Royal Brunei Airlines expands deliveries of its four B787-9s on order from 2028, adding to its fleet of 12 aircraft.

Image: Flyingphotos IA

 

ROUTES - Royal Brunei Airlines launches non-stop Heathrow service

Royal Brunei Airlines (BI, Bandar Seri Begawan) has launched a non-stop B787-8 service between Bandar Seri Begawan and London Heathrow as of March 10, 2026. The route, operated 3x weekly, temporarily replaces the carrier's fifth-freedom Bandar Seri Begawan-Dubai International-London Heathrow service, which became unviable due to the ongoing security situation in the Middle East. According to ch-aviation schedules data, the non-stop flights are currently available only until March 26, 2026.

CH Aviation / Photo: Royal Brunei

ROUTES - Royal Brunei Airlines plans Bandar Seri Begawan – London Gatwick route on 22 July 2025 ,with B787-8.

Photo: Flyingphotos
 

FLEET / ORDER - Royal Brunei Airlines Orders Four Boeing 787 Dreamliners

- National flag carrier to add 787-9s to its fleet as regional travel demand grows

- Southeast Asia's first 787 operator continues commitment to world-class travel experience

SINGAPORE, Feb. 20, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Boeing [NYSE: BA] and Royal Brunei Airlines today announced the airline's purchase of four 787 Dreamliners to renew its widebody fleet. Royal Brunei Airlines' selection of the 787-9 supports the airline's long-term growth strategy, sustainability goals and focus on passenger comfort.

"The forthcoming arrival of the 787-9 Dreamliner symbolizes a bold step forward in our ongoing journey toward innovation and excellence," said Sabirin bin Haji Abdul Hamid, CEO of Royal Brunei Airlines. "Royal Brunei Airlines has been operating the 787-8 for the last 10 years and this order will ensure we continue with a product that our customers have come to enjoy. In our constant effort to offer unparalleled service matched with the highest safety standards to our guests, the new fleet will allow us the potential to tap into new growth areas, strengthening our market appeal and enabling us to provide a superior travel experience to our guests."

Royal Brunei Airlines was the first Southeast Asian carrier to fly the 787 Dreamliner over a decade ago. With this 787-9 order, which was finalized in February and will be posted on Boeing's Orders & Deliveries, the airline can fly more passengers and cargo farther while operating more efficiently.

"By renewing its investment in the 787 Dreamliner, Royal Brunei Airlines will continue to connect Brunei with the world while offering the carrier's signature service and comfort to passengers," said Brad McMullen, Boeing senior vice president of Commercial Sales and Marketing. "The 787-9 will deliver the versatility, efficiency and range that Royal Brunei Airlines desires to pursue increasing air travel and tourism opportunities."

Royal Brunei Airlines currently operates five 787-8s, serving destinations in Asia, Australia, the Middle East and the United Kingdom. The 787-9, which can carry nearly 20% more passengers than the 787-8 and fly 14,010 km (7,565 nautical miles), will support the carrier's growing capacity needs on these medium- and long-haul routes.

Boeing's 2023 Commercial Market Outlook forecasts 6.9% annual fleet growth and nearly 4,300 airplanes will be delivered in Southeast Asia over the next 20 years. Royal Brunei Airlines' latest 787 order highlights growing widebody demand in Southeast Asia.

Enhanced comfort features of the 787 family include air that is more humid and pressurized at a lower cabin altitude, as well as technology that counters turbulence. The 787 Dreamliner family also reduces fuel use and emissions by up to 25% compared to the airplanes it replaces.

As a leading global aerospace company, Boeing develops, manufactures and services commercial airplanes, defense products and space systems for customers in more than 150 countries. As a top U.S. exporter, the company leverages the talents of a global supplier base to advance economic opportunity, sustainability and community impact. Boeing's diverse team is committed to innovating for the future, leading with sustainability, and cultivating a culture based on the company's core values of safety, quality and integrity. Join our team and find your purpose at boeing.com/careers.

 

ROYAL BRUNEI AIRLINES - A320 NEO - F-WWBN msn 8360 /

Alain Charpentier - TLS

Royal Brunei takes delivery of its first A320neo

Royal Brunei Airlines is adding A320neo jetliners to a fleet of A320 Family aircraft operated by the carrier since 2003

Bringing new levels of efficiency for the carrier’s regional network

Royal Brunei Airlines (RBA) has taken delivery of its first A320neo aircraft during an event in Toulouse, France attended by Karam Chand, RBA Chief Executive Officer: Her Excellency Datin Paduka Malai Hajah Halimah binti Malai Haji Yussof, Ambassador of Brunei Darussalam to France; and Eric Schulz, Airbus Chief Commercial Officer.

