Star Alliance: Does Royal Brunei Airlines Belong?

Royal Brunei Airlines, the flag carrier of Brunei, is not a member of Star Alliance, OneWorld Alliance, or SkyTeam Alliance. The airline, established in 1974, is wholly owned by the Government of Brunei and operates to 32 destinations across south-east Asia, the Middle East, Europe, and Oceania. While Royal Brunei Airlines does not belong to any of the three major airline alliances, it does have interline and codeshare partners, including China Eastern Airlines, Myanmar Airways International, and Thai Airways International.

Royal Brunei Airlines is not part of Star Alliance

Royal Brunei Airlines was established on November 18, 1974, with an initial fleet of two Boeing 737-200 aircraft, serving Singapore, Hong Kong, Kota Kinabalu, and Kuching. The airline has since expanded its fleet and now operates in 32 destinations across Southeast Asia, the Middle East, Europe, and Oceania.

Despite not being a member of Star Alliance, Royal Brunei Airlines has interline and codeshare partnerships with other airlines, allowing for seamless travel to a wider range of destinations worldwide. These partnerships include airlines such as China Eastern Airlines, Myanmar Airways International, and Thai Airways International.

In addition, Royal Brunei Airlines has its own frequent-flyer program called "Royal Skies," which allows members to earn miles on eligible flights and redeem them for free flights or seat upgrades. However, as of 2024, the program does not include any airline partners where members can accrue or redeem miles.

Royal Brunei Airlines is wholly owned by the Government of Brunei

Royal Brunei Airlines is not a member of any of the three major global airline alliances: Star Alliance, OneWorld Alliance, or SkyTeam Alliance. However, it does have several interline and codeshare partners, including China Eastern Airlines, Myanmar Airways International, and Thai Airways International. These partnerships allow the airline to offer seamless travel to a wider range of destinations worldwide.

The airline has a frequent-flyer program called Royal Skies, which allows members to earn miles on eligible Royal Brunei flights or through partner organisations. While Royal Skies is not associated with any other major rewards programs, members can earn and redeem miles with partner hotels, such as Hyatt and Meritus.

In addition to its codeshare and rewards partners, Royal Brunei Airlines has agreements with other airlines for specific purposes, such as walkie-talkie and pager usage in Dubai. The airline also has partnerships with financial institutions, such as Standard Chartered Bank (Brunei) and Bank Islam Brunei Darussalam.

Royal Brunei Airlines' in-flight services reflect the values of the Bruneian government. The airline does not serve alcoholic beverages on board, but non-Muslim passengers are permitted to bring their own alcohol for consumption during the flight. All inflight meals served are halal.

The airline has its own frequent-flyer programme, Royal Skies

Royal Brunei Airlines is not a member of Star Alliance, OneWorld Alliance, or SkyTeam Alliance. However, the airline has its own frequent-flyer programme, Royal Skies, which was launched in May 2003. Royal Skies is a loyalty programme that offers three membership tiers: Blue, Silver, and Gold. Unlike the Blue card, the Silver and Gold cards have an expiry date, after which members must re-qualify for the Elite tier to retain their benefits.

Miles accrued by members of Royal Skies can be redeemed for free flights or seat upgrades. A free upgrade award starts from 5,000 Royal Skies miles, while redemption for a free flight starts from 15,000 miles. These miles can be earned on every eligible Royal Brunei Airlines flight or by using the products and services of Royal Skies partners.

Royal Skies has several partners, including Hyatt Hotels & Resorts, Royal Plaza on Scotts, High Frequency Lifestyle Café, Alter Ego Fusion Cafe, Iskandar Curry House, Standard Chartered Bank (Brunei), and Bank Islam Brunei Darussalam.

Royal Brunei Airlines has codeshare agreements with other airlines

Royal Brunei Airlines is not part of Star Alliance, OneWorld Alliance, or SkyTeam Alliance. However, it does have codeshare agreements with several other airlines, allowing it to offer scheduled services across Asia, the Middle East, Australia, and the United Kingdom.

Royal Brunei Airlines has codeshare agreements with the following airlines:

• China Eastern Airlines
• Myanmar Airways International
• Thai Airways International

These codeshare agreements allow Royal Brunei Airlines to provide seamless travel to a wider range of destinations worldwide, enhancing their route network and accessibility for passengers.

In addition to these codeshare partners, Royal Brunei Airlines also has interline agreements with other airlines. Interline agreements allow for smooth connections and ticket purchases between different airlines, further expanding travel options for passengers.

By leveraging these codeshare and interline partnerships, Royal Brunei Airlines can offer its customers greater flexibility and convenience when planning their journeys. These agreements enable the airline to provide a more extensive network of destinations and improve connectivity, especially in the regions it serves.

The airline does not serve alcoholic beverages on board

Royal Brunei Airlines is not a member of Star Alliance, OneWorld Alliance, or SkyTeam Alliance. However, the airline does have several interline and codeshare partners, including China Eastern Airlines, Myanmar Airways International, and Thai Airways International.

While Royal Brunei Airlines does not serve alcoholic beverages on board, non-Muslim passengers are permitted to bring their own alcohol for consumption during the flight. This policy reflects the Bruneian government's stance on the sale and importation of alcohol within the country. All inflight meals served are halal.

The decision to not serve alcohol on board is likely influenced by the cultural and religious values of the country. Brunei is a predominantly Muslim country, and the consumption of alcohol is generally not permitted in Islam. By not serving alcohol, the airline aligns with the values and beliefs of a large portion of its local customer base.

Additionally, the airline's fleet and route network have expanded over the years. Royal Brunei Airlines now operates flights to 32 destinations across Southeast Asia, the Middle East, Europe, and Oceania. The airline has also introduced modern aircraft, such as the Boeing 787 and Airbus A320, to enhance the travel experience for its passengers.

In conclusion, while Royal Brunei Airlines is not a part of the major airline alliances, it has established codeshare and interline partnerships to expand its reach. The airline's decision to not serve alcoholic beverages on board is a reflection of the cultural and religious context of the country, and passengers are allowed to bring their own alcohol if they wish to consume it during the flight.

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