Review: Royal Jordanian 787 Business Class

Royal Jordanian’s 787 business “Crown” class product is hardly cutting edge, but it got the job done on an overnight flight from Bangkok to Amman.

I had started my evening in Kuala Lumpur and remained onboard while the aircraft was re-fueled and re-catered in Bangkok.

At about midnight, passengers originating in Bangkok began to board.

Royal Jordanian 181
Bangkok (BKK) – Amman (AMM)
Monday, July 08
Depart: 12:25 AM
Arrive: 05:20 AM
Duration: 08hr, 55min
Distance: 4,255 miles
Aircraft: Boeing 787-8
Seat: 3A (Business Class)

A new crew had arrived and unlike the all-Asian flight attendants on the Fifth Freedom flight, FAs on this flight were Jordanian.

Royal Jordanian 787 Business Class Seating

The 787-8 business class cabin on Royal Jordanian includes 24 seats in a 2-2-2 configuration. With business class than half full, the seat next to me stayed open.

Seats recline was controlled by push-button console between seats. An IFE remote was below and power port on the small shelf above the seat.

I really liked the open feel of the cabin. Rather than a galley in the rear center of the aircraft, a buffet (never used during the flight) gave the cabin a more open feel, like on Qatar Airways.

I spent the majority of the flight sleeping and loved the soft blanket, fleece-lined on one side. With a couple of plush pillows, I slept very well.

Royal Jordanian 787 Business Class IFE

After takeoff, I browed the IFE. While the library was limited to about 30 English films, I could have entertained myself if necessary (instead, I went to sleep). Games, TV shows, and music were also available.

A cartoon safety video was screen prior to the flight.

Noise-cancelling headphones were waiting in the seat and worked well.

Our friend who liked to take his shoes and socks off was continuing on to Amman as well…

No wi-fi onboard.

Royal Jordanian 787 Business Class Meals

Prior to takeoff, a flight attendant offered Arabic coffee served in gold carafe.

I was expecting dinner service via cart after takeoff where I could pick and choose the items I wanted, like a buffet. Instead, menu cards were offered before takeoff with a choice of four entrees.

I liked this arrangement better because the food was served hot from the oven. The veal loin with herb curst was a hearty and delicious choice. Meanwhile, the bread was horrible and the salad was just sliced vegetables. At least this time there was a lemon dressing served with it.

While main courses were served from the galley, dessert and coffee/tea service was via cart. The Tiramisu hit the spot and I withstood the urge for more Arabic coffee so I could sleep.

The entire meal service was over an hour after takeoff, which I greatly appreciated on this relatively short flight.

I really wanted to sleep, but forced myself up before landing in order to review the breakfast, which was not even printed on the menu.

The first course was served by tray and included bread (flaky croissant, horrible white roll) and fruit.

Disappointingly, the next course, served by trolley, was just yogurt and a muffin.

That’s a real lackluster breakfast…surely RJ could offer a hot option, especially since many skipped the post-takeoff meal and went right to sleep.

But Royal Jordanian does have an espresso machine onboard the 787 and I enjoyed a tasty cappuccino.

In summary, the post-takeoff dinner was a nice treat, but the pre-arrival breakfast quite underwhelming.

Royal Jordanian 787 Business Class Lavatory

The lavatory was a very standard 787 lavatory with no additional amenities to boast of unless you count air freshener or some horribly-smelling cologne.

Royal Jordanian 787 Business Class Service

With the cabin lightly filled, one flight attendant did all the work. She was amused at all the pictures I was taking, but quite friendly. Since I was one of the only people who ate either meal, she offered me seconds and thirds (I politely declined).

No, I was never addressed by name and it wasn’t Singapore Airlines style service. But the flight attendant was very pleasant…that counts for a lot.

I don’t know what happened, but RJ did offer an ameneity kit, I took pictures of it, but the pictures were deleted. Just note that there was nothing special in it.

CONCLUSION

Royal Jordanian is not a cutting edge product. But my ticket was cheap, I loved the veal, and I slept well. Thus, no complaints from me. Quite the contrary, I look forward to flying RJ again.