Royal Brunei AirlinesBI

Royal Brunei Airlines is the flag carrier of Brunei Darussalam, established in 1974 with a single Boeing 737-200. Headquartered in Bandar Seri Begawan and operating from Brunei International Airport (BWN), the airline has grown to serve destinations across Southeast Asia, Australia, the Middle East, and Europe with a modern fleet of Airbus A320neo and Boeing 787 Dreamliner aircraft.

As an airline from an Islamic nation, Royal Brunei is a dry airline—no alcohol is served on any flight. This reflects Bruneian culture and Islamic principles, though many passengers appreciate the focus on premium service and hospitality without the bar service common on other carriers. Royal Brunei is not a member of any major airline alliance but maintains codeshare agreements with several partners.

The airline is known for its warm Malay hospitality, competitive fares to Australia and the Middle East, and generous baggage allowances. Business Class passengers enjoy fully flat beds on long-haul Dreamliner flights, while Economy passengers benefit from 30kg checked baggage—more generous than many competitors.

Carry-On Allowance

Class	Pieces	Weight (each)	Dimensions
Economy	1 piece	7 kg (15 lbs)	56 x 36 x 23 cm (22" x 14" x 9")
Business	2 pieces	7 kg each (14 kg total)	56 x 36 x 23 cm each

Personal Item: One additional item (laptop bag, handbag, small camera bag) included on all fares. Must fit under the seat.

Total Linear Dimensions: 115 cm (45 in) including handles and wheels.

Checked Baggage - Weight Concept

Royal Brunei uses a weight concept system with one of the most generous Economy allowances in the industry.

All Routes:

Fare/Class	Allowance	Notes
Economy Lite	20 kg (44 lbs)	Some promotional fares
Economy Standard	30 kg (66 lbs)	Most Economy fares
Business	40 kg (88 lbs)	All Business fares

Size & Weight Limits:

• Maximum linear dimensions: 158 cm / 62 in (length + width + height)
• Maximum weight per bag: 32 kg (70 lbs)
• Multiple bags allowed within total weight allowance

Elite Status Benefits

Status	Bonus Allowance
Royal Skies Platinum	+20 kg extra
Royal Skies Gold	+10 kg extra
Royal Skies Silver	+5 kg extra

Excess Baggage Fees

Excess baggage is charged per kilogram, with rates varying by route zone:

Route Zone	Approximate Rate
ASEAN (short-haul)	BND 8-12 per kg (~USD 6-9)
Australia / Middle East	BND 15-25 per kg (~USD 11-19)
London	BND 20-30 per kg (~USD 15-22)

Pre-Purchase Discount: Book extra baggage online through Manage My Booking for discounted rates compared to airport purchase.

Special Items

Item	Fee	Notes
Golf clubs	Standard	Counts toward weight allowance
Skis/snowboard	Standard	Counts toward weight allowance
Bicycle	Standard	Must be boxed, max 32 kg
Surfboard	Standard	Counts toward allowance
Car seat	Free	Gate-check available
Stroller	Free	Gate-check available
Wheelchair	Free	Doesn't count toward allowance

Infant Allowance: Passengers with infants (under 2) receive one additional 10 kg checked baggage allowance plus a foldable stroller.

Fees as of January 2025. Verify at flyroyalbrunei.com/baggage.

Business Class

Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner (Long-Haul):

Feature	Details
Configuration	1-2-1 (all aisle access)
Pitch	60" (152 cm)
Width	22" (56 cm)
Bed	180-degree fully flat, 78" (198 cm)
Screen	15.4" HD touchscreen
Power	AC outlet + USB
Headphones	Noise-cancelling provided

Business Class on the Dreamliner features fully flat beds, direct aisle access for all passengers, and the airline's signature hospitality. Long-haul routes to London, Melbourne, and Dubai offer the best Business Class experience.

