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Review of Royal Jordanian Business Class

Ramsey Qubein Ramsey Qubein Jul 20, 2024
Review of Royal Jordanian Business Class

Royal Jordanian’s Crown Business Class is a refined showcase of Jordanian hospitality, echoing the kingdom’s storied traditions. Flying with Royal Jordanian (affectionately known as “RJ” among locals) gives travelers a genuine sense of place, whether you’re on a direct route or simply connecting through Amman.

For those wishing to immerse themselves further, RJ’s Zuwar Stopover Program allows travelers to pause their journey in Jordan with no extra airfare. The program, which has gained popularity in 2025, lets passengers explore the country's historic sites or savor authentic cuisine during a layover. While the stopover itself is complimentary, curated ground experiences incur a fee, but offer exceptional value and access to exclusive cultural activities.

As a key member of the oneworld alliance, Royal Jordanian partners with over a dozen leading airlines, enabling travelers to earn and redeem miles across carriers such as Alaska Airlines, American Airlines, British Airways, Cathay Pacific, Finnair, Qantas, and Royal Air Maroc. Seamless codeshare agreements make it easy to combine flights on one itinerary, enhancing flexibility and connectivity.

The airline’s Royal Club loyalty program awards miles for every eligible flight, redeemable across all oneworld partners. Elite status with any alliance airline brings benefits on RJ flights, including expedited security, priority check-in, and lounge access—even when traveling in economy.

 

Airport experience

Queen Alia International Airport remains the nerve center of Royal Jordanian, and its modern terminal continues to elevate the pre-flight experience in 2025.

The airport’s design makes for a swift, stress-free connection, with clear signage and expansive glass walls bathing the terminal in natural light. Its boutique size means short distances between gates and an efficient overall flow—an advantage over sprawling international hubs.

Crown Class travelers benefit from a dedicated check-in zone featuring exclusive fast-track security and immigration counters. Our recent experience found minimal wait times, with lounge access just an escalator ride above the duty-free area. The Crown Class Lounge, while open to the main concourse, provides tranquil corners for relaxation or family time, even if ambient terminal sounds occasionally filter through.

The lounge features a curated bar with both Jordanian and global wines, premium spirits, and a selection of local craft beers. Refrigerated cases offer an assortment of soft drinks, juices, and mineral water. The buffet rotates throughout the day, presenting everything from Middle Eastern specialties to international comfort food—think fresh salads, mezze, pastas, seasonal soups, and desserts. While the lounge lacks runway views, it’s an inviting haven for work or leisure prior to boarding.

Crown Class and oneworld elite guests enjoy priority boarding, though at peak times, the boarding process can feel a bit rushed and lines may blur.

Cabin & Seat

Royal Jordanian’s Crown Class cabins exude understated elegance, with signature crown motifs and refined finishes throughout. The absence of overhead bins in the central section of the Dreamliner cabin lends an airy, open feeling, while subtle privacy screens between paired seats provide extra seclusion in lie-flat mode.

The long-haul Boeing Dreamliner fleet features a 2-2-2 configuration. While this arrangement maximizes space, window passengers must step over a neighbor to access the aisle—a minor inconvenience unless traveling with a companion. Solo travelers often opt for center seats for direct aisle access.

All seats convert to fully flat beds, ideal for restful overnight journeys. Ample storage spaces accommodate water bottles and personal items, and each seat is equipped with universal power outlets and USB charging ports. The tray table is conveniently stowed in the armrest and is sturdy enough for both dining and working. Intuitive controls allow passengers to customize their seat position for optimal comfort.

Like other Dreamliner models, window brightness is managed by electronic dimmers, offering various levels of transparency. Occasionally, the crew may lock window settings to maintain a restful cabin environment, which can limit passenger control over their view.

Crown Class passengers are entitled to complimentary advance seat selection. However, seat changes may occur due to operational needs, so it’s wise to reconfirm your seat assignment at check-in.

Our Businessclass flight search features detailed seat maps, images, and videos for most major airlines, including Royal Jordanian. You can review seat dimensions, pitch, and recline before booking, ensuring you choose the best seat for your journey.

Cuisine

Shortly after takeoff, Crown Class guests are greeted with their preferred beverage and a selection of warm, spiced Arabic nuts—a signature Jordanian welcome. Linens are then laid, and an appetizer, salad, and artisan bread are presented on a tray.

For main courses, Royal Jordanian often employs an elegant trolley service, allowing you to view and select from four chef-crafted entrées, including a traditional Jordanian specialty such as mansaf (braised lamb in yogurt sauce with rice). This tableside presentation, available on many long-haul daytime flights, enables guests to sample multiple dishes if desired, adding a bespoke element to the meal service.

