Royal Brunei will fly to Brisbane from June

Royal Brunei will fly to Brisbane from June

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by David Flynn | January 18, 2019

Royal Brunei Airlines will begin flying to Brisbane from 11 June, opening up another one-stop connection to London as well as alternative routes across Asia via Royal Brunei's home hub at Bandar Seri Begawan.

Passengers can plan their trip around four flights pr week, departing on 5.30pm on Monday, Wednesday, Thursday and Saturday, with Royal Brunei's single-aisle Airbus A320neo making the seven-hour journey.

Its 12 reclining business class seats are arranged in a conventional 2-2 layout across three rows.

Each has a 42-inch pitch with a 22.7in seat width and 10-inch recline, is equipped with dual AC/USB sockets and includes a 10 inch video screen.

Royal Brunei's Airbus A320 neo jets also have 18 'preferred' economy seats with 32 inches of pitch compared to the standard 30 inches in economy.

Brisbane is the airline's second Australian destination, with the airline already flying a Boeing 787 from Melbourne to London via Brunei.

Brisbane Royal Brunei Airlines Airbus A320

David Flynn

David Flynn

david@ausbt.com.au / @djsflynn

David Flynn is the editor of Australian Business Traveller and a bit of a travel tragic with a weakness for good coffee, shopping and lychee martinis.
 

48 comments


  • LatteLaptopLoon

    LatteLaptopLoon

    18 Jan, 2019 11:20 am

    Great news for BNE. Just hope I don’t sit next to someone with BYO alcohol and drinks it all in a hurry before it gets confiscated in Brunei.
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  • Mark

    Mightyreds

    18 Jan, 2019 11:59 am

    Non Muslim people are allowed to bring in a set quantity of alcohol. Something like 2 bottles of spirits and a 6 pack. I’m sure AUSBT will advise.
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  • Davedownunder

    Davedownunder

    19 Jan, 2019 07:54 pm

    First time I flew RB about 20 years ago from SIN to DRW I was horrified to see when they called the flight in the lounge, all the passengers got up and started stuffing their pockets with beer cans. Once I got on board I asked for a G&T only to be told by the air hostess they don't serve alcohol!

    Seems they still don't so if you fly RB you may want to consider BYO
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  • stewardnurse

    stewardnurse

    18 Jan, 2019 11:26 am

    Nice to have them return to QLD.
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  • Dan

    DanV

    18 Jan, 2019 11:58 am

    Good to see BI back in BNE, especially on the A320neo enabling more or right-sized frequency.

    Although, correct me if wrong, the recliners on the A320neo for J pax ain't ideal for J pax booking through to LHR via the Brunei hub. Considerable difference in product.
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  • Joe

    Joe

    18 Jan, 2019 12:14 pm

    Who is going to pay to sit on an A320 even in Business for 7 hours? Fares better be super competitive considering its also a dry airline.
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  • Aleks Popovic

    SYDINI

    18 Jan, 2019 12:40 pm

    Aside from J, the Y product is almost identical. What’s the difference from being in 3x3 versus the 787 in a 3x3x3? The seat is the same, service the same.

    BI for those who are aware are always competitive. But realistically speaking you would have 2 lunch or dinner meals the whole way through. How much alcohol on a plane do you think you’ll be allowed to have on another flight?
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  • kimshep

    kimshep

    18 Jan, 2019 03:11 pm

    Feel free to correct me if I am mistaken, but QF's B787-9 Y seat is 32" pitch, not the 30" pitch being offered by Brunei. So the pitch is different and the service level is also.


    I agree that Royal Brunei offers a compelling product for the price-sensitive traveller and are able to also do this on the NEO with a basic J product, but a QF emulator it isn't.

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  • Dredgy

    Dredgy

    20 Jan, 2019 02:11 pm

    I don't think he was comparing QF and BI, he was comparing Royal Brunei's 787 to their A320.
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  • Aleks Popovic

    SYDINI

    18 Jan, 2019 03:28 pm

    Ok so based on GDS pricing... to give everyone peace of mind. The fare from BNE-BWN in D class is AUD2025. Comparison with SQ is AUD3200 in D, and MH is AUD2830 in Z.

