Royal Jordanian’s Fifth Freedom flight from Kuala Lumpur to Bangkok is both cheap and comfortable. But factor in buffer for a delay if you are connecting.
Royal Jordanian offers a tag flight between Bangkok (BKK) and Kuala Lumpur (KUL) onboard its 787-8 Dreamliner to supplement its service between Bangkok and Amman (AMM). These flights can be purchased separately, but I was flying from KUL all the way to AMM.
Since security checks are performed at each gate in Kuala Lumpur, boarding time showed at 9:10PM for a 10:10PM departure. I showed up early and lined up to board…foolishly, I might add. Had I bothered to check the incoming flight from Bangkok, I would have seen that it was delayed and still had not departed Bangkok.
After standing like a fool for several minutes, an announcement was made that the flight was delayed. Everyone was ordered to sit down.
Eventually, security screening started again, but the plane from Bangkok still had not arrived. Close to 10:30PM it rolled up to the gate. Five minutes later, passengers began streaming off the aircraft and through the jetbridge.
Finally, at around 10:45PM, boarding began. Looking at the flight history, it appears this flight is delayed quite often from KUL.
Royal Jordanian 181
Kuala Lumpur (KUL) – Bangkok (BKK)
Monday, July 08
Depart: 10:10 PM
Arrive: 11:20 PM
Duration: 02hr, 10min
Distance: 754 miles
Aircraft: Boeing 787-8
Seat: 3A (Business Class)
Although I was the first passenger from KUL to board, I found a man and his son in the cabin. Odd that he would travel from Bangkok to Kuala Lumpur only to go back to Bangkok. He continued on to Amman so my guess was that he was security officer.
The business class cabin, which I will share more details about in the Bangkok to Amman report, features 24 seats in a 2-2-2 configuration. The BE Aerospace Diamond seats are the same as you can find on many airlines including on select American, Delta, and United flights.
Service was superb on this short segment and the flight attendants were all of Asian-descent, though they looked neither Thai nor Malay. I was offered a choice of water, orange juice, or sparkling wine prior to takeoff.
Noise-cancelling headphones were also distributed.
Onboard Service
Just moments after takeoff, flight attendants sprang up to begin service. First, I was offered a cold towel and drink menu. I was curious what kind of meal would be served. Would it be the elaborate meal I received on my 735-mile regional jet flight from Amman to Kuwait in the middle of the night? Would it be more local food?
Turns out, it was a light meal of sandwiches, salad, and sweets. One sandwich had avocado on top, another had salmon, and the third had an unidentified slice of white fish on it. All three were served open-faced. On the side was a salad of tomatoes, cucumbers, green bell peppers, and red cabbage…but no dressing. Also dessert of a bite-size peach tart and chocolate tart.
Hardly memorable, but better than serving nothing at all. I did enjoy a glass of Jordanian rosé. Not the best, but certainly not bad.
After the snack, a bottle of water was offered.
I spent the rest of the flight trying to rest, but transfixed on the man in front of me who got a little too comfortable onboard…
Finally, I forced myself to shift to Sudoku.
CONCLUSION
You’ll receive better meals on Thai Airways or Malaysia Airlines on this route, but you really cannot beat the comfortable seat. I also was impressed by the gracious and friendly service onboard. I’d take this flight again anytime.
Once we landed in Bangkok, I remained onboard during the one-hour ground stop. Next stop: Amman!
> Read More: Royal Jordanian ERJ-195 Business Class Amman To Kuwait
“I spent the rest of the flight trying to rest, but transfixed on the man in front of me who got a little too comfortable onboard…”
-I think i would have been the same way. What that guy was doing was particularly bad considering the flight location between KL and BKK. In those parts of SE Asia, especially Thailand, its considered very very rude to show the souls of your feet.
I flew RJ KUL-BKK at the end of July and found it enjoyable. What I loved most about the flight was that my first flight from KUA-KUL flying MH was delayed, very badly. As I was on separate tickets I was pretty worried and only had 15 minutes to departure… yes departure. When I was at the transfer desk getting my RJ ticket, she didn’t give me one and said if I make it in time they will give me my new ticket.
I ran, but right at departure someone with a big smile said my name and helped me through gate security and escorted me right to my seat. They waited and then closed the door right behind me. Brilliant service on the ground and onboard.