The diverse menu typically features choices like beef, veal, seafood, chicken, or vegetarian pasta. Desserts range from seasonal fruit to regional pastries, with highlights such as pistachio-studded Arabic ice cream served from a beautifully arranged trolley—consistently a passenger favorite.

Depending on flight duration and timing, a second meal is served prior to landing, either as a full tray or via the trolley with additional light bites.

Special dietary meals can be pre-ordered online or by phone, including vegetarian, low-sodium, or child-friendly options. While there is no formal dine-on-demand service, the attentive crew does their best to honor individual requests when possible.

Beverages

Before departure, guests are offered a choice of water, fresh juice, or Champagne, alongside traditional Arabic coffee elegantly served in demitasse cups. Once airborne, a comprehensive drinks menu unfolds, including two white wines, a rosé, two reds, and Taittinger Brut Réserve Champagne. Jordanian wines are regularly featured, reflecting the nation’s growing wine industry, though we observed that proactive refills could be more consistent.

The bar also offers a curated range of spirits and liqueurs, international beers, and a full suite of mixers. Non-alcoholic beverages, including fresh espresso and cappuccino, are available throughout the flight, as is aromatic Arabic coffee—an essential part of the Jordanian inflight experience.

Our Businessclass flight search details Champagne and beverage offerings for both Business and First Class on dozens of airlines. If you notice any updates, please let us know so we can keep our listings current. 

Service

Royal Jordanian’s flight attendants consistently display warmth and national pride, creating a welcoming onboard atmosphere. On routes to Asia, the airline staffs select flights with multilingual crew members fluent in destination languages, ensuring seamless communication for international guests. Service is generally attentive and sincere, though we have occasionally encountered variations in approach, from highly engaging to more reserved interactions. A distinctive touch: cabin crew often wear traditional Jordanian attire during initial service rounds, adding a sense of ceremony and local flair.

Entertainment

Each Crown Class seat is fitted with a large HD screen offering a robust selection of Hollywood blockbusters, acclaimed series, global documentaries, and curated music playlists. The entertainment system is easy to navigate via touchscreen or handheld remote. While noise-cancelling headphones are provided, their quality is decent but not industry-leading.

Passengers can monitor their journey with an interactive moving map. As of 2025, Royal Jordanian has not yet introduced onboard Wi-Fi, which remains a notable gap compared to some competitors.

Our Businessclass flight search includes up-to-date information on entertainment offerings and in-flight connectivity for all major airlines.

Airline review Entertainment - Royal Jordanian - 0

Amenities & Facilities

Crown Class amenity kits are thoughtfully assembled in collaboration with 4711 Aqua Colonia, containing premium skincare products, eye masks, socks, and dental essentials. The partnership with 4711, a heritage fragrance house favored by the Jordanian royal family, continues to be a hallmark of the RJ experience. A bottle of classic 4711 Eau de Cologne is available in each lavatory, adding a signature touch of luxury to the journey.

Passengers are provided with a plush, fleece-lined blanket and an oversized pillow, ensuring restful sleep on long sectors. Families traveling with infants can pre-reserve bassinets on select long-haul routes, further enhancing the family-friendly ethos of the airline.

Short & Medium Haul

On regional routes, Royal Jordanian’s Airbus and Embraer aircraft offer true business class seating with wide, deeply reclining armchairs. While these seats do not become fully flat, they provide ample comfort and space for flights across the Middle East and Europe. The Airbus A319, A320, and A321 feature a 2-2 configuration, while the Embraer jets offer a more intimate 1-2 layout.

Depending on flight length, meal service may be presented on a tray or by trolley, mirroring the high standards found on long-haul sectors. For shorter flights, wireless streaming entertainment is available—simply connect your personal device to the onboard network for access to movies and music.

Airline review Short- & Medium-haul - Royal Jordanian - 0

Sustainability

Royal Jordanian continues to advance its environmental stewardship through investments in next-generation aircraft and operational efficiency. In 2025, the airline is further reducing its carbon footprint via modern, fuel-efficient fleets and expanded recycling programs, both in-flight and on the ground. These efforts align with industry-leading sustainability practices recognized by global aviation bodies.

The carrier also actively promotes Jordan as a destination, partnering with the Jordan Tourism Board and showcasing the nation’s heritage through special aircraft liveries inspired by Petra—Jordan’s celebrated UNESCO World Heritage Site. The iconic Al-Khazneh, a wonder of the ancient world, remains a focal point of RJ’s branding and international outreach.

Our Businessclass flight search provides CO2 emission estimates for each itinerary, with higher ratings for airlines operating the most eco-conscious fleets.

 

What We Love

  • Authentic Jordanian touches, from Arabic coffee on boarding to a curated selection of local wines and signature dishes
  • Lie-flat seats in a straightforward 2-2-2 layout, complemented by a spacious and thoughtfully designed cabin
  • Inflight service that is consistently warm, genuine, and attentive