    Through to LON in July BI is AUD5602 with tax in D, comparing 20JUL going and 04AUG coming back, no one is lower priced either. The next best is China Southern at 6655, or SQ at 7512...
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  • Joe

    Joe

    19 Jan, 2019 12:36 am

    The Qantas/Royal Jordanian combo is the cheapest and best value if you don't mind two stops-which some people enjoy esp those with lots of time to spare in their travels. I have used BI once because I was able to score a J fare to LHR for $3600AUD RTN.
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  • L Mck

    Lmc

    18 Jan, 2019 05:34 pm

    BI fares in both J and Y are always very competitive! Have used them up to asia and paid $1800 return in Business.
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  • Traveller14

    Traveller14

    19 Jan, 2019 10:01 am

    For about A$200 more each way in fully flat J seats,one can fly via MNL to the rest of Asia on excellent PR that has a full bar service and meal choices for different tastes, including pork. Who wants to be dictated to re alcohol, irrespective as to whether one is only an occasional drinker? We also ought not support vicious sharia law.
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  • David Flynn

    David

    18 Jan, 2019 12:25 pm

    I'm honestly astounded when I hear people lamenting 'dry flights'. I'm not a teetotaller by any stretch but the notion of being unable to go without a drink for 8-12 hours is a very curious one.
    Member who gave thanks

    Gilflyer

  • Dean

    deanr

    18 Jan, 2019 12:35 pm

    I don't know about you, but when I book business class I expect full business class service, which means a nice glass of wine with my meal rather than a mere soft drink as I'd expect of economy, and if I feel like it, a glass of bubbles. As other commenters have said, to run a long international flight without flatbeds and with a reduced on board service compared to most other airlines, the fares should reflect that. I'd expect to pay closer to a premium economy fare for that kind of experience than what most other carriers would charge for business class on a comparable flight.
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  • kimshep

    kimshep

    18 Jan, 2019 03:01 pm

    Not so curious I think, David.

    There are some people that have an inherent fear of flying or just plain nervousness that find a single glass of port, wine etc is enough to calm their nerves. Same issue with those who may wish to sleep on a 7 hour flight. I'd rather see someone have a responsible single drink to help them get off to sleep than a face-full of sleeping medication.

    The other issue is that while many may defend this as a cultural / religious decision by the carrier, it is still available in an odd form to westerners. From the point of the average Frequent Traveller though, the idea of a complimentary 'welcome' drink is part of the 'hospitality' element of the soft product - and gee, each of the major alliances have conditioned us to that in order to provide a unified level of service.


    We also forget that an A320NEO is NOT an A380, B777, A350, A330 or B787 - so the ability to get up and have a wander around etc is not going to be present. What do you do when you are welded to your J class recliner or 30" (urrrgh!) pitch Y seat for 7 hours? You watch a movie or several .. and eat. Both things are conducive of the expectation of an accompanying relaxing drink. Doesn't mean you have to get blotto or abuse the privilege.

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    David

  • David Flynn

    David

    18 Jan, 2019 03:11 pm

    A very well-reasoned response, thanks kimshep!
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  • Dredgy

    Dredgy

    18 Jan, 2019 11:27 pm

    Well-reasoned response by kimshep aside, the fact is that in the corportate world, there are a lot of high-functioning alcoholics.
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  • Tom Wilson

    tommygun

    18 Jan, 2019 12:35 pm

    Pretty lame J product for 7 hours.
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  • Rod Harmer

    Rod H

    18 Jan, 2019 01:11 pm

    Now that the Sultan of Brunei has started the introduction of strict Sharia Law I would not be at all surprised if there is a total ban on alcohol on board the aircraft as it is in Brunei. RBA used to allow you to BYO but that may now not be allowed and as non Muslims we were allowed to bring in a few bottles of wine or spirits and that's no longer the case either. Mind you if you are a member of the Royal Family you are EXEMPT from Sharia Law according the Head of Islamic Affairs Brunei.

    As David has so correctly pointed out I also can't see why you could not go without for 8 hrs, most people do just that from waking up until late afternoon anyway so what's so hard about it? But if you cannot then simply fly with another Airline-

    That's what I do.

