Royal Jordanian

s the national flag carrier of the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan, Royal Jordanian serves as a vital bridge between the Levant, the Middle East, and the rest of the world. From our modern hub in Amman, we embody Jordan’s rich heritage of hospitality, offering a unique blend of traditional warmth and contemporary comfort. We are committed to providing a reliable, safe, and welcoming travel experience that reflects the spirit of Jordan.

Our Story: Six Decades of Connecting Jordan

Royal Jordanian’s journey began on December 9, 1963, with a Royal Decree issued by His Late Majesty King Hussein. Initially named Alia, after King Hussein’s eldest child Princess Alia, the airline commenced operations on December 15, 1963, with an initial fleet of three aircraft serving regional destinations like Beirut, Kuwait, and Cairo. King Hussein’s vision for the airline was clear: “I want our national carrier to be our ambassador of goodwill around the world and a bridge across which we exchange culture, civilization, trade, technology, friendship and better understanding with the rest of the world.”

Throughout the 1960s and 70s, Alia rapidly expanded its network, reaching its first European destination, Rome, in 1965, and adding routes to major cities in the Middle East, Europe, and North America (New York in 1977). The fleet modernized, introducing Boeing 707s, 727s, and 747s. In 1986, the airline officially rebranded as Royal Jordanian Airlines, a name that continues to reflect its national pride and royal patronage.

The 1990s and 2000s saw further network and fleet expansion, alongside a significant transformation from a public-sector entity to a more commercially focused operation. A major milestone was achieved on April 1, 2007, when Royal Jordanian became a full member of the oneworld alliance, the first Arab airline to join any of the major global airline alliances. This membership greatly enhanced its global reach and connectivity.

Today, under the guidance of His Majesty King Abdullah II, Royal Jordanian continues to modernize its fleet, expand its routes, and uphold its legacy as a key contributor to Jordan’s economy and tourism sector, playing a crucial role in attracting visitors from across the globe.

Leadership and Ownership

Royal Jordanian Airlines PLC is a public shareholding company listed on the Amman Stock Exchange. While it underwent privatization in 2007, selling 71% of its shares to local and international investors, the Jordanian government remains a significant shareholder, holding over 34% through entities like the Government Investment Management Company. This blend of public and private ownership supports the airline’s commercial objectives while maintaining its national strategic importance.

Mr. Samer Majali serves as the Vice Chairman and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Royal Jordanian. He leads the airline’s strategic direction, focusing on enhancing its fleet, expanding its network, and improving profitability, especially as it navigates the dynamic aviation landscape in the Middle East. The airline’s headquarters are located in Amman, Jordan, with operations centered at Queen Alia International Airport.

Royal Jordanian also operates key subsidiaries, including:

  • Royal Jordanian Cargo: For dedicated air freight services.
  • Royal Jordanian Ground Handling: Providing ground services at Jordanian airports.
  • Royal Tours: Offering travel and package services.

Our Fleet: A Modern and Efficient Mix

Royal Jordanian operates a modern and versatile fleet designed to serve its diverse network efficiently. The airline has been actively engaged in fleet modernization to enhance passenger comfort, improve fuel efficiency, and ensure operational reliability. The fleet generally includes:

  • Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner: These wide-body aircraft are the flagships of Royal Jordanian’s long-haul fleet. They offer superior fuel efficiency, advanced cabin features that reduce jet lag, and a comfortable experience for intercontinental flights. Royal Jordanian was among the early adopters of the Dreamliner in the region.
  • Airbus A321-200, A320-200, A319-100: These narrow-body Airbus aircraft form the backbone of Royal Jordanian’s short to medium-haul network, serving routes across the Middle East, North Africa, and Europe.
  • Embraer E195, E190-E2, E175: These regional jets are crucial for connecting smaller cities and regional destinations within Jordan and to nearby countries. Royal Jordanian has been upgrading its Embraer fleet to the newer E2 series for enhanced performance and passenger comfort.

