Review: Air Niugini in Economy with Kids

Are you planning to travel on Air Niugini and want to know what to expect?

When we decided to travel to Hong Kong from Brisbane, Australia, the Air Niugini flights were by far the cheapest. We went back and forth, reading terrible reviews about Air Niugini flights and how they are often delayed and canceled.

In addition to the poor reviews, flying Air Niugini from Brisbane to Hong Kong included a stop in Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea. In our case, the stopover was overnight.

Even so, the flight, including an overnight stop, was still our most budget-friendly option. We weighed our pros and cons, decided to risk it, and flew with Air Niugini from Brisbane to Hong Kong with a stopover in Port Moresby.

You know what? Our flights were both on time. We were fed on both flights, which is extremely rare on airplanes these days. The seats had TVs in them. Our hotel in Port Moresby was lovely and the people couldn’t have been nicer. We had a wonderful experience flying Air Niugini.

Of course, your miles may vary. All airlines get delayed. Flights get canceled. But, if you are wondering what it is like onboard an Air Niguini flight with kids in the economy section, keep reading to see my review.

Air Niugini Economy Seating

On our Air Nugini flight from Brisbane to Port Moresby, the seating arrangement was 2-3-2. As a family of 4, we opted to sit 2 and 2.

In full disclosure, this photo was taken after the flight, so the pillows and seats are a bit messy. They were nice and neat when boarding, with a pillow on each seat. This photo is also the front row of the economy section. Each other economy row has a seat in front of them and information in the seat pocket.

The seats were as comfortable as you would expect from an economy seat, and the seatbelts were long.

One thing that is different about the Air Niugini flight is the small overhead storage. Though we were traveling with carry-on luggage, we checked it before the flight. Most bags need to be checked. Those who did not check their bag when arriving at the airport had to check them at the gate.

Another thing I noticed was there were not air-conditioning buttons above the seats. We could adjust our lights, but not the temperature.

Air Niugini On Board Entertainment

The flight attendants handed out headphones shortly after we sat down, and there are TVs in the seat backs.

As is common on international flights, we could watch TV shows or movies, watch the map of where we were, play games, or listen to music.

While there are both old and new options for entertainment on board Air Niugini, there are limited options. I managed to keep myself slightly entertained the entire flight, but I never found anything I really wanted to watch.

Air Niugini Meal Service Brisbane to Port Moresby

When planning this flight, we weren’t expecting to be fed. Air Niugini is a budget airline (right? I am not entirely sure).

I was looking up entertainment options one day, assuming there would be none, and saw that we would be fed. I figured it was for the longer flight, but we ended up getting meal service on both flights.

Whenever we have meal service, I always special order a kid’s meal. My kids are 9 and 10 and we all know airplane food is not the best. By ordering them a special meal, I double the chance that they will be able to eat something.

The flight from Brisbane to Port Moresby is about 3 hours. An hour in, the kid’s meal was served. It was a shepherd’s pie, potato salad, a roll with butter, orange juice, and a dessert.

Following the kid’s meal service was drink service and them the adult meals were served. Adults had a choice of chicken or beef.

The chicken meal was a teriyaki chicken with noodles and bok choy while the beef option included mashed potatoes and veggies. Both adult meal trays included a cold veggie pasta salad, roll with butter, and a chocolate mousse bar.

While the cutlery was disposable, nothing else was. The plates, bowls, and cups were all reusable.

After the meal service, the flight attendants come around with tea and coffee.

Air Niugini Meal Service Port Moresby to Hong Kong

On our flight from Port Moresby to Hong Kong, the same formula was kept in regards to meal service. About an hour in, the kid’s meals were served. Then, drink service followed by adult meal service.

The kid’s meal was sausages with ketchup, veggies, and potatoes. Their tray also had a roll with butter, pasta salad, apple juice, and chocolate cake.

Adults could choose between fish or ham. The fish came with rice and veggies while the ham included pineapples, veggies, and potatoes. Both adult meal trays had salad, a roll with butter, and chocolate cake.

Again, the bowls, plates, and cups were reusable while the cutlery was disposable.

Layover in Port Moresby

Port Moresby Airport Arrival

As I mentioned, it was cheaper for us to have an overnight layover in Port Moresby, so we stayed for slightly less than 24 hours.

Getting through customs was quick and easy. It is the first place I have ever traveled to (and I have been to more than 60 countries) where there are far more people in the citizen’s line than the visitor’s line.

We needed a visa to enter Papua New Guinea, using both USA and Australian passports. We got them in advance, so we could enter the line of those with visas. If you do not have a visa, there is a line to get one.

After baggage claim, there is one long line to hand over your customs paperwork before exiting the airport.

We didn’t see any taxis in the international terminal. It appeared that each hotel had a shuttle. I did see many taxis at the domestic terminal the next day, so if you need a taxi, they are easy to find.

Our Port Moresby Layover

We opted to stay at The Stanley, which is located just a few minutes from the airport. They sent a van to pick us up.

The Stanley is attached to a shopping mall and also has multiple restaurants and shops as well as a gym, spa, and swimming pool.

We arrived on Christmas Eve, in time for dinner. We opted to go to the shopping mall for dinner. Despite it being Christmas Eve, or maybe because of it, the mall was very crowded. We ended up getting a small meal from the grocery store and attached bakery.

Our hotel has a breakfast buffet, so we enjoyed a Christmas day buffet before going for a swim. Had it not been Christmas, I would have liked to check out the PNG National Museum and Art Gallery.

The kids were happy to spend the day at the pool. We got a late check-out and then went back to the shopping mall to get a meal before our flight to Hong Kong.

The mall opened late for Christmas. We were allowed in a few minutes before the public, as we were coming from the hotel. We noticed there were metal detectors to enter, and again, the mall was extremely crowded even though it was Christmas day.

Port Moresby International Airport

Port Moresby Airport is small, and check-in went quickly for us.

Once we passed customs and security, we just sat and waited for our flight, but there were multiple shops and restaurants.

Past security at the international section of Port Moresby Airport, there are cafes, a bar, coffee shops, and a frozen yogurt juice bar. There are lots of food and drink options.

In addition to duty free, there are a few local shops where you can purchase souvenirs.

Traveling Air Niuguini Economy with Kids Wrap-Up

While we were both initially nervous to fly on Air Niugini, we couldn’t fault the experience at all. Our flights were on time. The seats were comfortable. We received meal service. Our bags arrived on time. There was in seat entertainment. Everything that you can want in a flight, we got on our Air Niugini flight.

I would fly with Air Niugini again.

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