Royal Brunei Airlines (ICAO: RBA) is the national flag carrier of Brunei, known for its focus on Bruneian hospitality and a modern fleet.
Royal Brunei Airlines (RB) was established on November 18, 1974, as the flag carrier of Brunei, wholly owned by the Government of Brunei Darussalam. Its inaugural flight took off on May 14, 1975, connecting Bandar Seri Begawan with Singapore, Hong Kong, Kota Kinabalu, and Kuching, utilizing an initial fleet of two Boeing 737-200 aircraft. The airline's main hub and operational base is Brunei International Airport (BWN), located in Bandar Seri Begawan, the capital city.
The current fleet primarily comprises Boeing 787-8 Dreamliners for its long-haul routes and Airbus A320neo aircraft for regional and short-haul operations. The airline's route network is international, serving 22-32 destinations across Asia (including Southeast Asia, China, Japan, South Korea, Taiwan, India, Hong Kong, Philippines), the Middle East (Dubai, Jeddah), Australia (Melbourne, Brisbane, Perth), and Europe (London Heathrow). Royal Brunei Airlines is not a member of any major global airline alliance such as Star Alliance, SkyTeam, or Oneworld. However, it maintains codeshare agreements with several airlines, including Malaysia Airlines, Thai Airways, and Garuda Indonesia, and a marketing partnership with Singapore Airlines.
Royal Brunei Airlines offers two main cabin classes: Business Class and Economy Class. Business Class on the Boeing 787 Dreamliner features comfortable lie-flat seats, priority boarding, and access to airport lounges. Economy Class provides ergonomic seating with adjustable headrests, in-flight entertainment, complimentary meals, and power outlets. A notable characteristic of Royal Brunei Airlines, adhering to Brunei's Islamic principles, is that it operates as a "dry" airline, meaning no alcoholic beverages are served onboard. The airline also provides halal meals to its passengers. Its frequent flyer program is called Royal Skies.
Traveler reviews for Royal Brunei Airlines generally highlight a positive experience, though with some recurring areas for improvement.
What Travelers Love:
Common Complaints:
Overall, Royal Brunei Airlines is often regarded as a good, reliable airline, particularly praised for its exceptional cabin crew and comfortable long-haul experience at competitive prices. However, modernizing its in-flight entertainment and improving online functionalities and consistency in food service could further enhance the passenger experience.
Royal Brunei Airlines maintains a strong overall safety record. The airline has received a 7-star safety rating from AirlineRatings.com. In 2021, it also received the highest seven-star rating for its COVID-19 response from airlineratings.com. The airline emphasizes that safety is its main priority and that it never compromises on it.
The most notable incident in the airline's history was the crash of Royal Brunei Airlines Flight 839 in 1997. This Dornier 228 aircraft, owned by Royal Brunei Airlines but operated and maintained by Malaysian regional carrier Hornbill Airways, crashed on approach to Miri, resulting in the deaths of all 10 people on board. Since this incident, Royal Brunei Airlines has maintained a fatality-free record. More recent, non-fatal incidents include an engine shutdown on a Boeing 787 near Manila in 2015, a cargo fire indication on a Boeing 777 in 2012, and a power bank in thermal runaway on an Airbus A320neo in 2019.
Royal Brunei Airlines has passed all 3 of 3 audits it has undergone, according to AirlineRatings.com. While specific mentions of IOSA or FAA certifications are not detailed in the provided information, the high safety rating and international operations imply adherence to stringent global aviation standards.
The airline operates a relatively modern fleet. As of September 2022, the average age of its fleet was 6.3 years, with Boeing 787-8 Dreamliners averaging 7.9 years and Airbus A320neo aircraft averaging 4.1 years. As of December 2024, the five Boeing 787-8 Dreamliners averaged 10.1 years, and the seven Airbus A320neos averaged 6.4 years, bringing the overall fleet average to 8.3 years. The airline is currently undertaking a fleet renewal program, including an order for four Boeing 787-9 aircraft, aiming for a complete fleet renewal and one of the youngest fleets in the Asia/Pacific region. Maintenance and overhaul operations are reportedly conducted both in-house by Royal Brunei Engineering and by overseas partners like Air France or Lufthansa.