The aircraft is the first of seven A320neo ordered by the airline under its single aisle fleet renewal programme. Powered by CFM International LEAP-1A26 engines, the new aircraft features a premium three class layout with 12 business class seats, 18 economy plus and 120 in the main cabin. The airline will operate the aircraft on its extensive regional network.

Royal Brunei has been flying A320 Family aircraft since 2003 and currently operates a fleet of six A320ceo jets.

The A320neo Family incorporates the very latest technologies including new generation engines and Sharklets, which together deliver at least 15 percent fuel savings at delivery and 20 percent by 2020. With more than 6,000 orders received from 100 customers, the A320neo Family has captured nearly 60 percent share of the market.

Royal Brunei NW18 long-haul service changes

Royal Brunei on Monday (21MAY18) announced long-haul service changes, scheduled to commence on 28OCT18. The airline’s sole European service to London Heathrow, will be operating on nonstop basis, replacing existing 1-stop service via Dubai. Planned changes as follows.



effective till 27OCT18
Bandar Seri Begawan – Dubai – London Heathrow 1 daily 787-8
BI097 BWN1950 – 0005+1DXB0135+1 – 0555+1LHR 787 4
BI097 BWN2025 – 0040+1DXB0150+1 – 0625+1LHR 787 x4
BI098 LHR1745 – 0345+1DXB0515+1 – 1730+1BWN 787 D

effective from 28OCT18
Bandar Seri Begawan – Dubai 4 weekly 787-8
BI007 BWN0020 – 0500DXB 787 x246
BI008 DXB0600 – 1800BWN 787 x246

Bandar Seri Begawan – London Heathrow 1 daily 787-8
BI003 BWN0015 – 0650LHR 787 D
BI004 LHR1705 – 1440+1BWN 787 D

Bandar Seri Begawan – Melbourne Schedule change for Melbourne departure, moving from noon to evening hours. 1 daily 787-8
BI005 BWN1900 – 0500+1MEL 787 D
BI006 MEL1840 – 2240BWN 787 D

The adjustment marks the launch of airline’s nonstop service to Europe, bypassing The Middle East. The airline launched European service in 1990, initially operating with Boeing 757, via points in the Middle East. Operational dates listed below is based on data from OAG, actual launch date may vary.

01JUN90 – 31AUG91 Bandar Seri Begawan – Bangkok – Dubai – Frankfurt (2 weekly)
21NOV90 – 31MAY91 Bandar Seri Begawan – Singapore – Dubai – London Gatwick (2 weekly)

Boeing 767 introduced from June 1991, which saw the airline operated various routing up to October 2018 (including Boeing 787 in recent years):
Bandar Seri Begawan – Abu Dhabi – London Heathrow
Bandar Seri Begawan – Bangkok – Abu Dhabi – Frankfurt
Bandar Seri Begawan – Bangkok – Dubai – Frankfurt
Bandar Seri Begawan – Bangkok – Frankfurt
Bandar Seri Begawan – Bangkok – Sharjah – Frankfurt
Bandar Seri Begawan – Dubai – Frankfurt – London Heathrow
Bandar Seri Begawan – Dubai – London Heathrow
Bandar Seri Begawan – Kuala Lumpur – Bahrain – Zurich
Bandar Seri Begawan – Singapore – Dubai – London Heathrow
Bandar Seri Begawan – Yangon – Abu Dhabi – London Heathrow

Service to London Heathrow was launched in June 1991, replacing Gatwick; Zurich was offered between 1993 and 1996, Frankfurt served until September 2007

By Jim Liu - Routesonline

Royal Brunei to switch out A319s for A320s; mulls A321neoLRs

Royal Brunei Airlines (BI, Bandar Seri Begawan) is planning to replace its two A319-100s with a pair of A320-200 (sl)s during September and October of this year as it kicks off its fleet renewal programme. The aircraft - V8-RBW (cn 6771) and V8-RBX (cn 6816) - are on lease from Irish-based lessor Ansett Worldwide Aviation Services (AWAS).

 CAPA said in a report that as part of its 2015-2021 Five Year Plan, the South East Asian carrier will, by end of 2018, replace four existing A320s with the first of seven A320neo variants on order from Airbus Industrie (AIB, Toulouse Blagnac). A further three A320neo options may be exercised in which case they will only arrive after April 2021 if firmed.

 The A321neo and its Long Range variant are also being studied as they would allow Royal Brunei to add narrow-body capacity on short-haul routes that are currently slot constrained such as Hong Kong Chek Lap Kok, Manila, and Shanghai Pudong. The upgraded A320's improved efficiency and range will also allow Royal Brunei to open up new routes to north Asia and India, while resuming those in Australia suspended in 2011 owing to unfavourable widebody fleet economics.

