Royal Brunei Airlines celebrated a significant milestone last month, with the 40th anniversary of the airline’s commencement as an independent corporation owned by the Brunei Government.
The airline has come a long way since it began flying some months later in May 1975 when the first flight departed Brunei’s capital, Bandar Seri Begawan for Singapore.
After building an extensive service into key regional Asian markets such as Hong Kong, Malaysia, Manila and Bangkok, it stretched its wings to fly Down Under for the first time in 1983 and later to Dubai in 1988. This was soon followed by the acquisition of its first B767-300ER aircraft, enabling it to fly to London, Gatwick in 1990.
More recently in 2010, RB introduced Royal Brunei Holidays, offering value for money deals locally and internationally.
Australia was once again in the limelight in 2011 with the inaugural flight into Melbourne. Three years later, in April 2014, the airline reached its most recent highlight with the introduction of four Boeing 787 Dreamliners, which now depart daily from Melbourne to Brunei and onward.
In October, the airline reintroduced flights to Ho Chi Minh City following the inaugural departure from Brunei on October 17.
Looking ahead, in 2017 RB will take delivery of seven new Airbus A320NEOs, which will service the Asian market, including the recently added Denpasar airport in Bali. The new aircraft will increase the airline’s efficiency levels, with a 15 per cent reduction in fuel usage and a greatly reduced environmental footprint.
The new 787 provides passengers with an unrivalled travel experience in a quieter, more spacious cabin. Over-sized touch-screen dimmable windows and the new LED lighting system are designed to minimise jetlag and the airline’s “Food Fit to Fly By” philosophy means you can enjoy light and healthy in-flight meals. Passengers from Melbourne can now enjoy a seamless Dreamliner experience all the way to Brunei and beyond to Dubai and London Heathrow.