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  • Mark

    Mightyreds

    18 Jan, 2019 06:39 pm

    I believe non muslims are still allowed to bring in a specified quantity of alcohol.
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  • russell

    russell

    18 Jan, 2019 01:21 pm

    Its not the fact I cant have a glass of wine that would bother me, its more the fact being told that I cant have one or any alcoholic drink at all that bothers me.

    If I decide not to have one its my choice, I don't need an airline telling me I cant have one in J.

    So I guess I wont be flying these guys anytime soon....

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  • Mike K

    Mjkcan

    18 Jan, 2019 02:18 pm

    I will often go without - but on my terms, not some country’s verging-totalitarian laws. I’ll fly with someone else.
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  • John Phelan

    John Phelan

    20 Jan, 2019 11:53 pm

    You're told you can't smoke, either - is that a problem?
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  • Mal

    Mal

    18 Jan, 2019 02:26 pm

    If you don't want to "fly dry" from Brisbane to London you can choose to fly with at least a dozen other airlines.
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  • Tristan

    tris06

    18 Jan, 2019 03:31 pm

    When the flew to Brisbane Maybe 20 years ago they were by far the cheapest to London. No doubt some will be interested if it is priced low enough. The only difference is there is more competition.
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  • Dredgy

    Dredgy

    18 Jan, 2019 11:25 pm

    They've always been the cheapest so I expect that will continue.
    The other difference is their is less inconvenience than their used to be - the flight used to be Australia->BWN->DXB->LHR.
    Now it's a one-stop flight so they might be able to charge more.

    Their product (on widebodies at least) is excellent and I'd expect the soft product to be the same on the smaller aircraft.

    BWN airport is still a nightmare though. Would recommend staying a night, rather than transiting two hours there :p
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  • Albinoni1967

    Albinoni1967

    18 Jan, 2019 03:44 pm

    Stuff that for a joke sitting for 7hrs on a single aisle plane, sitting for 4 hrs on a frigging Boeing 737 Virgin Australia was bad enough
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  • Nick Sydney 348

    Nick Sydney 2

    18 Jan, 2019 03:49 pm

    Good to have options. Those who lament the lack of alcohol may need to look more at themselves than the airline. Going without for 7 hours is no different to not drinking at work during an 8 /9 hour day.
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  • Austman

    Austman

    18 Jan, 2019 06:55 pm

    It seems that duty free alcohol is still allowed in Brunei for non-Muslims. And with a fairly generous allowance too!

    I think being able to go for 7 hours without alcohol entirely misses the point.

    J-class is usually sold as as fine dining experience. And in most fine dining establishments, quality alcohol compliments the dining experience (lunch and dinner, anyway). It's not about going without, it's about a fine experience.

    I suppose we can all go without food and water for 7 hours if it comes to that.

    LCCs seem to know it.
    No member give thanks

  • Stephen Howell

    ratrace

    18 Jan, 2019 09:42 pm

    What bothers me more is the single aisle for 7 hours.
    No member give thanks

  • StudiodeKadent

    StudiodeKadent

    18 Jan, 2019 11:41 pm

    Ehhh, the A320neo isn't too uncomfortable, so its nothing to worry about. The real source of the discomfort would be the lack of booze...

    I'd worry if they were flying a 737 on this route. But A320s are more tolerable on longer flights.
    No member give thanks

  • Daniel Keaton

    New York State

    19 Jan, 2019 04:29 am

    BI’s frequent flight points get you nowhere. I’m a silver member with RoyalSkies and still have not figured out a way to redeem my 36,000 odd points.
    No member give thanks

  • Rod Harmer

    Rod H

    19 Jan, 2019 07:53 am

    Seems like my information re taking alcohol into Brunei was incorrect.

    "Buying alcohol and drinking in public.Brunei's strict sharia law bans the sale of alcohol. But it's not all bad news for drinkers: Non-Muslims over the age of 17 have a generous duty free allowance. You can bring two litres of liquor or 12 cans of beer into the country every 48 hours."

    Not sure about drinking on the flight but can't see any reason why it could not happen. Might depend on the feelings of the Purser . But as I have said most people don't drink for the 8 hrs whilst at work so what's the big deal about doing the same on a flight. Makes it much more enjoyable when you can have a drink after you leave the flight. Something to look forward to.

