Flying short-haul business is a different proposition to long-haul. But despite the absence of lie-flat seats and private suites, it still gives you the chance to stretch out more comfortably than you otherwise would and start your holiday a little earlier. It’s no different in Air Vanuatu’s business class offering, notwithstanding a couple of shortcomings, as Mark Harada finds out.
Air Vanuatu serves three Aussie airports: Sydney, Brisbane and Melbourne. That’s not bad considering the airline’s fleet consists of just one (very busy) jet, which it uses for all three ports (though Solomon Airlines and Nauru Airlines operate one weekly BNE-VLI flight each on behalf of NF).
So while this review tests the Port Vila (VLI) to Sydney service, we reckon it would also be a good guide for Air Vanuatu’s VLI-BNE and even VLI-MEL services. Here’s Mark Harada’s verdict…
On the ground
Only one couple is checking in at NF’s business class line at Port Vila International, so there’s virtually no wait. When I’m served, I’m issued my boarding pass in what could be record time: literally within one minute.The service comes with a friendly smile too, in true ni-Vanuatu style.
The economy line is obviously longer, but get to the airport early (and I get that is an ask when the flight departs at 7.20am), and you’ll at least be rewarded with a spot at the front of the queue – and by the looks of it, zip through just as quickly.
The lounge
Air Vanuatu business class passengers have access to a small lounge at Port Vila Airport, which is a comfortable enough space to while away the time before boarding. But it is no-frills, with only a small selection of cold drinks on offer and no food (though there is a small kitchenette attached to the lounge, so I suspect food is served during the busier afternoon period).
Virtually empty for the whole time I’m there, the lounge is operated by Airports Vanuatu and not the national carrier.
Onboard comfort
Amid ocean blue branding and cabin crew attire, my leather seat in the front row of the plane offers a cosy ride for the roughly four-hour service to Sydney. At 21 inches wide, it offers ample wriggle room and a manual recline (if you need one for a short flight).
A nice adjustable headrest and wide armrests add to the comfort. I’m also given a small pillow and blanket. Storage space is a standard overhead bin, which provides plenty of space.
Food and fun
Delivered by typically friendly ni-Vanuatu staff, the business class service begins with some apple juice or water before take-off.
A fragrant hot towel precedes a hot fragrant (vegan) meal of soft capsicum, a vegetable I assume is spinach but turns out to be a root plant (taro leaves?), a rosti-like hash brown (which while not crispy, is very good) and a few tasty corn fritters.
To finish, there are some grapes, cold orange slices and berries that remain a mystery (anyone familiar with the pictured berries?). An offer of tea, coffee and juice rounds out an altogether enjoyable meal.
Given this is an early morning departure, there’s no offer of alcoholic beverages.
For entertainment, there isn’t much to keep me busy. But the airline does intend to soon resume streaming inflight entertainment to flyers’ devices. Until then, there’s only the Island Spirit magazine, which is a decent read, a drop-down screen showing the flight map/details and whatever flyers choose to bring on board themselves.
Air Vanuatu hasn’t been without its challenges over the past few months, but the carrier delivers a pretty nice service to a very nice destination. It also often offers great, discounted fares to Port Vila. I look forward to seeing what the future brings for the airline.
The details:
- Aircraft: Boeing B737-800 (Six years old)
- Flight number: NF10 (Monday)
- Class: Business
- Seat 1A (window)
- Configuration: 2-2
- Frequency: Five times per week
- Departure 7.20 am (to the minute!)
- Arrival 10.05 am (10 minutes early)
The writer travelled to Vanuatu as a guest of the Vanuatu Tourism Office.
