Upon arrival in Budapest (see this thread for the other report http://www.airliners.net/aviation-fo...ums/trip_reports/read.main/129984/) I collected my luggage and proceeded back upstairs to departures. Check-in wasn't yet open, but while I waited I watched the old fashioned flapper type departure boards.
Once check-in opened, I was first to the desk and once again the agent was bemused when I said I wanted to be checked through to Sydney. There was some discussion in Hungarian with whom I presumed was her supervisor and after a printer malfunction, she printed off a long sticker saying BUD to AMM, BKK, SYD. Happy days, no more 20kg bag to schlep around.
Of course, she had trouble understanding English and wouldn't crack a smile if she won a million dollars, so my request for 1A was met with a look. Once I realised the look meant it was already taken, I asked where the lounge was. Much shaking of the head ruefully. I decided to find it myself.
Straight through Passport control and voila - big blue and white sign that said "Lounges". I found the Millenium Lounge (it's Malev operated, but many airlines use it) and was soon installed on a PC.
The view from the lounge was pretty good as well, as you could see both runways for Departing and Arriving flights.
Not many people were in the lounge, which made it nice and quiet. I had a little bit of food from the food area, and took a photo of the TV as well, just for completeness.
Soon enough our wee little Royal Jordanian mini-jet arrived at Budapest and taxiied up to the spaghetti jetway.
Anyway, about 20 minutes before scheduled departure I went down to the departure gate. There was an unhappy line of people at the desk and a frazzled agent banging his keyboard, ringing people, slamming his phone down and generally having a bad time of things. They announced a 20 minute delay, and then started boarding 5 minutes later. Odd!
I was third or fourth on board and quickly settled myself into 2A. The seats are 2 x 1 in Business Class, so I had both a window and an aisle!
The seats are actually quite snazzy, with a foot rest, and good recline. They even have a little pull out table for your drinks!
The only problem with the seats is this - they've been in service for one month on this aircraft (it was delivered in June) and they're already showing signs of wear. The material at the end of the armrests (some kind of tacky plastic) is of a light colour, as is the rest of the seat, so any mark shows and shows badly. Poor choice! The seats also have a small rubbish receptacle - mine had gum in it. Fairly gross! Anyway, we had a choice of juices as our pre-takeoff drinks, and I chose apple juice.
The seat pocket is enormous, which helps it to accommodate things such as this Royal Jordanian pillow. As you can see, legroom isn't too shabby either.
We sat on the aircraft for approximately an hour. During this time, we were handed our menus, asked what drinks we wanted with our nuts after takeoff ("Champagne, please!") and offered newspapers and magazines. Some passengers boarded about 40 minutes after we got on, and we continued to wait. While waiting, I snapped this one showing some of the flight deck.
Of course, being a new aircraft, there is no "No Smoking" sign, it's one of these.
They ended up paging some people - including me! I stuck my hand up to show I was on board, and the other two were in Economy and moved to Crown Class. As soon as that was done, they apologised for the ground stuff up, and we pushed back and took off rather smartly.
My champagne and nuts came after takeoff, and later on we were served lunch.
With the appetisers and salads above, you get all of them together on one plate. They aren't choices - see -
The dish on bottom right has all the things in it. It was very good, I have to say - but I have a French housemate, so me and pate like each other.
I was going to have the Goose as a main, but decided on the veal. My flight attendant looked surprised (why am I surprising everyone on this trip!) and brought it out to me.
It was unbelievably amazing! The meat was cooked to perfection, the vegetables more-ish, and basically I enjoyed every bite. The cheese to finish was a bit strange (read: plastic) but the cake was nice. I also had coffee and water as well.
In flight entertainment consists of hand held units that look like this -
They essentially have movies pre-loaded, television shows, games and things like that. Once I'd been through the selection, I realised there was nothing I wanted to see, so I spent the rest of the flight dozing.
We arrived only a bit later than scheduled, and Crown Class passengers deplaned into the special Crown Class bus and to the Terminal. I think we were at the Terminal before all the Economy passengers had even started leaving the plane onto their own bus!
I haven't flown Royal Jordanian since April 2007 and I was pleasantly surprised to see that they have increased the standards. The new seats are very good, with plenty of recline. The flight attendants are still some of the loveliest in the air - they really couldn't do enough for us all. The only let down was the ground handling and whatever went wrong there - for some reason any staff that don't seem to be employed by RJ directly seem to be poor at best. Either way, RJ are value for money and continue to improve - I will be flying them again (in about 2 hours actually!)
