Why we start our Fiji holiday in Air New Zealand Business Premier

For us, the holiday starts at check-in. When the fare makes sense, we try to book Air New Zealand Business Premier to Fiji: the attentive service and calmer start are part of the trip we are paying for.

Our take

When we price flights for peak school holidays, the premium has sometimes felt reasonable compared with the other fares available on the same dates. It is worth comparing the full family cost for your exact flights; this is our experience, not a claim that business class is always good value.

What makes it worthwhile for us

Across the business-class flights we have taken, the crew have been consistently attentive and the drinks selection excellent. We have had no reason to fault the service. Arriving relaxed, rather than needing to recover from the journey, is worth something to us.

Our approach to meals

I am pescatarian and our ten-year-old is a selective eater. On our flights, we have found delicious choices on the standard menu for both of us, so we usually do not preselect special meals. That preserves the choice of the onboard menu, which we enjoy.

We would approach it differently for an allergy, an infant or toddler, or any dietary need that requires a particular meal. Air New Zealand's meal guidance says options vary by flight, children's meals on selected flights need to be requested in advance, and special meal requests should be made at least 24 hours before travel. Check the options for your own service rather than relying on what worked for us.

Before you book

Compare the fare difference for all travellers on your dates and check the cabin offered on each flight. If the premium is within your holiday budget, we think the calmer start and consistently good service can be worth paying for. This is an account of our booking preferences and experiences across several flights, rather than a review of a particular aircraft or seat.

This is a personal account of our family travel, not a review of every Air New Zealand flight. Menus, fares, seats and service can vary.