Exclusive to Flight Report ! Ladies and Gentleman, having brought you the first PIA reports, the first for Lahore and Kuwait, the Internet's first Istanbul - Lahore and Lahore - Bangkok reports, I am very honoured to today present you with the FR's and the Internets's first Royal Jordanian Economy Class review from Amman to London Heathrow !
RJ111 FastFacts - codeshare with American Airlines AA7191
Aircraft 787-8
Registration JY-BAE
Name "Prince Hashem Bin Abdullah"
Gate 204
As I did a massive writeup on RJ112, This report will just focus on the flight experience as well as facilities at Queen Alia International Airport.
The Main news items the night before travel were ;
*The unbelievable news of Jerusalem being Israel's new capital ( as decided by the US)
*Amsterdam's Refugee TourBoats - brighter futures for those from conflict areas
*Naples Pizza twirling wins Unesco intangible status
I arrived at Queen Alia International Airport on a lovely sunny Jordanian morning to catch my RJ111 flight back to London Heathrow. My driver Mahmoud and I had a lovely and lively discussion about various things on our way to AMM. We pulled up around 0820am and I bade him farewell as I made my way inside the terminal
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I had had emails again to bid for an upgrade ;
I checked in with a really pleasant check in agent who wished me a nice flight and on to Manchester and also that he hoped I would return to Jordan. That is a guarantee that I will return !
Initially I had seat 9K
However as the load was light, I got given 32HJK - Economy SkyCouch Luxury on Royal Jordanian !
Codeshares and Alliances explained
Airlines use Alliances and Codesshares to expand their reach without placing additional aircraft in the sky. Passengers benefit from alliances and codeshares via baggage handling agreements between airlines, particularly on International routes – enabling them to through check their luggage at their initial departure point and getting them automatically to their final destination - even if changing terminals & carriers in various countries along the way. They also benefit by being able to accrue and redeem miles on partner carriers.
An Alliance refers to the business agreement between two or more carriers sharing the same flight for example ; if your ticket states Finnair operated by JAL you would be on a JAL aircraft – in which case Finnair is the marketing carrier selling seats & promoting routes under its own name. There are three major Global Airline Alliances at present ; StarAlliance, Oneworld and Skyteam.
After checkin, I spoke to 2 lovely Duty Managers who were positioned at the end of the row of check in desks ; if only European airlines had senior staff visible like this to comfort and reassure passengers. I advised them that I had a special invitation to the Royal Jordanian Crown Class lounge. They were most friendly and after making some enquiries, one of the Duty Managers escorted me via the Exclusive Crown Class checkin area and via fastrak security/Passport checks,upstairs to the lounge !
The Crown Class checkin Manager greeted me very warmly and shook my hand. The Duty Manager escorted me through fastrak and to the lounge and advised me he would let the Captain and Flight Managerknow that a fan of RJ was flying today ! Wow, what treatment !
When in Rome do as the Romans do. When in Jordan, just be Jordanian ! Very cool localised M&M with the traditional Shimak ( headscarf for men ).
Royal Jordanian Crown Lounge Amman - Priority Pass Lounge of the year in 2015 for Middle East and Africa !
With such an accolade,you just know you are in for something special. I was very lucky to get an exclusive invite to this marvellous lounge. The lounge itself is on an upper level and snakes around the duty free shopping areas and you can look down onto the shopping areas as shown below ;
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This photo was taken with permission - I would never photograph anyone without their permission. I just thought I would make that clear in case anyone decides to go snap happy in the Crown Lounge ! Or elsewhere even ! It is always polite to ask.
Map of the lounge
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Washrooms with Royal Jordanian Lemon Towelettes and Arabian scent - a lovely touch !
From the Crown Lounge I could hear the following latest pop songs in the Shopping areas
Zara Larsson - Symphony
Ellie Goulding - Where are you now ?
