ROYAL BRUNEI AIRLINES review :  6 March 2009 : by Geoffrey Pawson  (UK)

London - Auckland return. Although the first leg of the flight was on one of the older aircraft, legroom was good, staff very attentive, food excellent and we reached the point where we had to turn down offers of soft drinks they were so plentiful. Brunei-Auckland leg and the return flights were on newer model planes and the only cause for complaint was the on demand entertainment system, which suffered a variety of faults. Knowing we had a 10 hour break in Brunei we arranged our own guided tour of the city, which took up at least 5 hours and was excellent value for money (although not connected with the airline) and would recommend that other travellers took the chance to see something of this fascinating kingdom.

ROYAL BRUNEI AIRLINES review :  1 March 2009 : by Kate Spencer  (UK)

London - Auckland return Business Class. The staff could not have been more attentive, the food was good, we had use of lounges at every airport. We never had to queue and our luggage was first off at each end. The alcohol rule was not a problem as the flight attendants were happy for us to bring our own on board and provided glasses, ice and mixers. We would certainly fly with them again, for the price they were excellent value.

ROYAL BRUNEI AIRLINES review :  16 February 2009 : by G Fulford  (Australia)

I recently flew Brisbane-Brunei-KL-Brunei-Brisbane. I had 3-4 hour delays on both inward legs, with no attempt to inform me. I arrived early, not wanting to be late, thus had to wait around two very poor international airports (Brisbane and Brunei) for ages. The flight back from Brunei to Brisbane was a shocker. The plane was fairly full, seat I was in was broken, the tray did not come out horizontally. When the people in front reclined their seats I could not see the video screen at all. OK, they are a budget airline, but Air Asia have much more modern planes in better condition. I was just glad the flight back was 6 hrs and not 12 hours.

ROYAL BRUNEI AIRLINES review :  3 February 2009 : by P Sommers  (New Zealand)

I know which I'd rather have (M Larkins 01-02-09). Having to sit with a child on your lap for 9 hours+ or allowing him to play and sleep on the floor. No worries with me, or the other parents doing the same on the flights we went on and the people around us.

ROYAL BRUNEI AIRLINES review :  1 February 2009 : by Mike Larkins  (USA)

So Royal Brunei Airlines FA's allow children to sleep on the floor of the cabin? (P Sommers, 01-31-09) Doesn't portray much about the safety standards of this carrier does it! Don't know what rule book they work with, but a real concern.

ROYAL BRUNEI AIRLINES review :  1 February 2009 : by A Mitic  (Malaysia)

A warning about this airline. The other day I flew from Perth to Brunei & the staff told us a new policy had been put in place which took effect on 1 Jan 2009. The policy strictly enforced the 20kg check-in baggage rule. Although 20kg has always been the standard check-in allowance, every other airline accepts a kg or two over & they don't usually start charging you till 25kg. However, Royal Brunei were even charging people for part of a kg. For example, if your luggage weighed 20.7kg you were charged for 1kg. Excess baggage charges were AUS$32/kg to Brunei & AUS$75 to London - with Malaysian airlines it's about $20/kg and on AirAsia X (which is a budget airline) it's only $5/kg. I was told by an airport staff member that perhaps they were doing this because Royal Brunei is like a budget airlin - not the case,when I had to pay $1200 for a return trip from Brunei to Perth. Three-quarters of the plane were sent to re-pack their luggage because of this ridiculous policy. The airport looked like a camping ground! People were throwing out clothes, shoes, food, toiletries etc. Had Royal Brunei informed their passengers, perhaps via email, that they were going to be so strict then people wouldn't have brought so much. At check-in the staff were also weighing the hand luggage & told us that it would be weighed again when we got off the plane in Brunei. That was a lie. Talking to other passengers on the plane, many said they would never fly Royal Brunei again. I certainly won't.

ROYAL BRUNEI AIRLINES review :  1 February 2009 : by D Vespasian  (France)

Brunei to Singapore. 08:00 flight, but airport at Bandar is perfectly easy to get through - ten minutes to airside and that includes checking a bag. Nice crew, reasonable seat and the food was pretty good. Cabin crew lack the polish of SQ and I would be reluctant to fly long- haul on Royal Brunei.

ROYAL BRUNEI AIRLINES review :  31 January 2009 : by P Sommers  (New Zealand)

LHR to AKL via Dubai and Brunei with our 15 month old son. We were again offered the bassinet even though he was technically too big - we took advantage of this for one sector, and on the rest of the flights we made him a bed on the floor and let him sleep there. The cabin crew were very attentive, taking our son from us to play with so we could have a little time to ourselves. The 8 hour stop in Brunei posed no problems - my wife slept in the baby room at the airport with our son in the cot provided, whilst I slept in the airport lounge. Whilst its not the most exciting airport to stop at, its clean and simple with an internet connection. All planes clean, although it was noticeable that Brunei to Auckland plane was an old plane with the old type screen at the front which I can appreciate some travellers not welcoming.

ROYAL BRUNEI AIRLINES review :  27 January 2009 : by M Lopez  (New Zealand)

I hope Royal Brunei Airlines can improve services to parents with children. I travelled with my 1 year old child, from Manila to Auckland alone. The flight Manila to Brunei was fine but the cabin crew from Brunei to Auckland was terrible! I asked a cabin crew to look after my son, so I could go to the toilet - but the crew refused. She told me she's not good with children - so I just put my son outside the door of the toilet door. I'm not very happy with their service, paying 500 US dollars for a one way ticket for a year old child.

