Royal Brunei Airlines leaps forward with 787. Early A320neo or 737MAX slots to provide another boost

Royal Brunei Airlines (RBA) will make a big leap in improving efficiency and profitability on 1-Dec-2013 as the carrier introduces Boeing 787-8s on the Bandar Seri Begawan-Dubai-London Heathrow route. Another leap could occur in 2016 or 2017 as the carrier, somewhat surprisingly given its very small size, has received aggressive proposals and early delivery slots for new-generation narrowbody aircraft.

RBA became in Oct-2013 the first 787 operator in Southeast Asia. It has already taken delivery of two 787-8s, one of which is in static display this week at the 2013 Dubai AirShow. RBA will be the first carrier to operate the 787 between Dubai and London, one of the world's largest routes, and in Mar-2014 will become the first carrier to have an all-787 long-haul operation.

RBA meanwhile is in the closing phases of a competition between Airbus and Boeing for its new-generation narrowbody requirement, which includes over 10 aircraft for delivery from end of 2015. Airbus and Boeing are offering early delivery slots for their A320neo and 737 MAX families, with support from leasing companies, and the campaign has become very competitive as Boeing is eager to switch RBA's narrowbody fleet from Airbus. RBA has already ruled out Embraer and Bombardier, after earlier considering large regional jets.