Ed Sheeran - Shape of you
Camila Cabello - Havana
I sat and had a lovely chat with the Lounge Manager - a very professional and friendly lady who was most welcoming and hospitable. I can't see this happening with Turkish or other airlines. After checking my gate number with the Lounge Manager,she gave me directions on how to get to my gate (204) and I bade her a very fond farewell. It is is amazing to meet people like her who have so much passion and enthusiasm for the job they do and add such amazing value to the uniform they wear and the airline they represent. Of course such service is rare and it is definately unique to Royal Jordfanian !
Enroute to the gate, I saw my first ever foreign WHSmiths ! This is a famous British newsagent and I was amazed that it even had the unusual but nice WHSmiths smell !
A last minute chance to enjoy the "Dead Sea" of Jordan before departing this wonderful country !
Emirates A6-ENJ gettign ready to go to Dubai ( where else ?! )
My first sight of my ride back to London Heathrow and guess what ?! It's JY-BAE again, the same aircraft that brought me from London Heathrow a few days ago !
Right,let's get boarding !
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As I was walking through the winding route to the boarding gate, I came across one of the lovely Duty Managers who had been so helpful and friendly earlier on. He wished me a pleasant journey. Now why can't all airlines have staff who are a compliment to the uniform they wear ? Rarely does one see such personal service and I am so happy that I have only come across very pleasant and proud employees of Royal Jordanian so far.
I stepped onboard at 1100am and a very smily Airhostess in a beautiful black and red embroidered traditional Jordanian Yahala Dress welcomed me aboard and directed me to my seat.
As I entered the cabin, I said Salaam Alaikum to an Airhostess stood between seats in the first few rows of Economy. She immediately asked with a smile, if I had flown from London with her a few days before ? Initially I thought she asked if I was flying to London ! I smiled back and remembered she had been a "deadheading" crew member ; meaning she likely operated Amman to Heathrow and was flying back in uniform to Amman ( on RJ112) but not operating as an active crewmember. Nice to be recognised and very unusual to meet a crewmember twice in a few days ! I continued to my seat and enroute shook hands with a smiling Steward and said Salaam Alaikum to him.
A look at the very smart Economy Class cabin of RJ111 onboard this 787 Dreamliner
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I love testing this window "shade" which dims the windows as shown !
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Doors closed at 1105am and one of the Senior crew came to say hi ; as we chatted about Royal Jordanian's past operations to Karachi, he told me that his brother studied in Karachi University and was now a Dr in Saudi Arabia. This Senior crewmember whom I thought was the Flight Manager said to ask if I need anything during the flight.
The cabin was pleasantly scented ( during the flight it actually felt like the scent was being blown out through the air vents ! )
After a Welcome Onboard announcement in Arabic and English, we pushed back at 1115AM
and the Dua e safar video played throughout the aircraft.
The Dua E Safar is an Islamic pretravel prayer.
Those interested in the prayer can recite it as follows with my exclusive translation into Western script ;
Subhanalazi Sakharlana Haza Va Makuna Lahu Mukreneen. Va Ina Ila Rabina Lamunkaleboon.
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The safety video then played
Loving the legroom !
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Once this was over and the cabin was secured the actual Flight manager came to say hi and that he would meet me during the flight. The safety video in English stopped midway and was repeated in full from the start. After some taxying to the runway that was nearby, the engines began revving up and at 1133am,JY-BAE rotated down the runway.
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Earphones and blankets were distributed shortly after takeoff and I had to chuckle at the Steward who was handing them out was asking " Headsets ? Headsets ? " !!
The Flight Manager Firaz came by again and asked if I need anything,to let him know.
I do wonder if Royal Jordanian's Tel Aviv loads are heavy. The reason I wonder is that the 787 is sometimes used for the 15-20 minute flight to Tel Aviv. Which leads me nicely onto the next topic and the fast approaching views !
Talking of Tel Aviv, here is a birds's eye visit over Israel and Tel Aviv. I cannot imagine in my lifetime that I will ever visit Israel so these views really were something !
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As soon as we left the Israeli coast,the aircraft seemed to climb steeply and the engine power could be heard until we levelled out over the Mediterranean sea,
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I could smell the meals heating up in the galleys and was really looking forward to a delightful meal,having been heartily fed on RJ112 to Amman !