 Currently, Royal Brunei uses its A320 Family fleet to serve Bangkok Suvarnabhumi, Denpasar, Ho Chi Minh City, Hong Kong Chek Lap Kok, Jakarta Soekarno-Hatta, Kota Kinabalu, Kuala Lumpur Int'l, Manila, Shanghai Pudong, Singapore Changi, and Surabaya. 

ch-aviation

Royal Brunei Assigns Boeing 787 Service to Singapore from late-July 2014

Royal Brunei starting 25JUL14 plans to operate Boeing 787 aircraft on Bandar Seri Begawan – Singapore once again, where it plans to operate on 2 of 14 weekly service. Planned 787 operation as follow.

BI423 BWN1830 – 2035SIN 787 57
BI424 SIN2135 – 2340BWN 787 57
Routes Online

Royal Brunei Adds Boeing 787 Service to Kota Kinabalu / Manila in Oct/Nov 2013

Royal Brunei has updated planned Boeing 787 regional operation for October and November 2013. Based on latest changes, the 787 is also scheduled to operate service to Manila and Kota Kinabalu. Planned Boeing 787 operation from 18OCT13 to 30NOV13 as follow.


Bandar Seri Begawan – Singapore 18OCT13 – 30NOV13 12 – 14 weekly
BI421 BWN0915 – 1120SIN 787 x36
BI423 BWN1830 – 2035SIN 787 D
BI422 SIN1205 – 1415BWN 787 x36
BI424 SIN2120 – 2330BWN 787 D
BI421/422 from 20OCT13; daily service from 31OCT13


Bandar Seri Begawan – Manila 23OCT13 – 30NOV13 2 weekly
BI683 BWN1200 – 1405MNL 787 37
BI684 MNL1505 – 1710BWN 787 37

Boeing 787 operates BI683/684 on 26OCT13 (Day 6) instead of 27OCT13 (Day 7)

Bandar Seri Begawan – Kuala Lumpur 01NOV13 – 30NOV13 11 weekly
BI871 BWN0900 – 1115KUL 787 x137
BI873 BWN1810 – 2025KUL 787 D
BI872 KUL1155 – 1415BWN 787 x137
BI874 KUL2110 – 2330BWN 787 D
BI871/872 sees one-off Boeing 787 service on 19OCT13

Bandar Seri Begawan – Kota Kinabalu 03NOV13 – 30NOV13
BI821 BWN0710 – 0750BKI 787 1
BI825 BWN1625 – 1705BKI 787 x357
BI822 BKI0850 – 0930BWN 787 1
BI826 BKI1805 – 1845BWN 787 x357

Planned Boeing 787 operation remains subject to change.
Routes online

Brunei Plans Boeing 787 Service to Singapore / Kuala Lumpur in Oct/Nov 2013

Royal Brunei from late-October 2013 is to debut Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner on its South East Asia service, before long-haul service entry on 01DEC13 (See report on 12SEP13). Initially, BI to operate Boeing 787 aircraft on flights to Singapore and Kuala Lumpur route until 30NOV13.

Bandar Seri Begawan – Singapore 19OCT13 – 30NOV13 12 – 14 weekly
BI421 BWN0915 – 1120SIN 787 x36
BI423 BWN1830 – 2035SIN 787 D

BI422 SIN1205 – 1415BWN 787 x36
BI424 SIN2120 – 2330BWN 787 D

BI421/422 from 20OCT13; daily service from 31OCT13

Bandar Seri Begawan – Kuala Lumpur 01NOV13 – 30NOV13 11 weekly
BI871 BWN0900 – 1115KUL 787 x137
BI873 BWN1810 – 2025KUL 787 D

BI872 KUL1155 – 1415BWN 787 x137
BI874 KUL2110 – 2330BWN 787 D



Planned Boeing 787 operation remains subject to change.

Royal Brunei to Start Boeing 787 Operation from December 2013

Royal Brunei on Thursday (12SEP13) opened reservation for its Boeing 787 operation. First Boeing 787 route opened for reservation is Bandar Seri Begawan – Dubai – London Heathrow, scheduled to start from 01DEC13 (DXB/LHR departure from 02DEC13).

BI097 BWN2100 – 0140+1DXB0300+1 – 0640+1LHR 787 D
BI098 LHR1705 – 0410+1DXB0535+1 – 1730+1BWN 787 D



Royal Brunei’s 2-class 254-seater Boeing 787 includes 18 Business Class seats (2-2-2) and 236 Economy Class seats (3-3-3).

Airline Routes 

Photo:Royal Brunei

ROYAL BRUNEI - A320-200, V8-RBT

Alexandre Mourinha - Kuala Lampur

ROYAK BRUNEI - B767-200, V8-MHB

Ton Jochems - AMS

Royal Brunei Airlines (RBA) has unveiled a new livery and logo.

Image:Royal Brunei

ROYAL BRUNEI - B777-200ER, V8-BLA

Fumiaki Seno - NRT