A Fiji Airways 737 ventured far from home over the weekend, flying to Darlington Airport in Yorkshire, England. For over two decades, the plane, DQ-FJF, sported Fiji Airway’s distinctive livery. But over the weekend, the leased aircraft was returned to its owners. It was a long flight, taking nearly two days and involving three stops along the way.

DQ-FJF went to Fiji Airways in 1998. But back then, the airline was called Air Pacific, and the plane featured the bright yellow, blues, and reds of that branding. It was the first Boeing 737 New Generation plane to join the Nadi-based airline. Fiji Airways also says DQ-FJF was the first 737 New Generation aircraft to get based in the southern hemisphere. //

That leaves Fiji Airways with just four Boeing 737s. All of them sit parked. Fiji Airways is a small airline with just 12 jets in its fleet. Only two of them are now flying; an Airbus A330 and an Airbus A350 XWB. Usually, Fiji Airways might be looking to replace or keep DQ-FJF. But in this environment, returning the plane to its owners means the airline has one less plane to maintain and now saves on the costs with doing so.

But after so long, and with such a small fleet, sending a plane back is always a bit sad. DQ-FJF was a plane many of us had taken a ride on over the years, and it served Fiji Airways well.