Pre meal nuts and drink, the Steward serving these said " Enjoy " The cabin filled with the smell of these delicious nuts ; but I do wonder how this may affect those with nut allergys ?
The rear galley - decadent dining just waiting to be delivered to Royal Guests !
An Airhostess came by to hand out these lemon scented towelettes ( I really think the should be handed out just before or just after take off as you get another smaller refresher towelette in the cutlery pack !
The Flight Manager brought me my meal tray just ahead of meal service commencing ; VIP treatment !
The tray as delivered
My tantalising meal - Part 1 !
Starter
Spicy Potatoe,red pepper and Olive mix
Bakery Selection
Bread Roll with Cream cheese ( warm bread rolls were also being handed out with trays )
Main Course
Chicken in Chasseur Sauce with carrot and pea basmati rice
Dessert
Chocolate Mousse Cake
Drinks Personal water bottle, Apple and Orange Juices,Coke,Sprite, and eventually tea/coffee towards the end of the meal
The trayliner this time was an image of the Dead Sea,Jordan's spiritual and healing waters !
A close up of the Chicken Chasseur with Vegetable Rice
Silver Cutlery - sky high dining elegance above the clouds !
A delicious tasty meal…………………………………………………..however as we all know Royal Jordanian serves 2 meal choices in Economy Class !
In the words of Oliver Twist, Please Sir can I have some more ?!
My second tray arrived and was as decadent as the first !
Starter
Spicy Potatoe,red pepper and Olive mix
Bakery Selection
Bread Roll with Cream cheese ( warm bread rolls were also being handed out with trays )
Main Course
Hamour Fish in Asian Style Curry Sauce served with boiled rice and boiled vegetables
Dessert
Chocolate Mousse Cake
Drinks Personal water bottle, Apple and Orange Juices,Coke,Sprite, and eventually tea/coffee towards the end of the meal
Close up of the Hamour which was well cooked,well seasoned and a culinary delight !
Drink up !
Time for tea !
I created my own little Dessert Bar and enjoyed the Chocolate Mousse Cake( twice may I add ) with Tea !
Tea Service accompaniments which come with the cutlery pack ; stylish toothpick included !
A look at what our friends in Crown Class enjoyed on this flight !
Time to catchup with our journey's progress ; windows were auto dimmed as trays were cleared and we began our trek over the Greek Islands !
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2 hours after take off the Captain made an announcement regarding the flight's progress and advised passengers to follow this on the tv screens.
He further advised the UK weather/ estimated arrival time and wished a pleasant stay in the United Kingdom.
As I began settling in, the Yahala ( Jordanian Dress ) wearing Airhostess who had boarded the aircraft, came to my seat. I was astonished that I was being a gift of an Acqua Colonia Amenity kit, premium water bottle and premium nuts ! I would have been offered more but I genuinely did not have space in my hand luggage anymore !
Ms Yahala ( not her real name ) chatted to me about where I was travelling onto. I advised Manchester and she smiled and said ti was a long day for me ; she was very friendly and said it was nice to have me onboard. I can't imagine this on some other airlines whom I have really wanted to fly and who have been a big big let down and whom I won't fly again. If you treat a passenger like a human being,they will return time and time again. If you give them gifts from the heart then…well, you have a passenger for life !
Time for a bit of rest - Royal Jordanian logo'd blanket
A look inside the 787's washroom
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A glimpse through the Inflight Entertainment ( see RJ112 review for a detailed look inside the IFE and Shopping Guide )
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Just Kidding - the gag show where no audio is needed - the invisible receptionist and falling wooden stand prank had me laughing like a madman !
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Strange but exciting to see a full range of Bollywood movies onboard considering Royal Jordanian no longer flies to India or Pakistan !
Ranbir Kapoor dancing to the famous Bollywood song " Baby Doll mein Soney Di " ( I'm a baby doll made of Gold ! ) - scene from the Indian movie "Ae Dil Hai Mushkil" ( Difficult Heart )
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Royal Jordanian's Inside Jordan Channel
I was humoured to actually show and teach a crewmember how to find this channel which takes you inside Jordan's sights !
