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> Royal Jordanian - Detroit, MI (DTW) to Amman, Jordan (AMM) - Flight RJ 268 - Business Class
Royal Jordanian - Detroit, MI (DTW) to Amman, Jordan (AMM) - Flight RJ 268 - Business Class
Comfortable Flight, but Mediocre Food
Flight Information: Royal Jordanian - Detroit, MI (DTW) to Amman, Jordan (AMM) - Flight RJ 268 - Business Class - Royal Jordanian Airlines, the flag carrier of Jordan, operates international services on four continents from its main base at Queen Alia International Airport at Amman, Jordan. Royal Jordanian is a member of Oneworld, a global airline alliance. (Click here to read our Detroit hotel and restaurant reviews and click here to read our Amman hotel and restaurant reviews.)
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Check-In: I arrived at the Detroit airport a good two hours ahead of my scheduled flight time. There was a long line for economy check-in but no one in the Business Class line. As soon as an agent was available, she quickly and efficiently checked me in. She was full of spark and energy and really made me feel welcome (something that I find less and less at the airport these days).
She and her colleague even helped me get my bags from the line up to the counter. Service like that is pretty much unseen these days! After checking me in, she handed me an invitation to Lufthansa’s Business Class Lounge.
The Lounge: Since I was flying Business Class on Royal Jordanian, I was able to make use of the Lufthansa Business Class Lounge. As I had ample time on my hands after the quick check-in I headed there to relax before my flight from Detroit to Amman. (Click here to read our review of Lufthansa’s Business Class Lounge in Detroit.)
First Impressions: I got to the gate after boarding had started, so I am not sure if they called for Business Class to board first or not. However, when I started to walk up, the agent who had checked me in saw me and pulled me away from the crowd and escorted me to the front of the line. Once again, the agent in Detroit impressed me!
Once on board, I was promptly directed to my seat and warmly greeted by the crew. Amenity kits and headsets were offered. I was off to a good start.
The Cabin: The configuration of the Airbus A340 business class cabin was four rows of 2x2x2. The seats had a pitch of 83” and a width of 21”. Though this seat is marketed as a “lie flat” seat for optimum sleep comfort, it does not lie flat even though it may recline 180 degrees. The seat actually reclines on an angle. It is comfortable for sitting to read or watch TV or recline while watching a movie, but the angle makes it a bit uncomfortable for sleeping. The seat was equipped with in-arm video screens and flexible reading lights.
The cabin was decorated in hues of grey. Instead of exuding a warm or upscale classy feel, this décor gave a more cold and barren feeling.
The Flight (Service/Food/Drink): The flight attendant came and offered me something to drink after take-off. I was quite surprised she didn’t offer anything other than water before take-off.
I opted for a glass of Moet & Chandon Champagne. She told me it was warm but would put it on ice to quickly cool it down. She brought me a bowl of mixed nuts and a glass about 10 minutes later, the Champagne was still warm and flat. I wonder why they cannot plan ahead and have a bottle chilled and ready to go after take-off. It always surprises me how some airlines function. If an airline like Lufthansa can have chilled Champagne ready when you board, why can’t Royal Jordanian have one chilled by the time they serve after take-off. It is these little things that make the difference between a flight being Bombastic or Not.
Anyways, a short time after take-off, the dinner service started. Appetizers consisted of potato salad, smoked turkey and grilled salmon. Soup of the day was lentil soup. Instant lentil soup! It was bland and tasteless. I could hardly believe that they serve soup out of a can or bag! Quite disappointing for a Business Class dinner on Royal Jordanian.
For the main course, the options were stir-fried Shredded Beef in Lemon Sauce, Chicken Breast in Creamy Mustard Sauce, Fillet of Grouper in Caper Sauce and Butternut Squash Ravioli with Pomodoro Sauce. (They all sound great, don’t they?) I ordered the stir-fried beef which was served with buttered garden vegetables in a so-called oyster sauce, duchess potatoes and cumin basmati rice. The beef was very tough and had zero flavor. Even the mixed vegetables that accompanied the beef were just as pitiful.
For dessert, I was served a white cake with strawberry flavors and a strawberry on top. Needless to say, this was the best part of the dinner. Though the presentation of the food was great, the overall quality of the food was below Business Class standards. I really expected more from Royal Jordanian.
The wine selection was limited to just two whites and two reds. The whites were Machareus from Madaba, Jordan and Laroche Chablis from France. Surprisingly I enjoyed the Jordanian wine more than the Chablis. The reds were Vin D’Ammon again from Madaba, Jordan and Amancaya Malbec Cabernet Sauvignon from Argentina. This time, the Jordanian wine didn’t excel and I went with the Argentinean. Overall though, the wines were all cheap tasting.
The liquor served on board this Royal Jordanian flight was Martini Sweet & Dry, Campari, Johnnie Walker Black Label, Gordon’s Gin, Russian Standard Vodka, Cointreau, Drambuie, Bailey’s Irish Cream, XO and VSOP Cognac and Fire Port Wine.
After dinner, I browsed through the newspapers and magazines offered and later checked out their Video On Demand system. They had a nice selection of Hollywood and Arabic movies, television shows and interactive games. I sat back and watched a variety of shows and then a movie before I drifted off to sleep. However, the angle of the “lie-flat seat” allowed me to sleep only for a short time and I had to spend the rest of my flight either watching TV or reading. It made the almost 12 hour flight feel like more than 12 hours.
Just before arrival into Jordan, a breakfast consisting of Fresh Fruit Salad, a plate with Cheddar Cheese, Smoked Gouda, Maytag Blue and White Grapes and a choice of Mushroom Omelet or Florentine Quiche was served. I opted for the omelet, which again was tasteless and bland.
Arrival: We arrived on-time, which is always a good thing.
Overall Impression The flight crew were great, friendly and made the flight as enjoyable as they could make an 11 and half hour flight. Even the movies and TV options were enjoyable, but the tasteless food, warm Champagne, mediocre wine and the angled bed kept this flight from getting a Bombastic rating. This Royal Jordanian Business Class Flight gets a rating of Between Bombastic and Not.
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Additional Information:
Flight Time: 11 Hours, 30 Minutes
Airline Partners:: American Airlines, British Airways, Cathay Pacific, Finnair, Iberia, Japan Airlines (JAL), LAN, Malév, Mexicana, Qantas, S7 Airlines
Airport Codes:
Detroit – DTW
Amman, Jordan - AMM
Be sure to read our Detroit hotel and restaurant reviews and our Amman hotel and restaurant reviews.
5 Star and Luxury Hotel, Resort,
Restaurant, Airline and Travel Reviews,
Advice and Information - Independent and Unbiased
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