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.
David Flynn is the Editor-in-Chief of Executive Traveller and a bit of a travel tragic with a weakness for good coffee, shopping and lychee martinis.
25 Oct 2017
Total posts 61
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.
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
09 Feb 2015
Total posts 388
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.
19 Aug 2011
Total posts 55
25 Jun 2013
Total posts 43
Nice to have them return to QLD.
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
04 Nov 2017
Total posts 348
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.
03 May 2013
Total posts 680
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.
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
16 Jan 2018
Total posts 128
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.
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
11 Oct 2014
Total posts 691
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.
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
02 Apr 2017
Total posts 132
I don't think he was comparing QF and BI, he was comparing Royal Brunei's 787 to their A320.
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
16 Jan 2018
Total posts 128
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.
03 May 2013
Total posts 680
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
09 Nov 2018
Total posts 103
BI fares in both J and Y are always very competitive! Have used them up to asia and paid $1800 return in Business.
17 Sep 2015
Total posts 371
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.
24 Oct 2010
Total posts 2561
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.
04 May 2015
Total posts 261
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.
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
11 Oct 2014
Total posts 691
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.
24 Oct 2010
Total posts 2561
A very well-reasoned response, thanks kimshep!
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
02 Apr 2017
Total posts 132
Well-reasoned response by kimshep aside, the fact is that in the corportate world, there are a lot of high-functioning alcoholics.
Delta Air Lines - SkyMiles
16 Oct 2017
Total posts 157
Pretty lame J product for 7 hours.
Virgin Australia - Velocity Rewards
06 Mar 2015
Total posts 231
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.
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
09 Feb 2015
Total posts 388
I believe non muslims are still allowed to bring in a specified quantity of alcohol.
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
04 Nov 2011
Total posts 359
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....
Singapore Airlines - KrisFlyer
14 Jun 2017
Total posts 49
I will often go without - but on my terms, not some country’s verging-totalitarian laws. I’ll fly with someone else.
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
28 Oct 2011
Total posts 467
You're told you can't smoke, either - is that a problem?
14 Jun 2013
Total posts 352
If you don't want to "fly dry" from Brisbane to London you can choose to fly with at least a dozen other airlines.
China Airlines - Dynasty Flyer
22 Sep 2012
Total posts 73
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.
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
02 Apr 2017
Total posts 132
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
01 Nov 2018
Total posts 81
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
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
22 Jul 2015
Total posts 219
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.
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
09 Jan 2013
Total posts 10
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
01 Apr 2018
Total posts 13
What bothers me more is the single aisle for 7 hours.
20 May 2015
Total posts 579
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...
06 Oct 2018
Total posts 10
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.
Virgin Australia - Velocity Rewards
06 Mar 2015
Total posts 231
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.
Virgin Australia - Velocity Rewards
19 Jan 2019
Total posts 2
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
17 Sep 2015
Total posts 371
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.
17 Sep 2015
Total posts 371
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.
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
09 Jan 2013
Total posts 10
24 Oct 2010
Total posts 2561
07 Jan 2017
Total posts 30
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.
QF
21 May 2014
Total posts 24
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
13 Nov 2015
Total posts 49
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.
Etihad - Etihad Guest
30 Mar 2019
Total posts 2
why would you fly with these prehistoric throwbacks?
17 Sep 2015
Total posts 371
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.
Etihad - Etihad Guest
30 Mar 2019
Total posts 2
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.
Hi Guest, join in the discussion on Royal Brunei will fly to Brisbane from June