Royal Brunei Airlines to and from London

[Dalescott]

My wife and I travel to and from London in Business class, every year around March/April. We fly with a different airline every year, after having used EK for a number of years. This year we used Royal Brunei Airlines (RBA), and we were not disappointed. There is little to be disappointed about RBA, the planes are ex SIA Boeing 777-200ER so they are not rubbish, the service is first rate as the FA are all trained by SIA, the meals are great in fact to good if that is possible.
But let me start at the beginning, firstly the Fare cost $3800 each, now at that price you wouldn't even get a seat in PE on Qantas. At Tullamarine airport we used the United lounge, which was go, but not up to the same standard as EK's Tulla lounge.



The seating on the plane is angled, but is still comfortable. I can not fault the general comfort will seated, while lying down, and the controls are easy to use. As I said service is excellent, there is plenty of food, but and there is a but the RBA are a no Alcohol airline. Although I did see some people with spirits that they were using to mix with.





RBA's skylounge in Brunei is OK and has good facilities and is comfortable. There are showers with towels provided (something that was not at Dudong airport in China). The hot food is very good, plenty to drink. Not problems here as the airport is small, and facilities are clean and well cared for.



All in all, I cannot a good flight, the toilet bag is a little wanting tooth brush, tooth paste, socks, not a lot. They should look at SIA's toilet bag, but there is little that I can pick on.

 

[Tooner]

I last flew with them in September 2001, and there were no personal screens then, but the Travellers Prayer was kinda comforting. I hope they still do it.

 

[Dalescott]

Yes there is personal screens, and the prayer is cool. Every little bit helps.

 

[spudseamus]

Thank you Dalescott -- I am thinking of this Airline from Mel to Lhr myself and your TR has given me something to chew on ! for the price I can go without alcohol (grin) and I really dont need the car at the airport and im not a lover of Lhr but I will be transiting to Dublin so im thinking it wont be so bad ?

 

[djfuzz]

Thanks for the TR! Always been curious to try RBA with their reasonable J fares. Curious about the amenity kit issue though - I thought SIA's J amenity kits these days were pretty bare themselves, with most of the stuff provided in the lavs?

 

[lovestotravel]

While I am glad you enjoyed the J trip on Royal Brunei, I really fail to see how it can compare to any other carrier flying internationally...

Firstly no alcohol, then you have the old business class seats that are not lie flat with very old IFE

You have two stops on the way to London, with one being a "tech" stop for fuel

Then you read about the delays on a recent flight https://www.facebook.com/royalbruneiairlines

I'd pass flying them and stick to the majors, however, the majors are twice the price

 

[Travel Guru]

While I am glad you enjoyed the J trip on Royal Brunei, I really fail to see how it can compare to any other carrier flying internationally...

Firstly no alcohol, then you have the old business class seats that are not lie flat with very old IFE

You have two stops on the way to London, with one being a "tech" stop for fuel

Then you read about the delays on a recent flight https://www.facebook.com/royalbruneiairlines

I'd pass flying them and stick to the majors, however, the majors are twice the price

Why is it not valid to compare it to any other international carrier's J offering?

You said it yourself, they majors are twice the price, so while they might not be up to the same standard in my book it's worthy of comparison for the value proposition they offer those who wouldn't or couldn't pay twice the price for a business experience.

As for the alcohol, you can take your own though my personal opinion is that it's a pretty sad reflection on society that we can't go 24 hours without a drink (although that's coming from someone who rarely drinks).

TG

 

[djfuzz]

I don't know about that - seems like it's a fair trade for the price. From this and other TRs, it appears that the no alcohol issue can reasonably be subverted (do they have a 'no opening duty free alcohol' policy?). And even if the seats are older, provided they're clean and comfortable I'd happily take them for that price - and you can always load up a tablet with your own IFE.

 

[Travel Guru]

I don't know about that - seems like it's a fair trade for the price. From this and other TRs, it appears that the no alcohol issue can reasonably be subverted (do they have a 'no opening duty free alcohol' policy?). And even if the seats are older, provided they're clean and comfortable I'd happily take them for that price - and you can always load up a tablet with your own IFE.

You're allowed to bring your own DF alcohol on board and they'll serve it to you, they just dont offer it themselves.

TG

 

[Dalescott]

If I had to choose between BA, QF, EK, SIA, or RBA. I would look and score 1 through 10 at price, service, seats, Lounge, FA, route taken and flying time. I would go with RBA, just over SIA, with QF and BA equal, and last EK. I have been on all five in the last 2 and half years. I fly regularly with work and will use RBA for personal use. I have already spoken to Accounts about RBA, and have given them a report on it. As to the alcohol issue, well as medical research has proven alcohol is not recommended, and it is strongly advised not to drink alcohol.

 

[lovestotravel]

Price is the only factor that RBA wins on, the rest:

Seat - Fail
Time - Fail
FA - Always varies with each crew and one staff member can ruin any airline.
Food - Fail
Lounges - Fail
Alcohol - Fail, EPIC Fail
Route - Fail
Aircraft - Fail
IFE - Fail
FF Program - Fail, based on a quick look. Earning rates the same as SQ, but you need 282600 miles to redeem J MEL-LHR, where as SQ you only need 161500 miles

Yep they are cheap, but that's about it!

