Join Royal Brunei Airlines: Your Dream Aviation Career

Royal Brunei Airlines is an attractive employer for several reasons. Firstly, it is the flag carrier of Brunei and serves around 30 destinations across Asia, the Middle East, Australia, Europe, and Oceania. The airline has a strong presence in the region and provides good career opportunities for those interested in the aviation industry. Secondly, the company has a good reputation for its customer service and in-flight experience, with awards from the Airline Passenger Experience Association (APEX) and the World's Leading Cabin Crew. This suggests that working for the company could provide a positive and rewarding work environment. Thirdly, Royal Brunei Airlines offers a range of benefits to its employees, including annual performance-based increments and opportunities for international travel. The company also provides a platform for professional growth and development, making it an attractive choice for individuals seeking a career in the aviation industry.

International route expansion and network growth

Royal Brunei Airlines has demonstrated a strong commitment to expanding its international route network and growing its presence in the aviation industry. The airline's history is marked by a series of strategic expansions and adjustments to its flight routes, reflecting its dynamic approach to staying competitive in the market.

One of the earliest examples of Royal Brunei Airlines' international route expansion was in the 1980s, shortly after Brunei gained independence from the United Kingdom. The airline quickly moved to establish connections with other ASEAN capital cities, adding Jakarta to its network in 1984, thus connecting all five capitals at the time: Bangkok, Jakarta, Kuala Lumpur, Manila, and Singapore.

The airline continued its expansion with the acquisition of Boeing 757-200s, enabling them to extend their reach to Taipei in 1986 and Dubai in 1988. This expansion demonstrated their recognition of the importance of the Middle Eastern market and their ambition to cater to it.

In the 1990s, Royal Brunei Airlines took a significant step towards international expansion by commencing its first flight to Europe. Services to Frankfurt am Main via Bangkok and Dubai began in 1990, marking a pivotal moment in the airline's history. This was followed by the addition of London Gatwick Airport to their network in the same year, showcasing their commitment to serving the European market.

The rapid expansion continued with the introduction of Boeing 767s to their fleet, breaking a world record with the delivery of the first one, which flew non-stop from Seattle to Nairobi. This period also saw the addition of Abu Dhabi, Bali, Zurich, Beijing, and Cairo to their route network, further solidifying their international presence.

In the 2000s, Royal Brunei Airlines continued to adjust and expand its network, adding Kuwait in 2000 and Shanghai in 2001. However, they also made strategic decisions to suspend certain routes, such as Beijing and Osaka, in 1998 due to unprofitability.

The appointment of Peter Foster as CEO in 2002 brought about a significant restructuring phase. The plan included expanding the fleet and adding new services to Auckland, Ho Chi Minh City, Sydney, Seoul, and Tokyo. This restructuring demonstrated the airline's commitment to growth and adaptability to market demands.

More recently, in 2018, the expansion of the 787 fleet provided an opportunity for Royal Brunei Airlines to resume long-haul growth. The addition of a fifth 787-8 to their fleet and the improvement of the runway surface at Bandar Seri Begawan opened up possibilities for nonstop flights to London, enhancing their position in the Melbourne-London market and other sixth freedom markets.

The airline has also expressed interest in resuming expansion in Australia, considering the use of their new A320neo fleet or the fifth 787 to relaunch flights to Brisbane. This reflects their ongoing strategy to balance long-haul and short-haul operations while seeking profitable opportunities in the competitive aviation industry.

Customer service and satisfaction

Royal Brunei Airlines is committed to providing excellent customer service and ensuring customer satisfaction. As an employee, contributing to this goal would be a key part of your role. The company views its employees as its greatest assets and encourages them to bring their talents, interests, and ideas on board. This means that you would have the freedom to develop your own career path and put your own stamp on the customer service and satisfaction function.

Royal Brunei Airlines also values diversity in the workplace and a passion for serving customers. As the National Carrier of Brunei Darussalam, the company promotes the values that symbolise the "Abode of Peace". Working as part of a diverse team, you would be expected to embody these values in your interactions with customers.

The company's commitment to customer service is evident in its handling of the COVID-19 pandemic. Royal Brunei Airlines provided clear guidelines and support to customers affected by travel restrictions, offering refunds or rebooking options. The company also maintained multiple customer service channels, including a physical location, a call centre, and an online form, to ensure that customers could easily reach out for assistance.

By joining Royal Brunei Airlines, you would become an integral part of delivering on the company's promise of customer service and satisfaction. You would have the opportunity to work with a dynamic and professional team, contributing your unique skills and experiences to enhance the customer experience. Whether it's through direct interactions with customers, process improvements, or innovative ideas, you can make a meaningful impact on ensuring customer satisfaction and loyalty.

Overall, working for Royal Brunei Airlines in the area of customer service and satisfaction would offer a rewarding opportunity to contribute to the company's values and goals, while also allowing you to develop personally and professionally in a diverse and passionate team.

In-flight experience and amenities

Royal Brunei Airlines offers a range of in-flight amenities to enhance the comfort and convenience of its passengers. The airline's in-flight experience is characterised by its attention to detail, ensuring that travellers have a pleasant journey from beginning to end.

In Business Class, passengers are treated to a luxurious experience. The spacious cabin features 18 seats with ample legroom, and the configuration includes three rows of seats across the cabin, with pairs by each window and in the middle. The colour scheme is elegant and understated, with dark seats and flooring. The crew's attentive service begins with hot towels and fresh juice, and passengers are addressed by name, adding a personalised touch.