Please feel free to comment on the report (feedback is always desired) and if you have any comments or questions, let me know!
I choose to fly oneworld, as a member of Qantas Frequent Flyer.
Pawsleykat From UK - England, joined Jul 2005, 1964 posts, RR: 16 Reply 1, posted (3 years 10 months 2 weeks 2 days 5 hours ago) and read 11411 times:
Yay! The RJ one is here...
Another good report, I'm so glad I convinced you to make one, it turned out fab in the end
I thought you said you were on an ERJ-190, not a 175 =/
Maybe I was hearing things...
Quoting ClassicLover (Thread starter): I think we were at the Terminal before all the Economy passengers had even started leaving the plane onto their own bus!
That's not to bad tbh... you'd be happy with that, not having to mingle with economy class passengers
The Business seat looks a lot more spacious than I thought for such a small plane, and even the plane seems quite small for BUD-AMM, but nevertheless, it got you there in one piece... and that's all that matters
Can't wait for the RJ A310 to Bangkok, especially considering you've been ranting to me for ages about the RJ business class
Great pictures bubs, not too bad for a phone tbh
JG
First Class passengers are my favourites. They can't get any further forward without an ATPL.
Sq_ek_freak From United Kingdom, joined Dec 2000, 1473 posts, RR: 17 Reply 2, posted (3 years 10 months 2 weeks 2 days 1 hour ago) and read 11131 times:
Great report! Really been meaning to try RJ's new product (wouldn't want to be stuck on their old one). How long was the flight between Budapest and Amman? I actually flew this route last summer to visit some of my best friends spending the summer in Amman, except my routing was JFK-GVA on Swiss (for work), then I tagged on the onward legs to AMM via BUD on Malev through my own pocket which was quite reasonable. My middle of the night jaunt from BUD to AMM on a dinky old Malev F-70 was interesting to say the least!
BA319-131 From United Kingdom, joined Jan 2001, 7882 posts, RR: 57 Reply 3, posted (3 years 10 months 2 weeks 1 day 19 hours ago) and read 10847 times:
Great report, think it's the first on this route + the first RJ 175 TR, thanks.
OA260 From Ireland, joined Nov 2006, 23079 posts, RR: 60 Reply 4, posted (3 years 10 months 2 weeks 1 day 9 hours ago) and read 10438 times:
WOW I loved this report. RJ Ejet Crown class is on my list now. Those J class seats are the best I have seen on the E jet. Love the single A seat. Shame they are showing wear but I could forgive them for that. Food looks cool also. I love the cabin colour scheme. Its turning out to be one cool trip home !!
Looking forward to the next ones...
Philip
OLYMPIC AIR - ΟΛΥΜΠΙΑΚΗ "Η ΕΛΛΑΔΑ ΨΗΛΑ" "GREECE FLYING HIGH"
FLIEGER67 From France, joined Sep 2003, 3759 posts, RR: 58 Reply 6, posted (3 years 10 months 2 weeks 1 day 7 hours ago) and read 10328 times:
Hi, Trent,
great story and pix.
I like these Embraer jets, real nice machines.
Not the usual routing for a trip to Australia, but the more unusual the better, isnt it?.
So, I will follow your further adventures on the way "down under".
UAL757 From United States of America, joined Sep 2006, 792 posts, RR: 5 Reply 7, posted (3 years 10 months 2 weeks 1 day 7 hours ago) and read 10297 times:
Qantasistheway From Australia, joined May 2008, 303 posts, RR: 2 Reply 8, posted (3 years 10 months 2 weeks 1 day 6 hours ago) and read 10273 times:
Great TR, A rare glimpse into the operations of the less frequently documented journies and carriers! Really enjyed it and I'm looking forward to the next parts of the trip.
Cheers
Airbuseric From Netherlands, joined Jan 2005, 3735 posts, RR: 52 Reply 9, posted (3 years 10 months 2 weeks 1 day 5 hours ago) and read 10232 times:
Hi
I'm glad to see a positive and good RJ experience, one which is good for within the oneworld alliance This RJ E90 seems very comfortable in C class. Seat/food/IFE, all looks very well and up to high level.
I didn't know that they send these smaller aircraft into European mainland. Do they serve other destinations as well?
