they can even stay in Fiji longer if booked with a long layover. 

“We’re thrilled to provide faster one-stop connections to North America,” Fiji Airways CEO and managing director Andre Viljoen said in a statement shared with T+L. “Plus, our full oneworld membership and AAdvantage travel rewards program unlock even more benefits for frequent flyers including lounge access, priority boarding, and earning and redeeming miles across the extensive oneworld network.”

Travelers have shared their enthusiasm for Cairns—where notable attractions include Palm Cove, Daintree Rainforest, and the coastal reefs—in a Reddit thread.