Along with passengers onboard the Fiji Airways inaugural flight to  San Francisco  on Thursday night, was seven-year-old dog Sola and his owner Subhas Chandra.

Upon landing in San Francisco, Mr Chandra’s nephew, Ranjit Raju who also travelled with them told Fiji Sun via a video call, that he had been travelling from Fiji to San Francisco and vice-versa since 1995.

“For me personally it was an exciting flight, I have lived in San Francisco since 1995, so getting on a flight direct to San Francisco was special to me,” Mr Raju said.

Mr Chandra said he was glad he got on board the direct flight since Sola travelled more comfortably unlike a connecting flight.

“It wasn’t that expensive and the process was straight forward, I wouldn’t travel without Sola and having a direct flight to San Francisco saved Sola from facing any trouble of any sort,” Mr Chandra said.

“We got champagne as soon as we got settled on board and the journey was good and an exciting one,” Mr Raju said.

“It used to take me 20 hours to get to San Francisco before and now it’s only 11 hours.”

Mr Raju said his trip to San Francisco was easier for his future travels now that he had a direct flight.

“Most Fijians in the United States live in San Francisco, Sacramento, Stockton, Modesto area; and it is easier for older folks as Los Angeles airport can be intimidating because it’s so big,” Mr Raju said.

Edited by Rusiate Mataika

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