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A look at the Airshow moving map
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Random look at Holland where I used to live in the 90's !
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A photo session was organised with the Cabin Crew and Flight Manager - these are posted on my Instagram profile. Now why is it that Royal Jordanian as a company and it's crew are so happy to pose for photographs ? Why is it that some airlines go berserk when you want a photo with the crew as a mementoe. What exactly will someone do with a photo of the Cabin Crew ? Would they pretend they are crew ? Or the CEO ? Just what is this so called security risk devised by individuals in Turkish and Brussels Airlines ?
I am so glad Royal Jordanian is not paranoid like this. After the photos Ms Yahala and the Flight Manager said it had been a pleasure AND an honour to have me onboard. I was overwhelmed. I'm just an everyday regular guy and there is nothing that special about me but Royal Jordanian's crew made me feel like a SkyHigh Prince !
Talking of Royal Treatment, I was offered Arabic coffee but opted for Royal Jordanian's signature Jordanian Dessert - Arabic Ice Cream with Crushed Pistachios ( like the European Swiss Roll but better ).
Ms Yahala brought this with a smile and told me to enjoy it !
The Cabin Crew on RJ112 were very engaging and very friendly. On this flight RJ111 however ,in the zone C ( seating area ), an older male crewmember although efficient, didn't smile much or engage with any passengers apart from during the 1st meal service.
2 Airhostesses also seemed distant but did smile here and there. 1 of them was having a very merry conversation in Arabic with 3 male passengers but otherwise didn't engage much.
The rest of the flight passed smoothly and eventually the windows started getting lighter meaning we were slowly starting our descent over Europe..
What a coincidence that I happened to be looking this part of the IFE at the same time as the flight number ( RJ) 111 !
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I don't believe any text is needed to describe the stunning view of London !
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Loop d'Loop over London - are we heading back to Amman ?!
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More loop d'loop !
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AT 1440pm UK time we landed smoothly on runway 27L at London Heathrow. How do I know the runway ? Because Instagram's @av1ation filmed my landing from Myrtle Avenue,the Heathrow hotspot for aircraft about to touch down at the world's Gateway Airport !
A Malaysian A380 landed right behind us and we had to hold on a taxiway for 10 minutes as our gate was occupied.
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BA A320 G-EUUK pushing back for Prague ! ( thank God for flightradar24 and planespotters ! )
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British Airways 747-400 G-CIVC oneworld livery - my Brother only recently flew this aircraft from Dubai to Heathrow and it then continued onto San Francisco and Boston !
Today, this 747-400 had arrived from Phoenix and was having a rest ahead of flying to Cape Town. Talk about the exotic lives these birds live !
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Passengers began to disembark around 1500pm ; we had landed at 1440pm 5 minutes ahead of schedule yet still left the aircraft late ! The crew began gettign their belongings ready for their overnight stay in London, which along with Madrid and Amsterdam are currently the only European cities where Royal Jordanian crew layover.
I was in no rush to disembark as my connection to Manchester was 2.5 hours away ; all passengers had slowly disembarked and I thanked the Steward from my zone ( seating area) for a nice flight. He smiled. I looked across the aisle and an Arab male in casual clothing seemed to object and pulled a very stern face.
I then stopped by an exit door to get photos of PIA - the Pakistani in me will always be loyal and loving to PIA ! I took the pictures and felt eyes on me. I looked around and the Arab male who porbably hasn't smiled since birth was very near me. I thought he wanted to pass but he muttered something in Arabic and I got one last shot of the cabin. Not sure who this dude was but he seriously needs to keep himself to himself.
I was wished Goodbye by a Senior Crewmember whom I hadn't had much interacction with during the flight.
And now let us disembark RJ111 and begin the transfer process for Manchester !
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Filthy seating - tip if you wish to recharge devices. Only do so if you se ethe blue light on the panel. Otherwise you are flogging a dead horse ; i.e. doing nothing !
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See you at the gate for BA1398 to Manchester !
