A faster three hour hop opens a new travel chapter between Fiji and one of Australia’s favourite coastal cities
Sun, surf and a familiar Pacific warmth have long linked Fiji and the Gold Coast. Soon, the journey between the two will be just as relaxed.
Fiji Airways will launch a new direct service between Nadi and the Gold Coast on Thursday June 11 2026, operating three times a week and cutting out the need for a stopover. The flight time will be just over three hours, making travel between Fiji and one of Australia’s most popular coastal destinations noticeably easier.
For travellers on both sides of the Pacific, this is the kind of change that reshapes how trips are planned. Less time navigating airports. Less time waiting between connections. More time spent where it actually matters. Whether it is a family visit, a business trip or a quick holiday escape, the experience becomes simpler and far more appealing.
The new route will operate every Monday, Thursday and Saturday using Fiji Airways’ Boeing 737 MAX 8 aircraft. Across the year, it adds more than 53,000 seats into the market, expanding capacity and giving travellers more choice as demand for Pacific travel continues to grow.
While Australians have long embraced Fiji as a favourite holiday destination, the Gold Coast service also carries special significance for Fijians. The region has deep personal and professional ties to Fiji, with strong family connections, education pathways and business links. Until now, reaching the Gold Coast has usually meant transiting through another city. A direct flight changes the rhythm of that journey entirely.
Fiji Airways managing director and chief executive officer Paul Scurrah described the Gold Coast as a natural fit for the airline’s expanding Australian network. He pointed to the city’s rapid population growth, thriving tourism sector and growing importance as a hub for global events, noting that the new service strengthens ties between Fiji and Australia while opening up opportunities for inbound and outbound travel.
He also spoke about the experience onboard, highlighting Fiji Airways’ commitment to pairing award winning service with the genuine warmth and care Fiji is known for. As the airline continues its vision of becoming the world’s happiest airline, bringing that spirit to the Gold Coast felt like a natural extension of Fiji’s identity.
On arrival, travellers can expect a smoother experience too. Gold Coast Airport chief executive officer Amelia Evans welcomed the new route, saying it strengthens the long standing bond between Fiji and the Gold Coast. She noted how popular Fiji already is with Australian travellers and how the new service makes that next island getaway even easier.
Evans also highlighted the appeal of arriving at the Gold Coast compared to larger capital city airports, describing it as a more relaxed and efficient entry point. For many visitors, she said, the holiday begins the moment they land.
The new service also supports the Gold Coast’s growing role as a major destination for leisure, business events and film production. With the Brisbane 2032 Olympic Games driving significant infrastructure investment across Southeast Queensland, inbound travel demand is expected to rise steadily in the years ahead. Direct access from Fiji positions the Gold Coast well for that growth.
Queensland Tourism Minister Andrew Powell said the route forms part of a broader strategy to better connect Queensland with the world. Supported through the Connecting Queensland Fund, the Fiji Gold Coast service opens new pathways for travellers arriving via Nadi from the United States and Canada. He noted the economic impact is expected to flow directly to local cafes, hotels and experience operators, while also supporting more than 100 direct jobs.
For Fiji Airways, the Gold Coast becomes its seventh destination in Australia and the fourth where travellers previously needed to make a one stop journey. The new route strengthens the airline’s competitive position as travel across the Pacific continues to rebound and evolve.
To mark the launch, Fiji Airways has released special introductory return Lite Economy fares from Fiji to the Gold Coast, starting from $799 FJD. These fares are available until December 31 2025, for travel between June 11 and November 30 2026, subject to availability and conditions.
Flight schedules have been designed with convenience in mind. Departures from Nadi leave in the morning, arriving on the Gold Coast before midday, while return flights depart early afternoon and land back in Fiji in the early evening.
More than just a new route, the announcement reflects Fiji’s continued reconnection with the region. It is about smoother journeys, closer relationships and travel that feels enjoyable again.
From June 2026, the Gold Coast is no longer a stopover away. It is a direct flight, and an open invitation.
*Story curated and published by EXPLORE Fiji – connecting people, place, and culture.
Source: Fiji Airways.
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