Royal Brunei coming to Brisbane

[Mattg]

Royal Brunei will commence 4x weekly flights from Brisbane to Bandar Seri Begawan, Brunei from 11 June 2019.

Royal Brunei Airlines returns to Brisbane, Australia - Brunei

With a flight time of 7 hours, BNE-BWN seems like a long route for an A320neo! But I guess it's possible.

Pricing seems reasonable; around $600 return for BNE-BWN. The timings also connect well to/from LHR and DXB. BNE-LHR fares are around $1,250 return and BNE-DXB is just over $1k.

 

[Quickstatus]

With a flight time of 7 hours, BNE-BWN seems like a long route for an A320neo! But I guess it's possible.

The distance is achievable with less than full complement of passengers which is good for a 7He flight

 

[jase05]

BI has done MEL-BWN in the A320neo before as a substitute when their B787’s were down. The J seats look pretty decent.
We have used BI a number of MEL-BWN-MNL and MEL-BWN-BKI but it’s good to see them back in BNE. Now they have canned the refuelling stop in DXB and go non stop to LHR it also gives Brisbane pax another option to get to the UK as connection times look pretty good

 

[Quickstatus]

Dont BI know that Sydney is the center of the universe?

 

[jase05]

I wonder what lounge access pax get in BNE. Last trip from MEL we had use of the CX lounge but I read somewhere that mid last year that changed to the the Marhaba lounge. I’m guessing maybe BNE PP lounge?

 

[Melburnian1]

Dont BI know that Sydney is the center of the universe?

It used to fly there. I flew it to SYD maybe 16 years ago. Can't recall when it ceased the route. It also used to fly to DRW and maybe elsewhere in Australia.

The timetable ex MEL and forthcoming ex BNE means no immediate onward connections to most places in Asia on its network, so this small airline has or will become unattractive for almost anything that isn't a trip to LHR.

 

[Quickstatus]

so this small airline has or will become unattractive for almost anything that isn't a trip to LHR.

Similar to QF for anywhere in EU

 

[jase05]

It used to fly there. I flew it to SYD maybe 16 years ago. Can't recall when it ceased the route. It also used to fly to DRW and maybe elsewhere in Australia.

The timetable ex MEL and forthcoming ex BNE means no immediate onward connections to anywhere in Asia if I recall, so this small airline has or will become unattractive for almost anything that isn't a trip to LHR.

Unless things have changed there still should be a connection to BKI but you are correct in that there isn’t many options so a stop over may be required.
The BNE flight may arrive in time to make the DXB connection so that might appeal to some

 

[Quickstatus]

I wonder what lounge access pax get in BNE. Last trip from MEL we had use of the CX lounge but I read somewhere that mid last year that changed to the the Marhaba lounge. I’m guessing maybe BNE PP lounge?

BNE only has 3 i-lounges:
QF,NZ,PP
So maybe PP.

 

[Melburnian1]

Unless things have changed there still should be a connection to BKI but you are correct in that there isn’t many options so a stop over may be required.
The BNE flight may arrive in time to make the DXB connection so that might appeal to some

There will be a BWN - BKI connection (ex BNE) six days a week (exception is Thursday from BrisVegas). The BKI-bound flight departs at 0030, 100 minutes after scheduled arrival at 2250 of the ex-BNE flight.

To Dubai it's tighter, with the BWN - DXB only four days a week and connections varying between 45, 55 and 80 minutes. 45 is particularly tight but it's a tiny airport for a hub. Nonetheless I found when transiting one had to line up for security and there could be a five minute queue.

This airline seems to be concentrating on BNE (and MEL) - LHR passenger traffic where yields will be low. Typical fares are in the A$1000 return area (may be higher at busier times) so after A$60 departure tax is taken out, and $200 plus in airport taxes and charges including the UK outbound APD it's flying an economy passenger for about A$360 each way.

 

[pangwen]

Unless things have changed there still should be a connection to BKI but you are correct in that there isn’t many options so a stop over may be required.
The BNE flight may arrive in time to make the DXB connection so that might appeal to some

Looks like Royal Brunei will provide an overnight hotel if you are forced to stay in BWN due to a connection, based on their fare conditions (just did a dummy BNE-xBWN-HKG booking on their website) - Imgur

With respect to the lounge situation, given that BI use Plaza Premium at BKI and KUL, I wouldn't be surprised if they went with PP in BNE too. Unless they surprise us all and use the new/proposed "My Lounge" that VA and EY are going to use.

