Royal Brunei - didn't leave me feeling like a princess (Royal Brunei Airlines)

Member Name: dunner7

Product:	Royal Brunei Airlines
Date:	11/11/08 (152 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Techinically they couldn't be faulted

Disadvantages: Food, entertainment, no alcohol

I was really disappointed with Royal Brunei. I travelled with them in October 2006 when I was going on my honeymoon to Borneo. We booked with Responsible Travel and they recommended this airline as the cheapest and best way to get there.

The flights cost £750 each, which was quite expensive, as we had gotten to Sydney for cheaper on Emirates 9 months previous and it was at Christmas time too! We were flying from Heathrow so we stayed there the night before and got to the airport in plenty of time. There was a huge queue when we got there and it was only then we found out that the plane was stopping in Dubai on the way over. It hadn't even mentioned this when we were booking online and it looked like a direct flight.

They checked us in no problem but we had to run to the gates as they obviously were understaffed and we were there 3 hours before the time. Nevermind, I thought as I boarded the plane, I can watch a film, have a glass of wine and enjoy the flight!

I don't think so! There was no individual screen and instead a big screen that you had to crane you neck to try and see what was on. It didn't really matter though as the only entertainment was the film 'The Mask' and a 'Tiger Woods' documentary. I thought that this was ridiculous, especially because we had paid so much! It was only then that I found out that no alcohol was served on the flight either because it is a Muslim company. Well, that completely finished me off! I am quite a nervous flier and like to have a few glasses of wine to settle me when I am on a long haul flight.

To the defence of Royal Brunei, technically there was nothing wrong with the flight but the seats were worn and uncomfortable, the food was rotten, the entertainment was rubbish and there was no alcohol to soften the blow. Yes, I would expect that on a cheap charter flight but not for the price we paid.

While we were in Borneo most other people had flown to Kuala Lumpur with Emirates and then taken another flight to Borneo. I wish that is what we had done, as Emirates are amazing. With Royal Brunei we only got as far as Brunei and had to take another flight anyway.

Verdict: I would never travel with them again. I have travelled to Oz twice with Emirates and once with Singapore Airlines and they are pure comfort!

Summary: Not for me, even if they halved the flights!