The Aircraft Fleet Of Royal Brunei Airlines

Royal Brunei Airlines, the flag carrier of Brunei, has come a long way since its inception in 1974 with just two Boeing 737-200 aircraft. The airline now boasts a fleet of 12 aircraft, including the Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner and Airbus A320neo, offering passengers a modern and comfortable flying experience. With a focus on long-haul and short-haul flights, Royal Brunei has expanded its reach to over 30 destinations worldwide, connecting Brunei Darussalam to the world.

The Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner

The Dreamliner's composite structure is lighter and more robust, allowing airlines to reduce fuel use and emissions by 25%. This efficiency also enables carriers to open new routes more profitably. The aircraft has opened over 410 new nonstop routes and carried over 900 million passengers on more than 4.5 million flights.

Passengers can enjoy a spacious cabin, improved views through the largest windows available on any commercial jet, and cabin enhancements that ensure they arrive at their destinations feeling refreshed. The windows have five tint settings, allowing passengers to adjust the lighting to their preference. The cabin features improved temperature control and a lower cabin altitude, contributing to a more pleasant journey.

The Dreamliner's advanced technology also benefits airlines, with community noise contained within airport boundaries, meeting all existing regulatory noise limits.

The Business Class seats on the Dreamliner can be converted into a fully flat bed, and each seat features a 15.4-inch touch screen and remote-controlled personal television, as well as an in-seat power outlet. Meanwhile, the Economy Class seats offer a generous 6-inch recline and are equipped with 9-inch touch screens, USB charging capability, and in-seat power outlets.

Airbus A320neo

The Airbus A320neo is part of Royal Brunei's short-haul fleet, offering optimum comfort for brief trips. The A320neo is the world's first narrow-body aircraft fitted with the Thales Avant (Gen5) In-Flight Entertainment System. This system allows passengers to enjoy over 1,000 movies, TV shows, and audio entertainment options on demand.

The A320neo has two seating configurations: Business Class and Economy Class. The former features recliner seats, while the latter includes Economy Preferred seats with extra legroom. The aircraft has AC power ports at every seat in Business Class, while USB power ports are available at every seat throughout the plane. WiFi is also provided, allowing passengers to stream content to their personal devices.

Snacks, full-service meals, and beverages are offered on nearly all Royal Brunei flights. The meals are halal and prepared healthily. Special meals can be requested when making a reservation or by contacting Royal Brunei at least 24 hours before the flight.

Royal Brunei received its first A320neo in May 2018, with plans to expand its short-haul fleet to double digits. The introduction of the A320neo is part of the airline's fleet modernisation program, aiming to pursue further regional growth and improve operational reliability.

Airbus A320ceo

The Airbus A320ceo is one of the planes used by Royal Brunei Airlines for shorter-haul flights. The airline has two of these older aircraft in its fleet, which are currently in storage. The A320ceo has the same 150-seat configuration as the newer A320neo model, with 12 business class seats and 138 standard economy class seats. However, the A320ceo differs in that economy class passengers do not have in-seat power or personal TV screens.

The Airbus A320ceo offers ergonomic seating, reclinable seats, and comfortable legroom. It also has a Business Class cabin equipped with power outlets, personal TVs, and iPad Minis on certain routes. The seat pitch in business class is allegedly 42", with the seats featuring legrests. While the seats don't have built-in entertainment systems, the crew distributes iPads after takeoff, which have movies and TV shows. Each business class seat features a fluffy pillow and a light regional blanket. These seats are recliners, so they are not as modern as other types of business class seats.

The economy class seats feature a 30" seat pitch, with 18 "preferred" seats at the front of the cabin offering 32" pitch. There are also exit row seats available, which offer more space.

Royal Brunei Airlines first added the Airbus A320 to its fleet in 2002 and 2003, along with the Airbus A319. These planes marked the start of the airline's re-equipping exercise, replacing the Boeing 757s.

Boeing 737-200

The Boeing 737-200 is a short-range airliner that has been in service since 1969. It is the most used member of the first generation of the B737 family. The 737-200 is a stretched version of the original 737-100. Production of the 737-200 ceased in 1988, with 1,144 aircraft built and approximately 900 remaining in service in 1999.

The 737-200 is powered by 2 x P&W JT8D-9A (64.5 kN) or Pratt & Whitney JT8D engines. It has a payload capacity of 30,000 lb and can carry up to 119 passengers. The aircraft has a range of 1,540 nautical miles.

The 737-200 was used by Royal Brunei Airlines as its initial fleet when it was established in 1974. The airline was formed with two new 737-200s and its maiden voyage was on 14 May 1975 from the then newly built Brunei International Airport to Singapore. The same day, flights to Hong Kong, Kota Kinabalu, and Kuching commenced. In the early years, Royal Brunei expanded its routes to include Manila in 1976 and Bangkok in 1977. In 1981, the airline acquired a third 737-200, enabling it to reach Kuala Lumpur.

The 737-200 has been involved in several accidents and incidents, including:

• B732, vicinity Puerto Carreño Colombia, 2022
• B732, vicinity Islamabad Pakistan, 2012
• B732, vicinity Resolute Bay Canada, 2011
• B732, vicinity Abuja Nigeria, 2006
• B732, vicinity Washington National DC USA, 1982
• B732, Medan Indonesia, 2005
• AT72 / B732, vicinity Queenstown New Zealand, 1999
• B732, London Gatwick UK, 1993
• B732, Seattle WA USA, 2006
• B732, en-route, Maui Hawaii, 1988
• B732, Manchester UK, 1985

Boeing 757

Royal Brunei Airlines, the flag carrier of Brunei, was established on 18 November 1974 with an initial fleet of two Boeing 737-200s. The airline has since expanded its fleet and currently operates flights to 32 destinations in south-east Asia, the Middle East, Europe, and Oceania.

In the mid-1980s, Royal Brunei Airlines purchased three Boeing 757-200s, enabling the airline to expand its routes to Taipei in 1986 and Dubai in 1988. The Boeing 757-200s were also utilised on existing high-capacity routes, including Singapore, Hong Kong, Bangkok, Jakarta, and Kuala Lumpur. The introduction of the 757-200s led to the phasing out of its smaller sibling aircraft.

The Boeing 757-200s played a crucial role in Royal Brunei Airlines' expansion plans, allowing the airline to serve new destinations and accommodate more passengers on popular routes. With the acquisition of these aircraft, the airline was able to enhance its presence in the region and offer improved connectivity to its customers.

However, as the airline continued to expand rapidly, the 757-200s were eventually phased out and sold to other parties. This decision was made as part of the airline's fleet renewal program, which involved replacing the 757-200s with more modern and efficient aircraft. Despite their eventual replacement, the Boeing 757-200s played a significant role in the growth and development of Royal Brunei Airlines during the 1980s and beyond.

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