Royal Jordanian: The Flag Carrier Born From a Royal Decree

History and positioning

Founded as Alia in 1963 on the direct initiative of the Jordanian monarchy, the airline went through decades of regional instability while keeping the Amman hub operational, often used as an alternative transit point for travelers heading to various parts of the Middle East. Joining oneworld in 2007 strengthened its role as a bridge between the networks of the major Western carriers and the Middle Eastern destinations that are harder to reach.

The fleet

The fleet includes Airbus A320 and A321 aircraft on short and medium haul and Boeing 787-8 aircraft on the longest intercontinental routes, plus a few Airbus A330s used on medium-to-long-distance destinations. It is a relatively small fleet for a flag carrier, sized to the real needs of a small national market but with a regional role larger than the country itself.

Routes and network

From the Amman hub, Royal Jordanian connects the Middle East, Europe (London, Paris, Frankfurt and Rome, among others), South Asia and North America, with routes to New York JFK, Chicago and Montreal that serve the Jordanian-Palestinian diaspora in particular. The transit role to Jerusalem and the West Bank remains a unique feature of the network, tied to Jordan's geopolitical position.

On board and service

The Royal Club loyalty program integrates oneworld benefits, allowing miles to be earned and redeemed across the whole alliance. On board, the service follows the standard of a traditional Middle Eastern carrier, with hot meals even on medium-length routes and a flat-bed business class on the Boeing 787s used on the longest intercontinental routes.

Royal Jordanian is a particularly useful choice for those who need to reach Jerusalem or the West Bank via Amman, a transit that few other carriers offer with the same ease, as well as for those traveling between Europe/North America and the Middle East who want to take advantage of the oneworld benefits. It is less competitive for those looking only for the lowest fare on direct European routes to the Gulf, where regional low-cost carriers can be cheaper. A practical tip: anyone transiting Amman for Jerusalem should check Jordanian visa requirements for the stopover well in advance, as they change depending on the nationality of the passport.