Royal Brunei Airlines to and from London

[jetlagger]

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.

Reluctantly.. At times with frowns!

 

[spudseamus]

I would use it as my alcohol free days of the week!! (smile)

 

[djfuzz]

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!

It's fair enough if those are deal breakers for you, but I imagine to a lot of people it's not a binary choice between Win or Fail (I notice you haven't explicitly accorded them the benefit of the Win for price in that list ). Subbing in a meal at a nice restaurant and a couple of bottles of decent wine (thank you, epiQure - I think) in lieu of a significant chunk of change for a couple of glasses on board could appeal to some.

 

[docjames]

Surely the comparo here should be either against similarly priced flights on other airlines (QF Y+) or recognising that it is substantially cheaper than the J offerings and as a result of course there will be some areas where it is weaker.\


Thanks to the OP for a great report of their trip.

 

[Aussie_flyer]

Some pics of the meals would be good.

Why is the seat a FAIL? It is not a bad seat, no worse than TG's offering. I'd be quite content in that seat and have been on SQ many times.

The alcohol fail can be overcome by purchasing whatever you like duty free and drinking on board. the $4000 you saved on the fare could buy you more than enough quality liquor for the flight over I would assume.

 

[lovestotravel]

Why is the seat a FAIL? It is not a bad seat, no worse than TG's offering. I'd be quite content in that seat and have been on SQ many times.

The alcohol fail can be overcome by purchasing whatever you like duty free and drinking on board. the $4000 you saved on the fare could buy you more than enough quality liquor for the flight over I would assume.

If it's not a fully flat bed I am not interested

SQ A380/77W is far far superior to theses Seats along with Etihad, Emirates and Qantas on the A380

As for the $4000 I would have saved, I also factor in the loss of FF points/status credits that I would earn with another airline.. That's worth about $1000 to be so for $3000 more I'd rather fly a quality airline with a much superior J product

This "business class" appears to be basically a slight better than premium economy product

As for smuggling in my own alcohol, this would make it feel like a school camp and I would have no interest in doing this, nor would most other travellers.

 

[docjames]

As for smuggling in my own alcohol, this would make it feel like a school camp and I would have no interest in doing this, nor would most other travellers.

Smuggling implies deceit - there's no need to decieve (i'd had feedback from others using this carrier that the staff are quite happy to supply you as much ice/mixer as you desire).

I think we've established you wont be flying Royal Brunei :shock:, but it's certainly a J option for a Y+ price for many people.

FWIW if I had to go at late notice to EU/LHR it would certainly be on my list of options, but for advanced-planned trips, you can often find $6k-$7k J airfares (eg. MH/TG) which compares well to the $5k Y+ fares on QF. But $3800 is still almost half that price so it's really a great deal even for what it is. But it's not for those wanting a "lie-flat" experience.

 

[lovestotravel]

But it's not for those wanting a "lie-flat" experience.

Or those that want a stop-over in a desirable location
Or those that want a decent lounge to relax in
Or those that want decent IFE
Or those who want a modern interior
Or those that want a decent FF program

You get the idea

 

[Aussie_flyer]

SQ A380/77W is far far superior to theses Seats along with Etihad, Emirates and Qantas on the A380

Are you referring to Emirates on the A380? Because the 777-300ER business class seats I have tried are not fully flat beds and are quite similar to other angled lie flats I've flown including these SQ seats installed on BI.

 

[docjames]

Yes, you wont be going EK then (they "also" go via DXB....)

I guess it depends on how much you're willing to pay as a premium for all of those items - for some, the $$ saving is worth the "inferior" product.

 

[mannej]

Or those that want a stop-over in a desirable location
Or those that want a decent lounge to relax in
Or those that want decent IFE
Or those who want a modern interior
Or those that want a decent FF program

You get the idea

Then there are those who don't care about most of those points and find the offer too good to refuse for the comfort and price paid.


Had the in-laws use it when they flew PER-LHR. The tech stop was great for my FIL as he can't do the ultra LH flying.
Funny thing was they got delayed by 18 hrs on the way back as the Sultan wanted the plane, but no complaints as they were looked after.

 

[spudseamus]

Couldn't spend the extra with the big guys so im off to Lhr on Royal Brunei in J for $3600 !! -- thanks again for the T/R

 

[joyvee]

Thanks to all for report and comments. Husband will fly J and I will go coach to BKK and that will suit our budget and our individual comfort needs. Maybe I will even learn some Bahasa to add some excitement to my trip as will avail myself of some language coaching from the staff - extra bonus no one else has mentioned. JoyV

 

[Dalescott]

The wife and I have rebook with Royal Brunei again, and will be flying in June to UK. This time we are having a stopover in Brunei for 3 nights.
Can hardly wait.

 

[jetlagger]

The wife and I have rebook with Royal Brunei again, and will be flying in June to UK. This time we are having a stopover in Brunei for 3 nights.
Can hardly wait.

Well done
You will enjoy Brunei. It's a quite place though culturally interesting & the food & variety is lovely.

 

[joyvee]

It seems to me that the majority of flyers on this forum can make use of extensive business flights and therefore maximize the benefits accrued or elsehave sufficient expendable income to fly business class often. As a once every two years international flier I want to find the best value for my limited funds. BTW last report on airlinequality Royal Brunei flights said they now have flat beds at least on one route. Worth checking it out. JoyV

 

[Dalescott]

Here is a short video of the Royal Brunei Airlines Business class
[video=youtube;zNY7DRwp-_I]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zNY7DRwp-_I&feature=youtu.be[/video]

 

[joyvee]

Thanks for that but have really slow connection i Taupo so may have to wait till I get home. Will try googling it. Did see one but that was prior to flat bed report on airlinequality. Joy

 

[MelUser]

Looking at booking MEL-HKG with RB in J for Jan next year.

Trip over requires an overnight stay in Brunei- land 5pm, take off for HK 10:30am next day.

2 things;

(1) Can anyone advise how immigration etc works and what is best hotel in airport vicinity. Note I am going with family so a number of travellers.

(2) Can anyone advise on the regional J on their A320 planes?

PS:

To all those asking why I am not booking CX or QF - J fare is less than the cheapest Y fare on either QF or CX.

 

[mannej]

Just be aware that these flights are dry, unless you BYO...