Cheers,
Eric
"The whole world steps aside for the man who knows where he is going"
Carfield From United States of America, joined Dec 2003, 1501 posts, RR: 9 Reply 10, posted (3 years 10 months 2 weeks 13 hours ago) and read 9800 times:
Wow your report makes me want to fly RJ J class, but I wonder if it is true that RJ recollects the menus. I know most folks don't care, but as a menu collector, I don't want to fight with the F/As to keep my menus.
I look forward to the rest of your report!
RJ has just started to fly to HKG and their J fares are very reasonable, so maybe I will give it a try next year.
Pacifique75 From Portugal, joined Oct 2006, 127 posts, RR: 0 Reply 12, posted (3 years 10 months 2 weeks 12 hours ago) and read 9738 times:
Quoting Carfield (Reply 10): but I wonder if it is true that RJ recollects the menus
Carfield, I flew MAD-AMM in their Business class last April and the F/A took my menu back when collecting my coffee cup asking along the lines "Shall I take this for you?" and took the menu that I had placed on the table. I didnt notice them collect it back from other passengers,
in my case I suppose she only took it because it was next to the empty cup and as I said she asked if she could clear the table.
Ronerone From Jordan, joined Aug 2004, 1468 posts, RR: 55 Reply 13, posted (3 years 10 months 2 weeks 9 hours ago) and read 9600 times:
Dear ClassicLover,
Excellent Trip Report! a first of its kind indeed! .. I have been wanting to fly the E-jet for so long now, and it seems the best way to do so would be on RJ.
They make the occasional appearance at AUH (via AAN), but on a random basis. I will have to watch closely and perhaps fly one!
The Crown Class cabin on their narrowbodies does not feel like you are flying on ur average airliner, but more so an executive jet of some sort.
As Carfield had asked in a previous post, was the crew adamant on collecting the menu cards before landing? I had some difficulty keeping mine when i flew them last time. Mind you, i get kinda upset when i cant have the menu card haha
Another question, were the food options served as a buffet on a trolley? or did you choose what you wanted off the menu and they brought it to you?
Thanks a lot for sharing, im looking forward to your next installment
Regards,
Roni
A Stop Away From One-Stop, Is Non-Stop : Airbus A340-500
HALFA From United States of America, joined Jan 2004, 1281 posts, RR: 18 Reply 15, posted (3 years 10 months 1 week 6 days 20 hours ago) and read 9202 times:
Hey Trent,
Really enjoyed your report!
Quoting ClassicLover (Thread starter): Check-in wasn't yet open, but while I waited I watched the old fashioned flapper type departure boards.
Have I missed something? You mean there are airports out there that don't have old fashioned flapper type departure boards??
ClassicLover From Ireland, joined Mar 2004, 4261 posts, RR: 28 Reply 16, posted (3 years 10 months 1 week 5 days 13 hours ago) and read 8771 times:
Quoting Pawsleykat (Reply 1): I thought you said you were on an ERJ-190, not a 175 =/
The flight was originally an E195, but since they had the E175s delivered in June, this flight has been listed as an E175.
Quoting Sq_ek_freak (Reply 2): How long was the flight between Budapest and Amman?
3 hours and 40 minutes.
Quoting FLIEGER67 (Reply 6): Not the usual routing for a trip to Australia, but the more unusual the better, isnt it?.
Definitely - next time I want to route via India, as I've never done that before. Also, this way was the cheapest to get Business Class. The RJ Crown Class BUD-BKK was €1,800 return.
Quoting Carfield (Reply 10): Wow your report makes me want to fly RJ J class, but I wonder if it is true that RJ recollects the menus. I know most folks don't care, but as a menu collector, I don't want to fight with the F/As to keep my menus.
When I flew them last year, they collected the menus. They did on this flight too... however, I put mine in my bag and they didn't say anything about it. So I reckon you just put it away and they can just deal with it.
Quoting Ronerone (Reply 13): Another question, were the food options served as a buffet on a trolley? or did you choose what you wanted off the menu and they brought it to you?
No - on the widebodies they do it from the cart, on this flight they brought out the trays.
Quoting HALFA (Reply 15): Have I missed something? You mean there are airports out there that don't have old fashioned flapper type departure boards??
Most of the airports I use tend to have video monitors now So it was nice to see the old fashioned flapper boards as I call them
Thanks for all the kind words everyone, really appreciate it!
I choose to fly oneworld, as a member of Qantas Frequent Flyer.
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