Superdeals: 40–80% off flights from North America to Brunei

Direct flight routes to Brunei

Currently there are no direct flights between North America and Brunei International Airport (BWN).

• No non-stop routes are available from any US or Canadian city to Brunei

Layover/stopover options

Singapore (SIN): Main connection point for Royal Brunei Airlines flights. Modern, efficient airport with average connection times of 2-3 hours. Features excellent shopping and the famous Jewel Changi complex.

Kuala Lumpur (KUL): Malaysia Airlines hub offering connections to Brunei. Typical layover time 3-4 hours. Offers free city tours for longer layovers.

Hong Kong (HKG): Cathay Pacific provides connections via code-share agreements. Connection times average 2.5 hours. Features expedited transit procedures for international connections.

Tokyo Narita (NRT): Japan Airlines connections to Brunei through codeshare partners. Minimum connection time of 2 hours. Offers convenient overnight layover options with hotel shuttle services.

Time vs money

Multi-stop routes typically offer more competitive pricing due to higher frequency and airline competition. Flights with two stops can be 20-40% cheaper than single-layover options but add 5-10 hours to total travel time.

Tips and recommendations

• Book separate tickets through Singapore or Kuala Lumpur if prices are high, but allow at least 4 hours between flights


• Consider routing through Tokyo if traveling from West Coast cities for shorter overall journey times


• Singapore Airlines’ Fifth Freedom routes from US cities often provide better connection options than other carriers


• Royal Brunei Airlines frequently offers promotional fares when booked 3-4 months in advance


• Mid-week departures (Tuesday/Wednesday) typically offer the lowest fares on Asian carriers serving Brunei

• Royal Brunei Airlines operates direct flights from Dubai to Bandar Seri Begawan, making it an optimal connection point for North American travelers using Emirates’ extensive US/Canada network. The Dubai-Brunei route uses A320neo aircraft with comfortable 32-inch pitch in economy, while Emirates’ flights to Dubai feature their superior long-haul service. Combined fares through this routing often run 15-20% below industry averages for Brunei-bound journeys.
• Connecting through Tokyo Narita (NRT) via Japan Airlines offers excellent value, with consistently lower fares than other Asian hubs and generous 46-inch pitch in Premium Economy. JAL’s partnership with American Airlines and Air Canada enables seamless bookings from multiple North American cities, with protected connections and through-checked baggage.
• Korean Air’s Seoul hub provides among the shortest overall journey times to Brunei from western North American cities, particularly Vancouver and Seattle. Their A330-300 aircraft deployed on the Seoul-Bandar Seri Begawan route feature the carrier’s latest cabin products, including 34-inch economy pitch.
• Using Singapore as a transfer point via Singapore Airlines opens access to multiple daily frequencies to Brunei on both Singapore Airlines and Royal Brunei, providing schedule flexibility. Singapore Airlines’ extensive North American network (Los Angeles, San Francisco, Seattle, Vancouver, New York) means competitive fares are often available, especially when booking 3-4 months ahead.
• For travelers from eastern North America, routing through Hong Kong via Cathay Pacific offers an optimal mix of comfort and value, with their refreshed A350-900 aircraft featuring expanded legroom in all classes. Multiple daily frequencies between Hong Kong and Brunei allow for convenient connections, while Cathay’s recent expansion of North American routes has increased competition and lowered fares.

1. Booking multi-leg flights separately Instead of booking separate tickets to Brunei via major hubs like Singapore or Kuala Lumpur, travelers should book a single itinerary through partner airlines (like United-Singapore Airlines or American-Royal Brunei) to ensure protected connections and better baggage handling.
2. Ignoring the 2-airport system Many travelers don’t realize that while Brunei International Airport (BWN) is the main gateway, some connecting flights might go through Kuala Belait Airport (KNO), requiring additional travel planning within Brunei.
3. Not considering monsoon season Booking flights during Brunei’s monsoon season (November to January) can lead to frequent delays and higher prices, yet many travelers fail to account for this when planning their trips.
4. Missing out on Royal Brunei Airlines deals North American travelers often overlook promotional fares from Royal Brunei Airlines through their codeshare partners, which can offer significant savings on routes via London or Dubai.
5. Poor layover planning in transit hubs When connecting through major hubs like Singapore Changi or Kuala Lumpur International, travelers often schedule too-tight connections, not accounting for the significant walking distances and security checks between terminals.

Royal Brunei Airlines

Best for: Most direct routing to Brunei with single connection in Asia.

Operates from 3 North American cities (Los Angeles, New York, and Vancouver) through codeshare agreements. Primary connection hub in Hong Kong or Singapore offers efficient layovers under 4 hours. Economy class features 32-inch seat pitch, traditional Bruneian hospitality, and halal-certified meals. Passengers consistently rate their Economy service 4 out of 5 stars for attentive cabin crew and clean aircraft.

Singapore Airlines

Best for: Superior inflight service and comfort even in Economy Class.

Connects 6 North American cities (Los Angeles, San Francisco, Seattle, New York, Houston, and Vancouver) to Brunei via Singapore. Their Economy Class offers generous 34-inch seat pitch, award-winning entertainment system, and restaurant-quality meals. Short 2-3 hour connection in Singapore’s excellent Changi Airport. Consistently rated 4.5/5 by passengers for overall experience.

Cathay Pacific

Best for: Most frequent connections and flexible scheduling options.

Services 8 North American cities (Los Angeles, San Francisco, New York, Boston, Chicago, Toronto, Vancouver, and Seattle) to Brunei via Hong Kong. Economy cabin features comfortable seats with 32-inch pitch and well-regarded Asian and Western meal options. Connection times in Hong Kong average 3 hours. Passengers rate Economy experience 4/5, particularly praising entertainment options and professional service.

EVA Air

Best for: Value for money with high-quality service standards.

Operates from 5 North American cities (Los Angeles, San Francisco, Seattle, New York, and Toronto) to Brunei via Taipei. Economy class offers 33-inch seat pitch, premium meal service, and comprehensive entertainment options. Connections in Taipei are efficient with average layovers of 3 hours. Consistently receives 4.2/5 rating from passengers for cleanliness and service quality.

Smart routing to Brunei using regional carriers

Traveling from North America to Brunei can be expensive when booking through major carriers, but utilizing regional Asian airlines can lead to significant savings.

The key strategy involves breaking your journey into two segments: getting to a major Asian hub first, then connecting to Brunei via a regional carrier. Here’s how to maximize savings:

1. Book separate tickets – Find deals to Singapore or Kuala Lumpur using major carriers like Korean Air or Japan Airlines
2. Use regional connections – From these hubs, book separate flights on Royal Brunei Airlines, AirAsia, or Scoot for the final leg
3. Time your bookings – Book long-haul flights 4-6 months ahead, but watch for regional carrier sales which often happen 2-3 months before departure

This strategy can save 30-40% compared to booking a single itinerary through major airlines. However, remember to allow sufficient connection time between flights since you’ll need to collect and recheck baggage. Also consider that most regional carriers charge extra for checked bags and meals.

Key regional carriers to consider

Royal Brunei Airlines offers the most direct routes, while AirAsia and Scoot frequently run promotional fares from Singapore and Kuala Lumpur to Brunei.