ROYAL BRUNEI AIRLINES review :  27 January 2009 : by R Ives  (Australia)

Brisbane Brisbane-Brunei-Ho chi minh City return. Some problems with flight changes not experienced with larger airlines but hotel room supplied for stopover between flights. Food very good and the service was excellent. Lack of VOD was one bad point - we did have one 767 with VOD which partially worked and we were able to watch a couple of movies on the return flight to Brisbane.

ROYAL BRUNEI AIRLINES review :  24 January 2009 : by Sam Bates  (Australia)

Brisbane to Bangkok return via Brunei. I was a little unsure when we booked with RBA but I was pleasantly surprised. First plane was a little old but was very clean and tidy. All other planes on the flight were quite new - one flight having PTV. Fairly good leg room for economy class. Service was excellent - travelled with our 3 year old son and cabin crew were extremely friendly and understanding. Food very good and there was more then enough of it. We had a night stopover in Brunei both ways, giving a full day in Bandar Seri. All in all I was extremely impressed with RBA.

ROYAL BRUNEI AIRLINES review :  23 January 2009 : by K Barton  (New Zealand)

Auckland to London return with stopovers in Brunei and Dubai. We booked our tickets about 9 months in advance, and over those 9 months the flights were changed about 5 or 6 times. We started off with a 3 hour stopover in Brunei each way, and by the time we left we had a 10 hour stopover in Brunei each way! We couldn't do anything about it so looked at options for when we were in Brunei. Not very many options. We also had no idea there was a stopover in Dubai until we were on the flight! The plane from Auckland to Brunei was very old and there was just the one big screen for inflight movies. But we had a good amount of legroom and were able to relax and sleep. Once we got to Brunei we were left to ourselves, they tell you to wait at your gate for 10 hours! We met a Kiwi guy who told us that legally you must be given a hotel room if you are in transit for more than 8 hours. So we got given a room, very helpful of the Royal Brunei Airlines team at the airport. Unfortunately our flight was then delayed by another 3 hours, and then another hour after we got on the plane. Brunei to London via Dubai was fine, uneventful and we had personal entertainment. Not much leg room in the new planes though - and check toilets more regularly. Not so good to find a blocked toilet on a plane when at the beginning of a long flight! We got to London fine, just incredibly tired after travelling for around 42 hours. The flight to New Zealand was ok. To Brunei everything was fine. Once we got to Brunei we again asked for a hotel room, at which point we were told we should get our travel agent to book this. We explained on the way over we asked for the room and they gave it to us, and the girl said they wouldn't do that and we would have to book ourselves. The person serving us was the exact person who organised our room on the flight over! Royal Brunei will do anything to save themselves money, they either don't tell you about what your rights are in transit, or they refuse to help. The last leg Brunei to Auckland was ok. Our personal entertainment systems didn't work very well, my husband could barely use his remote and the picture on my screen was blurry. RBA food is ok, they did run out of options on the last leg of the flight which was annoying, but what they had available was fine so we weren't too bothered. I wouldn't fly this airline again - I would pay more money for an airline that has a shorter travelling time and staff who are a little more helpful.

ROYAL BRUNEI AIRLINES review :  23 January 2009 : by S Wilkinson  (Australia)

Brisbane to London Return. The best food of any airline I have flown. The entertainment system worked on every leg bar one where the personal unit just wouldn't go, but I was able to watch the overhead TV. On time for every stop and the cabin crew could not have done more. I was a little concerned about 767s and the extra stop in Dubai - however it turned out to be a great thing. That 1.5 hour stop in Dubai is a lifesaver. Stretch the legs, wander in a big space, shop for 20 minutes. I felt like a new man for the final leg and my young kids benefited greatly having that little break. On the plane seating is 2x3x2, so my two kids sat in front and my wife and I behind. No climbing over strangers to use the loo. We had the same seats on every leg. With a smaller plane the getting on and off took hardly any time. It made a big difference to our bottom line - $3000 is a lot of money when you are taking a young family away for 6 weeks.

ROYAL BRUNEI AIRLINES review :  20 January 2009 : by C Parry  (UK)

I hadn't heard of them when I booked my flight from the UK to Brisbane - went on the cheapest available and Brunei was the cheapest by a good stretch. Left LHR on time landed at Dubai for a refuel - through security back to the gate and back onboard the plane. Was a bit annoyed had to do all that just for a refuel. From there to Bandar seri Begawan - had an hour at that airport, nice and clean. Plane with PTV's - straight to BNE. The meals were okay - both myself and 14yr old son ate them. Iknew it was a dry flight so that didnt bother me - cabin crew always coming round offering soft drinks. From BNE was a bit disappointed there were no PTVs, only the pull down screens, and for a 6.5 hr journey with a 14yr old its not great fun! We were in the middle of the plane for this stretch - a bit squashed in all. At BWN had a 4hr stop there which went pretty quick for such a small airport - left there on time and hoping this plane would have PTV's which it did. We had window seats, we had the quick re-fuel at dubai and back to London on time. Again the food was fine, not great. Cabin crew were a nice friendly lot. All in all a great flight and great airline.

ROYAL BRUNEI AIRLINES review :  13 January 2009 : by G Koo   (Malaysia)

We had a 26 hour delay in Dubai Airport en route to which was managed very badly and the ground staff were rude and unhelpful. The driver employed to take us to the hotel caused an accident. Absolutely no compensation whatsoever. The hotel was full and some people had to sleep by the poolside, on loungers. Passengers had to negotiate with other airlines to gain access to the business class lounges because there was not enough seating for the elderly and infants while waiting.