Royal Brunei's Cheap Fares: What's The Catch?

Royal Brunei Airlines is known for offering cheap flights to Europe and other destinations. However, some passengers have complained about the quality of the service, including uncomfortable seats, lack of entertainment, and delays. Despite this, others have praised the airline for its friendly staff, comfortable business class, and affordable prices.

Royal Brunei Airlines offers affordable prices for its flights

There are several reasons why Royal Brunei Airlines can offer such competitive pricing. Firstly, the airline is owned by the government of Brunei, a predominantly Muslim country, which means there is no alcohol served on board. This can be a significant cost-saving measure for the airline. Additionally, Royal Brunei Airlines operates a fleet of Boeing 787 Dreamliners, which are known for their fuel efficiency and lower operating costs compared to other aircraft.

The airline also has a unique feature where passengers can bring their own alcohol for personal consumption, which can further reduce costs for travellers. However, it is important to note that there have been mixed reviews about the overall flight experience with Royal Brunei Airlines. Some travellers have mentioned issues with seat comfort, entertainment, and delays, which are important considerations when choosing an airline.

Despite these mixed reviews, Royal Brunei Airlines has also received positive feedback for its friendly and helpful staff, spacious seats, and decent food options. The airline's business class has been praised for its excellent service, comfortable seats, and tasty food, making it a good option for those seeking a more premium experience at a competitive price.

Overall, Royal Brunei Airlines offers a combination of affordability, comfort, and service that makes it a compelling choice for travellers, especially those looking for a budget-friendly option without compromising on quality.

The airline is owned by the government of Brunei, a predominantly Muslim country, and therefore serves no alcohol on its flights

The airline industry in Brunei is heavily subsidized by the government, which allows Royal Brunei to offer competitive prices. One of the most notable features of the airline is its policy regarding the service of alcohol on board, or rather, the lack thereof. The airline is owned by the government of Brunei, a small country on the island of Borneo with a predominantly Muslim population. Islam is the official religion of Brunei, and the country adheres to Sharia law, which prohibits the consumption of alcohol. As a result, Royal Brunei does not serve alcohol on any of its flights.

This decision is in line with the religious beliefs and practices of its owners and a large majority of its passengers. It is worth noting that the airline's no-alcohol policy is not a recent development or a cost-cutting measure; it has been in place since the airline's inception. The decision to not serve alcohol is a way to respect the religious beliefs of its home country and its passengers. It is also worth mentioning that the absence of alcohol on board does not equate to a lack of hospitality or quality service.

Royal Brunei is known for its warm and friendly cabin crew, who provide a high standard of service and hospitality, ensuring a comfortable journey for all passengers. The airline also offers a range of non-alcoholic beverages, including fresh juices, soft drinks, and traditional Bruneian drinks, as well as a selection of delicious halal meals. In fact, the absence of alcohol can be seen as a positive for many passengers who may appreciate a more peaceful and relaxed environment during their flight, free from the potential negative consequences of alcohol consumption, such as loud and disruptive behavior.

Additionally, the cost savings from not serving alcohol can be passed on to passengers in the form of lower fares, contributing to the overall affordability of the airline.

Royal Brunei Airlines operates Boeing 787 Dreamliners on its Melbourne to London route

The Melbourne to London route includes stops in Bandar Seri Begawan, Brunei, and Dubai for refuelling. The journey time is comparable to one-stop flights via the Middle East, with the added benefit of significantly cheaper fares. For example, a traveller shared that their Melbourne-London journey was $1000 cheaper than other options.

While the airline offers excellent value, some travellers have reported issues with seat functionality, entertainment systems, and delays. However, others have praised the comfortable seats, friendly staff, and efficient handling of ticketing issues.

Royal Brunei Airlines is the national carrier of Brunei and is owned by the government of the predominantly Muslim country. As such, the airline does not serve alcohol on its flights. The airline also has a dress code for business class, prohibiting jeans and trainers.

The airline has a loyalty program called Royal Skies, which is not affiliated with any major programs. Overall, Royal Brunei Airlines provides a good option for budget-conscious travellers seeking comfort and convenience on long-haul flights.

The airline has a loyalty scheme called Royal Skies, which is not affiliated with any major programs

Royal Brunei Airlines has its own loyalty scheme called Royal Skies. The scheme is not affiliated with any major programs. Passengers can earn Royal Skies miles each time they fly or when they spend with any of the airline's participating partners. There are multiple ways to earn Royal Skies miles, both in the air and on the ground. Passengers can redeem their miles for a reward flight, reward upgrade, extra baggage allowance, or Sky Lounge access at Brunei International Airport.

The Sky Lounge at Brunei airport has been recently refurbished and offers a range of different areas in which to relax, work, or eat. The lounge features comfortable seating areas, day beds, workstations with plenty of plug sockets and chargers, free WiFi, a small cinema, games arcade, and a children’s play area. A hot and cold buffet is available in the restaurant with hot and cold drinks (no alcohol). The lounge is free for business class and Royal Skies gold members. Otherwise, it costs BND45 prepaid and BND55 for walk-ins.

Royal Brunei Airlines offers a reduced youth fare for travellers between 12 and 15 years of age

The airline offers a full-service carrier experience with cheaper flights to Europe. For example, the Melbourne-London route is $1000 cheaper than other airlines, even though it includes two stops in Brunei and Dubai.

Royal Brunei Airlines is owned by the government of Brunei, a predominantly Muslim country. As a result, the airline does not serve alcohol on its flights. The food, however, has been described as good, especially the biryani.

The airline operates Boeing 787 Dreamliners on its Melbourne to London route. The seats are configured in a 3-3-3 layout, with a pitch of 32 inches and a width of 17.2 inches. While the seats may not be the most spacious, the airline does offer a generous checked luggage allowance of up to 30 kilograms, depending on the ticket tier.

In-flight entertainment is available on 9-inch touchscreens, with a range of movies, TV shows, music, and games. Noise-cancelling headphones are provided in business class, while economy passengers can use their own headphones.

Overall, Royal Brunei Airlines offers a good combination of comfort and affordability, making it a popular choice for travellers looking for a budget-friendly option.

Frequently asked questions