 

[Melburnian1]

Looks like Royal Brunei will provide an overnight hotel if you are forced to stay in BWN due to a connection, based on their fare conditions (just did a dummy BNE-xBWN-HKG booking on their website) - Imgur

A travel agent I know confirmed that to me. One assumes meals and transfers are included, but it's still a long trip given the poor connection one way.

The bigger issue may be that many travelling ex MEL or BNE may be going on to LHR, so the number of available seats for an Oz - Asia trip will be limited. Logical that because London is further away and requires more planning if an extensive holiday, those who travel to it may book further ahead than if we're bound for Asia.

 

[boomy]

BNE only has 3 i-lounges:
QF,NZ,PP
So maybe PP.

There’s SQ lounge as well.

 

[pangwen]

There’s SQ lounge as well.

Yep, plus EK and "My Lounge" when that gets built.

 

[jase05]

Looks like Royal Brunei will provide an overnight hotel if you are forced to stay in BWN due to a connection, based on their fare conditions (just did a dummy BNE-xBWN-HKG booking on their website) - Imgur

With respect to the lounge situation, given that BI use Plaza Premium at BKI and KUL, I wouldn't be surprised if they went with PP in BNE too. Unless they surprise us all and use the new/proposed "My Lounge" that VA and EY are going to use.

Our last visit was when BI had the midday flight to BWN and we had only a couple of hours in the lounge before our MNL connection. The return flight necessitated an over night stay and at the time they were offereing a choice of a couple of hotels. We chose the Centrepoint which was pretty decent and was a close walk to a shopping mall and restaurants. Don’t know if they still do but now but at the time BI also offered free transfers and and a day tour which was excellent.

 

[Mattg]

The BNE-BWN flight is also timed well for connections to/from NRT and, 2 days a week, ICN. Pricing from BNE to NRT is not bad either, around $634 return.

 

[Quickstatus]

Don’t forget to BYO

 

[Mattg]

Don’t forget to BYO

Genuine question - is this allowed and/or encouraged? I would have thought it would be illegal to BYO alcohol onto a flight. Or, if not illegal, at least disrespectful to bring your own alcohol onto a dry airline.

 

[Quickstatus]

Genuine question - is this allowed and/or encouraged? I would have thought it would be illegal to BYO alcohol onto a flight. Or, if not illegal, at least disrespectful to bring your own alcohol onto a dry airline.

My understanding is BI flights are “dry” meaning the inflight catering provided by the airline is non-alcoholic. Additionally at BWN all alcohol in your possession are confiscated - all passengers transiting or arriving have to deplane with their carryon and this is inspected before the next flight.

However at outstation ports on flights to BWN you are allowed to BYO into the cabin and consume the alcohol inflight - effectively meaning DF Alcohol has to be consumed inflight and will be confiscated on arrival into BWN whether transit or otherwise. BYO relates to DF obviously as it’s a liquid and obviously it’s impossible to drink 1 bottle of JW on a flight to BWN without drawing attention to yourself even on other non-dry airlines.

Muslims are alcohol prohibited , so this applies to non - Muslims. I suspect cabin crew tolerance of overt drunkenness will be a lot lower than other airlines and arrival into BWN drunk will turn into a very serious matter.

 

[jase05]

My understanding is BI flights are “dry” meaning the inflight catering provided by the airline is non-alcoholic. Additionally at BWN all alcohol in your possession are confiscated - all passengers transiting or arriving have to deplane with their carryon and this is inspected before the next flight.

However at outstation ports on flights to BWN you are allowed to BYO into the cabin and consume the alcohol inflight - effectively meaning DF Alcohol has to be consumed inflight and will be confiscated on arrival into BWN whether transit or otherwise. BYO relates to DF obviously as it’s a liquid and obviously it’s impossible to drink 1 bottle of JW on a flight to BWN without drawing attention to yourself even on other non-dry airlines.

Muslims are alcohol prohibited , so this applies to non - Muslims. I suspect cabin crew tolerance of overt drunkenness will be a lot lower than other airlines and arrival into BWN drunk will turn into a very serious matter.

Non muslims over 18 are allowed to take 2l of spirits into Brunei and this won’t be confiscated at the airport. We buy the mini bottles from DF and consume them on board and any unopened bottles won’t be confiscated. The staff of BI are very tolerant but ask that you show discretion and not flaunt it and they will not touch any empty bottles and prefer that you pour your drinks out of sight. I found the best way is to buy the minis and pour them into your drinks and then put the empty bottles into a non see through paper bag and then dispose of them in the toilet bin before disembarking. On a flight from MEL-BWN I might only have 3-4 drinks for the whole trip and if you do appear intoxicated on board or at arrival there will be issues