Airbus A320neo (Regional):

Feature	Details
Configuration	2-2
Seats	12 seats
Pitch	40" (102 cm)
Width	20" (51 cm)
Recline	Enhanced recliner
Amenities	Pillow, blanket, amenity kit

Economy Class

Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner:

Feature	Details
Configuration	3-3-3
Pitch	32" (81 cm)
Width	17.5" (44 cm)
Recline	5" (13 cm)
Screen	10.6" HD touchscreen
Power	USB ports at every seat
Windows	Large Dreamliner windows with electronic dimming

Airbus A320neo:

Feature	Details
Configuration	3-3
Pitch	31-32" (79-81 cm)
Width	18" (46 cm)
Screen	Overhead monitors or streaming
Power	USB ports

In-Flight Entertainment

• RB Studio: On-demand entertainment on Dreamliner with 100+ movies, TV shows, music
• Seatback touchscreens on 787 fleet
• Content includes Hollywood, Asian cinema, Malay programming
• WiFi available on Dreamliner fleet (fee-based)

Dining

Important: Royal Brunei is a dry airline—no alcohol is served on any flight. This is a reflection of Brunei's Islamic culture. Non-alcoholic beverages include juices, soft drinks, tea, and coffee.

Business Class:

• Multi-course meal service with choice of Asian and Western options
• Premium coffee and tea service
• Local Malay cuisine specialties
• Pre-order special meals 48 hours before departure

Economy Class:

• Complimentary meals on all international flights
• Halal-certified cuisine
• Choice of Asian and Western dishes
• Malaysian and Bruneian specialties including nasi lemak
• Special dietary meals (vegetarian, diabetic, etc.) available with 48-hour advance request

Service Philosophy

Royal Brunei emphasizes traditional Malay hospitality without the "party atmosphere" of some carriers. The dry policy creates a quieter, more family-friendly cabin environment that many passengers, including non-Muslims, appreciate.

Booking

• Book directly on flyroyalbrunei.com for best flexibility with changes
• The 30 kg Economy baggage allowance is excellent—factor this into price comparisons
• London via Dubai is competitive with Emirates/Qatar for UK-Australia routing
• Check for "RB Getaways" promotional fares with included hotel packages
• Join Royal Skies before booking to start earning immediately

At the Airport

• BWN is a small, efficient airport—60 minutes is sufficient for most connections
• Sky Lounge opens 2.5 hours before departure
• Duty-free shopping at BWN is reasonably priced
• Prayer rooms available throughout the terminal
• Transit through Dubai is smooth with 1-2 hour stopover

Dry Airline Expectations

• No alcohol is served—not even for purchase in Business Class
• This creates a quieter, family-friendly environment
• Bring your own entertainment if you typically enjoy a drink during flights
• Excellent non-alcoholic beverage selection including fresh juices
• Many passengers find the atmosphere more relaxed

Upgrades

• Same-day upgrades available at check-in when space permits
• Royal Skies miles can be used for upgrade awards
• Cash upgrades sometimes offered at check-in
• Business Class on Dreamliner routes is significantly better than A320neo regional

Earning Miles

• Royal Skies has no alliance, limiting partner earning options
• Book through flyroyalbrunei.com to ensure mileage credit
• Consider status match offers if you have status with other airlines
• Miles expire after 36 months—use or extend them

In-Flight

• Pre-order special meals at least 48 hours before departure
• Window seats on 787 get the large Dreamliner windows with electronic dimming
• Halal food is default and excellent quality
• Business Class flat bed on Dreamliner is ideal for long-haul rest
• Download entertainment content to the app before flight if streaming

Common Issues

• 7 kg carry-on limit is enforced—weigh your bag before arriving
• No alcohol, even in Business Class (brings your own is prohibited)
• Limited partner airline options for earning/redeeming miles
• London route requires Dubai transit—factor this into travel time
• Promotional fares may have reduced baggage (20 kg vs 30 kg)
• Call wait times can be long—try online chat or Manage My Booking first

Best Value Routes

• Australia: Competitive pricing vs. Singapore Airlines and Malaysia Airlines with generous baggage
• UK via Dubai: Alternative to Emirates/Qatar, often cheaper
• Southeast Asia: Good option from BWN to regional destinations
• Jeddah: Popular for Hajj and Umrah pilgrimage traffic