    No member give thanks

  • Jason Curnow

    Ace05

    19 Jan, 2019 09:04 am

    Have flown them numerous times and has always been a pleasant experience. Their A320neo business class is quite comfortable and I’d have no problem with 7 hours in it. Good connection times to LHR aswell. Yes BWN airport isn’t fantastic but it’s easy to navigate around and the BI lounge upgrades have made it a comfortable enough place to spend a couple of hours
    No member give thanks

  • Traveller14

    Traveller14

    19 Jan, 2019 09:50 am

    BWN is the most boring international airport to which I've ever been. My four single trips through it won't be repeated. Food "choices" appalling: very limited.
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  • Traveller14

    Traveller14

    19 Jan, 2019 09:55 am

    In the first paragraph, 'alternative routes across Asia' are mentioned. Correct but omitted is that northbound, with a 1730 hours departure, almost all same day connections to Asian ports will be unavailable, so overnighting in that direction is needed.

     
    As it does ex Melbourne, BI may pay STPC (a free overnight hotel, transfers and perhaps meals) but while it used to be a serious competitor to airlines like PR for passengers bound for MNL, it won't be now as the vast majority of travellers on a seven or eight hour flight ex Australia to southeast Asia don't want a stopover.
    No member give thanks

  • Austman

    Austman

    19 Jan, 2019 04:34 pm

    In the past, I've done BYO on some "dry" airlines. I've first asked the crew. So far it's been OK with them.

    I go days without alcohol at home, no problem. But I still like to have wine with dinner on airlines, especially in business class.
    No member give thanks

  • David Flynn

    David

    19 Jan, 2019 04:53 pm

    Several comments have been modified or deleted to remove discussions of politics. Please keep your comments on the topic of travel, and more specifically this article.
    No member give thanks

  • ZT

    ZT

    19 Jan, 2019 05:22 pm

    A drink on Royal Brunei is not a problem for the crew. Technically the alcohol must be served by a crew member in Australian airspace. Any alcohol greater than 100 ml must be purchased after you pass security in Australia. You are not able to consume any left over alcohol in the arrivals hall in Brunei. If you are transiting at Brunei the 100 ml alcohol limit will apply.
    No member give thanks

  • mannej

    mannej

    19 Jan, 2019 06:34 pm

    My in-laws flew LHR-DXB-BWN-PER nearly 10 years ago now. Cheap J fare so they were happy. They had an enforced layover in BWN for about ~18 hours or so as the Sultan commandeered their aircraft. They weren't fussed but interesting nonetheless
    No member give thanks

  • loopflyer

    loopflyer

    22 Jan, 2019 05:05 pm

    Besides the alcohol and Sharia aspects, Brunei airlines will not take Israeli passport holders. Entry into the country by Israeli passport holders/citizens is forbidden. They have no diplomatic relations and the Sultan is very strict about this. There are 14 other countries that ban Israeli citizens from entry. Enjoy your flight.
    No member give thanks

  • davidgfreeburn

    davidgfreeburn

    30 Mar, 2019 06:56 am

    why would you fly with these prehistoric throwbacks?
    Qantas just partnered with royal brunei. If you are gay you can literally be arrested and stoned to death for being gay! Thay is the penalty that is actually carried out in brunei! Last last qantas was so vical in the gay marriage debate...this year qantas are literally throwing gay people to the wolves...
    No member give thanks

  • Traveller14

    Traveller14

    30 Mar, 2019 08:39 am

    davidgfreeburn, that penalty has yet to be introduced but supposedly it will apply from next week. While many Australians do not approve of homosexuality or lesbianism, no one ought agree that stoning to death is appropriate as these activities have long been decriminalised here.

     
    There's also other horrendous penalties to apply in Brunei like cutting off one's right hand for an initial proven charge of theft, and removal of the left foot for a second such offence. These only apply to Muslims but are medieval.

    I've used this airline in the past but won't again. Nor will I ever visit Brunei again.
     
    While other countries have the death penalty for some offences - US, mainland China and Singapore among them - the moves by Brunei are abhorrent.
    No member give thanks

  • davidgfreeburn

    davidgfreeburn

    30 Mar, 2019 10:09 am

    Well articulated "traveller 14". It would be nice to be in a position on a global economical level,to be able to abstain from business interactions with any country that imposes sharia law on its citizens.

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21 Apr, 2019 05:02 pm

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