The Business Class amenity kit is a nice touch, presented in a stylish brown fabric toiletry bag. It includes an eye mask, socks, a toothbrush, toothpaste, and luxury HARNN toiletry miniatures such as lip balm and body soufflé.

In-flight dining in Business Class is a highlight, with delicious meals that rival those served in restaurants. The presentation is impeccable, with meals served on china crockery, complete with proper cutlery, salt and pepper pots, and glassware. The food itself is a culinary delight, with options like smoked salmon rillettes with apple dressing, braised kalio beef with turmeric-infused vegetables and mustard seeds, and cheese and biscuits. Breakfast is equally impressive, featuring fresh fruit, a selection of rolls and pastries, and a choice of hot dishes.

For entertainment, Business Class passengers enjoy access to the Panasonic eX2 in-flight entertainment system, featuring a range of movies, TV shows, music, and games. Noise-cancelling headphones enhance the audio experience, and a USB charging point ensures devices stay charged.

While Economy Class may not offer the same level of luxury as Business Class, it still provides a comfortable and pleasant experience. The seats are spacious, with semi-articulating recline functionality, adjustable headrests, and ample legroom. Passengers can snuggle up with blankets and pillows, making it easier to get some rest during the flight.

The in-flight dining in Economy Class is acceptable, with meals like chicken biryani and a sandwich and juice for shorter flights. Entertainment-wise, Economy Class offers the same range of options as Business Class, with individual touch-screen monitors, noise-cancelling headphones, and USB charging ports.

Overall, Royal Brunei Airlines excels in its in-flight experience and amenities, ensuring that passengers have a comfortable and enjoyable journey, regardless of their class of travel. The attention to detail, from the elegant colour schemes to the personalised service, sets Royal Brunei Airlines apart and makes it a desirable choice for travellers seeking a memorable flying experience.

Company restructuring and performance

Royal Brunei Airlines (RB) has undergone several restructurings since its establishment in 1974, with the most notable being the five-year restructuring process between 2011 and 2016. This overhaul was in response to heavy losses incurred by the airline, and it involved rebranding, service enhancements, and a simplification of the flight network and fleet. The restructuring was well-timed as it coincided with the Southeast Asian region becoming the most competitive aviation market globally.

The plan aimed to grow RB's fleet from nine to twenty-four aircraft in a ten-year period, from 2003 to 2013. The fleet composition was to change from six Boeing 767s to fifteen new narrow-body aircraft and eight wide-body aircraft, with half of the new aircraft being leased and the other half purchased. The restructuring also included new services to Auckland, Ho Chi Minh City, Sydney, Seoul, and Tokyo, as well as increased frequencies on other routes.

During the 2011-2016 restructuring, RB dropped five routes: Auckland, Brisbane, Ho Chi Minh City, Kuching, and Perth. However, Ho Chi Minh City was added back to the network in 2014, along with Bali. As of 2016, RB's fleet consisted of four B787-8s, four Airbus 320s, and two Airbus 319s. The airline also leased two current-engine-option A320s until 2023 to facilitate the transition to newer aircraft models.

The introduction of the Boeing 787-8 and Airbus A320 aircraft played a significant role in RB's performance and competitiveness. The B787-8, with its lie-flat business-class seats and higher premium seat capacity, enhanced RB's positioning as a "boutique" carrier. The A320s, with their increased seating capacity, particularly in business class, contributed to the airline's focus on quality and premium services.

In terms of financial performance, RB has seen improvements following the restructuring and fleet upgrades. Inbound traffic increased by 8.6% year-on-year to 218,000 arrivals in 2015. With its newer fleet, improved technology, and streamlined network, RB aims to break even or achieve profitability by 2021.

Employee experience and career development

Royal Brunei Airlines (RB) is the national flag carrier airline of Brunei Darussalam, operating mainly to South-East Asia, Australasia and Europe. As a government-owned company, RB is committed to taking care of its customers, stakeholders and employees, recognising its staff as its greatest assets.

RB offers diverse career opportunities, from cadet pilot training to senior revenue management analyst roles. The company encourages employees to develop their own career paths, working alongside professional and dynamic colleagues.

For instance, RB's cadet pilot programme, introduced in 1980, has seen trainees go on to receive their captaincy. The company also offers positions such as Senior Revenue Management Analyst in its Revenue Management team, as well as Vice President of Sales.

RB provides a highly competitive remuneration package, tailored for expatriates seeking a peaceful and family-oriented lifestyle in Brunei Darussalam, where the cost of living is significantly low. The "TAX FREE" package includes cash and non-cash elements, such as a generous leave allowance.

Specific benefits for A320 Captains and First Officers include:

• Accommodation allowances
• Education assistance allowance for up to three children studying locally and/or overseas
• 48 calendar days of leave entitlement per year
• Medical leave entitlement of 14 days per calendar year, with outpatient and hospitalisation reimbursement available for spouses and children
• Loss of License Insurance, Group Personal Accident & Travel Insurance, Group Hospital & Surgery Insurance, and Workmen’s Compensation Insurance
• Preferential rates for additional coverage of spouse and children
• Staff travel benefits
• Contract and school passage benefits
• Interest-free car loan (with a maximum repayment period of 36 months)
• Gratuity payout upon completion of contract, amounting to 25% of basic salary and expatriate allowance

RB also offers employees the chance to be part of a diverse team, promoting the values of the "Abode of Peace" as the National Carrier of Brunei Darussalam. The company fosters a collaborative and passionate work environment, as evidenced by their #TeamRB hashtag.

With a focus on employee development and a range of benefits, RB presents attractive career opportunities for aspiring aviation professionals.

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