Via ch-aviation, it appears as if Royal Jordanian is eying new service to the US, specifically to Los Angeles and Miami.
These would both be ultra-longhaul routes at 7,600+ and 6,600+ miles respectively, so to make it a bit more economical they’re hoping to route them both via Vienna. I assume that’s not just to make the routes more economical (by decreasing the amount of fuel they have to carry and increasing their cargo capacity), but also because they hope to have pick-up rights and be able to carry passengers between those cities. The Jordanian government is apparently presently negotiating the Bilateral Air Services Agreement with the Austrian Ministry of Transport, Innovation and Technology (BMVIT).
They’re apparently hoping to launch the service around mid-2014 using either an A330 or one of their 787s (once they start taking delivery of them).
It’s no secret that I’m not a fan of Royal Jordanian. My one flight on them from Bangkok to Hong Kong was the single most scarring flight I’ve ever taken, and I actually only recently fully got over my fear of flying again.
At the same time, there’s a shortage of decent OneWorld award options between the US and Europe:
- American is extremely stingy with releasing premium cabin award space between the US and Europe, besides a recent spurt of first class availability on some routes that got equipment changes.
- British Airways imposes massive fuel surcharges on award tickets, so in addition to the miles you’ll usually pay $1,000+ for a roundtrip first or business class award ticket to Europe
- Air Berlin is actually a pretty good option and releases a good amount of award space
- Air Tahiti Nui (which is an American partner but not a OneWorld partner) flies between Los Angeles and Paris
- Finnair is rather stingy with releasing business class award space
So while Royal Jordanian is by no means a great airline (and one I’d avoid for “personal” reasons), it’s nice to have more options. If the route becomes official I’ll be sure to post again.
Royal Jordanian business class
(Tip of the hat to DestinationDavid)
Another OneWorld option for crossing the pond---I'll take it.
Hmm, let's see...fly OS direct to VIE - good seat, great food and service, or RJ. Let me think about that one...
@ Ivan Y -- Yep, that's my understanding!
So would this work like SQ's flights out of New York and Houston to Singapore, i.e. we would be able to buy just one leg (e.g. MIA-VIE or VIE-AMM instead of MIA-AMM)?
@ wwk5 -- Interestingly they were going to launch service between New York and Athens, but have decided against it in the meantime.
https://onemileatatime.com/qatar-airways-to-launch-nonstop-service-between-new-york-and-athens/
Good point. There are 2 Oneworld airlines in the Middle East now, but does Qatar offer any flights between the US and Europe? Seems like their strategy is just to bypass Europe for people traveling between Doha and the US/Canada.
@ wwk5d -- To be clear, I never claimed they're an unsafe airline or that others shouldn't fly them, but rather only that I don't think I could bring myself to fly them again due to the memories my flight brings back.
@ Brad -- Good point, fixed.
You can't blame or judge an entire airline for one flight. Granted, Royal Jordanian isn't the best airline in the world, but they're not the worst either. If anything, your review before the weather problems seemed to fall towards "decent hardware and food, mediocre to crap service". It would have been interesting to see your final assessment had the incident not happened.
I know I'm splitting hairs here, but Air Tahiti Nui is not a Oneworld partner but an AA partner.
I remember back in the late 80's Royal Jordanian used to fly an L-1011 from Miami to Amman, via Vienna.
Hopefully the pilots have learned not to circle in red cells by now!