Royal Jordanian has a clear strategy for continuous fleet renewal, aiming to operate an even more modern and efficient fleet in the coming years.

Connecting the World: Amman’s Strategic Position

Queen Alia International Airport (AMM) in Amman serves as Royal Jordanian’s sole and strategically vital hub. Its central location in the Levant positions it as a natural connecting point for travelers between Europe, Asia, Africa, and the Americas.

From Amman, Royal Jordanian offers a comprehensive network:

  • Extensive Middle East Network: Flights to numerous key cities across the Levant, Gulf, and North Africa, including Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Doha, Kuwait City, Jeddah, Riyadh, Baghdad, Erbil, Beirut, Cairo, and many more.
  • Robust European Connectivity: Direct flights to a wide array of major capitals and cities across Europe, such as London (Heathrow and Stansted), Paris, Frankfurt, Madrid, Barcelona, Rome, Milan, Vienna, Geneva, Amsterdam, Brussels, Berlin, and Istanbul. Royal Jordanian has been expanding its European footprint with new routes like Manchester.
  • Significant North American Network: Direct services to major U.S. cities (e.g., New York (JFK), Chicago (ORD), Detroit (DTW), Washington D.C. (IAD)) and Canada (Montreal, Toronto), serving both the Jordanian diaspora and growing tourism.
  • Asian Connections: Key routes to destinations in Asia, including Bangkok, Colombo, Delhi, Mumbai, Kuala Lumpur, and Hong Kong.
  • African Presence: Connections to important cities across North and East Africa.
  • Domestic Jordanian Routes: Flights connecting Amman to Aqaba, serving both business and leisure travelers to Jordan’s Red Sea coast.

Royal Jordanian offers two primary cabin classes: Crown Class (Business Class), which features flat-bed seats on its Boeing 787s for long-haul comfort, and Economy Class, both designed to provide a comfortable journey with attentive service.

Your Journey, Your Rewards: Royal Plus

Royal Plus is Royal Jordanian’s frequent flyer program, designed to reward its loyal customers with a host of benefits and privileges. The program is structured to make earning and redeeming miles straightforward and rewarding. As a Royal Plus member, you can:

  • Earn Miles: Accrue valuable Award Miles when you fly with Royal Jordanian, its oneworld alliance member airlines (providing access to a global network of partners), and a range of non-airline partners (including hotels and car rentals). Miles are earned based on the route flown, fare class, and membership tier.
  • Earn Tier Miles/Segments: These are the points or flight segments that determine your elite status within the Royal Plus program.
  • Redeem Miles: Utilize your accumulated Award Miles for a variety of rewards, including:
    • Flight Awards: Book complimentary flights on Royal Jordanian and oneworld partner airlines.
    • Upgrade Awards: Upgrade your cabin class from Economy to Crown Class.
    • Miles & Cash: A flexible option to pay for flights using a combination of miles and cash.
    • Excess Baggage: Redeem miles to cover fees for additional baggage.
    • Rewards Store: Access a variety of merchandise and services.
  • Achieve Elite Status: Progress through the four membership tiers – Blue, Silver, Gold, and Platinum – to unlock an increasing suite of exclusive benefits:
    • Blue: The entry-level tier.
    • Silver: Offers priority check-in, an extra checked bag, and discounted lounge access. Corresponds to oneworld Ruby status.
    • Gold Plus: Provides access to Royal Jordanian lounges and over 600 oneworld alliance lounges worldwide (with one guest), priority boarding, preferred seating, priority baggage handling, and higher bonus miles. Corresponds to oneworld Sapphire status.
    • Platinum: The highest tier, offering enhanced lounge access (including oneworld First Class lounges), priority for upgrades, guaranteed Economy seat availability (under certain conditions), and the highest bonus mile earning. Corresponds to oneworld Emerald status.
  • Family Club: Allows family members to pool their miles together into one account for faster accumulation and redemption.