 

[loobloke]

How about you compare it price wise - J on BI is comparable to QF PE prices. Then that becomes very competitive!

It's not because they don't want to provide it. It's part of their custom not to drink, and if they can go their whole lives without drinking alcohol, I'm sure a few hours won't kill you. Just bring your own if you are that much of an alcoholic.

You get what you pay for ... I like BI, used to fly them quite a lot (one of the few airlines which used to service DRW).

 

[Dalescott]

Price is the only factor that RBA wins on, the rest:

Seat - Fail
Time - Fail
FA - Always varies with each crew and one staff member can ruin any airline.
Food - Fail
Lounges - Fail
Alcohol - Fail, EPIC Fail
Route - Fail
Aircraft - Fail
IFE - Fail
FF Program - Fail, based on a quick look. Earning rates the same as SQ, but you need 282600 miles to redeem J MEL-LHR, where as SQ you only need 161500 miles

Yep they are cheap, but that's about it!

Have you flown with them, I flew with them on the 27/3/12 and returned on the 12/4/12 from London, all in Business class. As I said I am a regular flyer, and the FA's are brilliant, QF and EK FA could learn what service delivery is from them. As to the lounges they use the United in Tulla, the Etihad in Heathrow, and their own in Brunei. Do you have a problem with Etihad Lounges?? As to Alcohol, medical research is very firm on this matter, a reduction in air pressure at altitude increases the blood sugar level (Diabetic research), and people find it easy to sleep on an airplane because of this. Alcohol at Altitude is not good for you!! I have no problems going without alcohol for 24 hours, beside they don't serve it for religis reasons. The planes are ex and not that ex SIA, and in first rate order not like EK and BA. IFE has 70 channels on it, and all with current movies, like War Horse, Iron Lady, to name a few. The head sets were great and very comfortable to wear. As to the FF program, very and I mean every FF program is S..t, and getting worse. I have personally given up on them, I have 155K of EK's skywards program and I can't even give them away.

I don't know which Royal Brunei Airlines you flew on, but it wasn't the same one that I flew with.

I WILL BE USING THEM AGAIN!!

 

[lovestotravel]

I'm sure a few hours won't kill you. Just bring your own if you are that much of an alcoholic.

It's 30 hours, of course you have no idea what the definition of an alcoholic is do you, but easier to try to make a snide comment than stick to the facts!

 

[jetlagger]

Thanks for the nice pictures!

Ok.. So, it's nice that you enjoyed the experience..

I have mixed reports of RBA.. On price consideration.. Definately A winner..At times though!

I had a J class BNE/HKG before the "realigning of operations"

Report:

HARD PRODUCT: Somewhat lacking.. Seat & IFE substandard compared to other carriers. Rating 7/10

SOFT PRODUCT: Inflight service excellent in J Rating 8/10 Excellent Crews, even without the benefit of Moet

CATERING & F & B QUALITY: Just on the ok level. Rating 6/10

LOUNGE IN BWN: Lacking.. OMG! Instant Coffee.. Food lacking & looking old & tired, as is the lounge staff, 16 hour shift & no lockers available! I headed into town for a decent meal

TRANSIT TIMES: Unfriendly/ Boring/Miserable Airport of BWN

If price is your point of choice.. GO for it! In my view.. when it works.. yes, it is great, but there are some distinctive let downs, at the premium end anyway, but I am am a harsh critic.

Would like to hear from other patrons of this carrier..

Cheers jl

 

[lovestotravel]

jetlagger - You have pretty much confirmed what my post said!

 

[haydensydney]

The lack of alcohol for me is a bit of an issue: afterall 100% of my travel is leisure and when I hope on a plane I want to celebrate. Usually to excess

So the alcohol would be a problem for me.

In terms of the rest of the proposition, the seats and IFE are similar to TG or MH so doesn't appear that much of a drop. With the savings in fares that one would spent on a more well known carrier, someone could spend thouse $000's on Bond street getting a new wardrobe (Or a jacket, depending on the shop lol)

Interesting report, its given me something to think about....

 

[lovestotravel]

Indeed, it is an option and fare better than Premium Economy on any airline

But the no alcohol for me is a killer, and on pretty much every long-haul flight I take in J, there is no-one over 18 that refuses alcohol!!

 

[MELso]

Thanks for the TR...

For the money you save, you could be taking a bottle of Mouton Rothschild or Lafite on each way for your booze supply, and still have change. Alternatively, think of it as someone offering you $2k-$4k to go without alcohol for 48 hours...

Mind you, there are other airlines that will do J for under $4k to Europe such as VN and GA that do ply alcohol.

 

[Major]

There is no reason why you can't buy some of the small bottles of wine and spirits at MEL DF to take with you. As I understand the FA's will provide mixers and serve it for you.