Based on available data, Royal Brunei Airlines maintains a strong overall safety assessment. Its high safety rating, fatality-free record since 1997, and ongoing fleet modernization efforts contribute to its reputation as a safe airline.
| Route | Destination | Flights | Distance | Aircraft | Last Seen |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| BWN → KUL |
Kuala Lumpur Int'l
Sepang
|
143 | 926 mi | A20N | Dec 11, 2025 |
| BWN → SIN |
Singapore Changi
Singapore
|
138 | 795 mi | A20N | Dec 11, 2025 |
| BWN → BKI |
Kota Kinabalu Int'l
Kota Kinabalu
|
100 | 103 mi | A20N | Dec 11, 2025 |
| BWN → MNL |
Manila Int'l
Metro Manila
|
66 | 781 mi | A20N | Dec 11, 2025 |
| BWN → HKG |
Hong Kong Int'l
Hong Kong
|
61 | 1203 mi | A20N | Dec 9, 2025 |
| BWN → CGK |
Jakarta-Soekarno-Hatta Int'l
Tangerang
|
60 | 955 mi | A20N | Dec 9, 2025 |
| BWN → SUB |
Juanda Int'l
Surabaya
|
56 | 865 mi | A20N | Dec 11, 2025 |
| BWN → BKK |
Suvarnabhumi Bangkok Int'l
Bangkok
|
55 | 1140 mi | A20N | Dec 9, 2025 |
| BWN → MEL |
Melbourne Tullamarine
Melbourne
|
53 | 3520 mi | B788 | Dec 11, 2025 |
| BWN → KCH |
Kuching Int'l
Kuching
|
49 | 397 mi | A20N | Dec 8, 2025 |
| BWN → NRT |
Narita Int'l
Tokyo (Narita)
|
39 | 2678 mi | A20N | Dec 11, 2025 |
| BWN → ICN |
Incheon Int'l
Seoul (Incheon)
|
35 | 2364 mi | A20N | Dec 8, 2025 |
| BWN → TPE |
Taiwan Taoyuan Int'l
Taipei
|
34 | 1454 mi | A20N | Dec 8, 2025 |
| BWN → SGN |
Tan Son Nhat Int'l
Ho Chi Minh City
|
33 | 697 mi | A20N | Dec 8, 2025 |
| BWN → DXB |
Dubai Int'l
Dubai
|
31 | 4181 mi | B788 | Dec 11, 2025 |
| SIN → BWN |
Brunei Int'l
Bandar Seri Begawan
|
31 | 795 mi | A20N | Nov 7, 2025 |
| BWN → MAA |
Chennai Int'l
Chennai / Madras
|
25 | 2435 mi | A20N | Dec 11, 2025 |
| BWN → BPN |
Sepinggan Int'l
Balikpapan
|
23 | 451 mi | A20N | Dec 9, 2025 |
| BWN → NNG |
Nanning Wuxu Int'l
Nanning
|
22 | 1303 mi | A20N | Dec 9, 2025 |
| BWN → PKX |
Beijing Daxing International Airport
Beijing
|
21 | 2392 mi | A20N | Dec 7, 2025 |
| BWN → JED |
King Abdulaziz Int'l
Jeddah
|
21 | 5185 mi | B788 | Dec 9, 2025 |
| SUB → BWN |
Brunei Int'l
Bandar Seri Begawan
|
14 | 865 mi | A20N | Dec 5, 2025 |
| KUL → BWN |
Brunei Int'l
Bandar Seri Begawan
|
14 | 926 mi | A20N | Nov 15, 2025 |
| PKX → BWN |
Brunei Int'l
Bandar Seri Begawan
|
13 | 2392 mi | A20N | Dec 8, 2025 |
| BKI → BWN |
Brunei Int'l
Bandar Seri Begawan
|
12 | 103 mi | A20N | Dec 8, 2025 |
Airline statistics are based on flight route observations collected from FlightAware AeroAPI and other sources. Flight counts represent observed operations, not scheduled frequencies. Route data is continuously updated as new flight information becomes available.