Experiencing Business Class on Royal Jordanian: Flight from Bangkok to Amman

What to Know About Royal Jordanian Business Class

During my birthday trip to the Golden Triangle, I had the chance to experience Royal Jordanian's business class aboard a Boeing 787-8 from Bangkok (BKK) to Amman (AMM), with a flight time of about 9 hours and 5 minutes. Flying business class is always a treat, but I found myself disappointed with several aspects of Royal Jordanian's service, despite a few positive highlights.

Initial Impressions

First off, the seat was quite comfortable, especially since no one was seated next to me. The bedding was decent, and the Wi-Fi was free with an acceptable speed. However, I felt there was a lack of attention to customer care in many basic areas, from the service provided by the crew to the cleanliness and quality of the food.

Booking and Membership Information

I booked this business class ticket from Bangkok to Amman and onward to Frankfurt using my accumulated American AAdvantage miles. In total, I spent 75,000 miles and about $80 for taxes and fees. If you ask me, that's a reasonable price for a business class flight.

Bangkok Airport and Boarding Process

I didn’t arrive at Bangkok Airport too early because the lounge services were nothing special. Although Royal Jordanian is a member of oneworld, I wasn’t able to use the Cathay Pacific or Qatar Airways lounges due to scheduling conflicts, so I opted for the Japan Airlines lounge, which was quite mediocre. I also encountered some difficulties with the electronic boarding pass, as it didn’t display the correct departure date, which took some time to resolve.

Onboard Experience

Royal Jordanian's business class features 24 seats arranged in a 2-2-2 configuration. Upon boarding, the atmosphere was cool and comfortable. A friendly flight attendant greeted me, but unfortunately, the other attendants lacked enthusiasm. I chose seat 4K, a window seat, but the view wasn’t very clear.

Seat Amenities

The seat reclines fully, which is great, but it does feel a bit outdated. The seat controls are user-friendly, allowing for easy adjustments. The in-seat entertainment system, while featuring a 17-inch screen, feels quite behind the times, reminiscent of 2008. Though the selection of movies and shows isn’t extensive, it’s sufficient to keep you entertained on a long flight.

Service Quality and Dining

The quality of service was a significant drawback. I encountered a very dirty restroom and the food was unimpressive. The flight attendants’ service lacked warmth, making my flying experience fall short of expectations. Unfortunately, 90% of these issues could be improved with a bit more attention and investment from the airline.

Helpful Information for Vietnamese Travelers

For those traveling from Vietnam, you can fly from Hanoi (HAN) or Ho Chi Minh City (SGN) to Bangkok, and then connect to your flight to Amman. This route is ideal for anyone looking to explore Middle Eastern countries, and obtaining a Jordan visa is relatively easy. For Vietnamese citizens, you just need to apply for a Jordan visa before your trip, costing around $30 (approximately 700,000 VND), and you can obtain your visa at Amman Airport.

Conclusion

In summary, while there are some positive aspects, Royal Jordanian's business class experience still has many shortcomings. If you’re considering a flight in this region, keep the mentioned points in mind to best prepare for your journey.

This article was referenced and edited from: One Mile at a Time