The Counter Attack of Royal Brunei Against Cebu Pacific

Just a few days after Cebu Pacific launched its promo fare from Brunei to Manila, Royal Brunei Airlines came out with their weekend sales. With B$370, the airfare includes Brunei airport tax, fuel surcharge, up to 20kg baggage allowance, option to choose your seat and they forgot to mention FREE MEALS ON BOARD. Haha.

To avail for this fare, you need to purchase your ticket at RBA Ticket Office and Service Center on every Saturday and Sunday until 29 August, 2010. Traveling period valid from 14 August to 31 December 2010. There is definitely a great challenge to Royal Brunei on the Manila sector since they are the only airlines flying direct from Brunei to Manila before Cebu Pacific announced of its operation to Brunei. But to the customer point of view, this is good because they could now pay a lower fare to go back to the Philippines. I remembered paying around B$580 for my airfare to Manila last year. A great savings for all.

So which airlines offers a better rate to us as customers? Let's just do some calculation. With the normal fare (B$99 per way) of Cebu Pacific with insurance and Web Admin fee, you will pay B$214 for the return flight. This will give you 15kg baggage allowance. So if you want to make it to 20kg, you need to pay B$40 extra (online rate only) . Then you need to pay Brunei airport tax of $12. It will be a total of B$266 for a return fare. This is B$104 cheaper than RBA. Para sa baon na to.

With comparison to flight schedule, Cebu Pacific flies 2 times a week whereas RBA flies 3 times a week. Flight time for Cebu Pacific from Brunei is at 2:25am and arrive Manila at 4:15am. Many said it is a good time dahil walang trapik. Haha. I totally agree with them.

Lastly, RBA lands at NAIA Terminal 2 whereas Cebu Pacific lands at Terminal 3. Again, for those who are connecting their next Cebu Pacific flight to their province, they don't really need to transfer to another terminal. Unlike using RBA, you definitely need to go to Domestic Terminal, Centennial Terminal or Terminal 3 for any connecting flight depending on what airlines you are using.

But overall, the choice is yours. Do write some comments if you have anything to add. Maraming salamat po.