Royal Jordanian Business Class Flight Review (CHI to AMM)

Last updated on June 14th, 2026

This Royal Jordanian Business Class Review begins in the center of the Midwest. For the geographers out there, yes, that is Chicago, more or less the center of America. My interest in the Middle East had been growing for a while, so I decided to make a trip to Jordan. Westerners tend to assume the entire region is dangerous, when in fact there are very safe and welcoming places to visit, and Jordan is one of them. It is, in many ways, the Switzerland of the region. I am drawn to places that sit slightly off the beaten path, and Jordan had a great deal to offer that was still a mystery to me. I was intrigued.

Flight Details: Royal Jordanian RJ264

Route: Chicago O’Hare (ORD) to Amman Queen Alia (AMM)
Flight: RJ264, evening departure
Duration: Approximately 13 hours
Aircraft (today): Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner
Class: Business (Crown Class)

A Note Before We Board: Then and Now

One thing to be upfront about. I first flew this Chicago to Amman route a while back, and the trip report below is told as I lived it that evening, welcome coffee, Jordanian wine, a full night of sleep and all. The good news for anyone reading today is that Royal Jordanian still operates the only nonstop between O’Hare and Amman, so the journey itself is very much bookable. What has changed is the metal. Back then I flew an older widebody, while the route today is operated by the Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner, with its lower cabin altitude, larger windows and a quieter ride. So treat the seat and cabin sections as a record of a specific trip, and read the section just below for what you will actually find on board in 2026.

The Current Royal Jordanian 787 Business Class Product

Today’s 787-8 carries 24 Crown Class seats in a 2-2-2 layout across four rows. The seats are fully lie-flat with a generous 60 inches of pitch and around 20 inches of width, and Royal Jordanian has added thick mattress pads that make a real difference once you recline fully. The window pairs are well suited to couples travelling together, while the center pairs give solo travellers easier aisle access. The honest caveat is that this is an older Collins Aerospace seat, so window passengers do not get direct aisle access, and some aircraft show a little wear. The more exciting development is that Royal Jordanian is introducing a brand-new reverse herringbone business class on its 787-9 Dreamliners, with a 1-2-1 layout that gives every passenger direct aisle access, and Chicago is among the routes slated to receive the newer aircraft. If you are booking ahead, it is worth checking which Dreamliner is scheduled for your date.

Booking Strategy: Flying to Amman on Points

Royal Jordanian belongs to the oneworld alliance, which opens up several ways to book this flight without paying full cash fare. The most useful partner programs for Crown Class redemptions are British Airways Avios, Qantas Points and Alaska Mileage Plan, with Cathay and other oneworld currencies also in play depending on availability. As a rough guide, expect somewhere in the region of 70,000 to 130,000 points each way in business depending on the program and how it prices a long-haul transatlantic segment, plus taxes and carrier fees on top. Award space on the single daily nonstop can be tight, so flexibility on dates helps enormously. If paying cash, one-way Crown Class fares on the Chicago to Amman nonstop have recently been spotted from a few hundred dollars upward, which can represent strong value for a lie-flat seat on a 13-hour flight.

Whichever way you book, sort out a couple of practical things before departure. I always travel with travel insurance on a long-haul itinerary like this, and Squaremouth is my go-to for comparing policies quickly. For staying connected across Jordan without roaming charges, grabbing an international eSIM before you fly is the easiest move you can make. And if you want to line up Petra, Wadi Rum or a Dead Sea float in advance, Klook is the simplest way to pre-book with instant mobile confirmation.

Pre-Flight: The Lounge at O’Hare

My flight departed in the evening at 9:30 PM. Normally I would not arrive at the airport especially early, but I wanted time to enjoy the lounge before the flight. Checking in was a breeze, and before I knew it I was through priority security. After stuffing my face for an hour or so in the lounge, it was time to board. Naturally, Pierre was first to board. My seat was 1K, right at the front of the cabin. What a great seat to settle into for a long night ahead.

One practical note for any long layover. Even in a premium lounge, I always run NordVPN before connecting to the shared WiFi. It takes about 30 seconds to set up and keeps your devices protected on a network you do not control.

The Cabin and Welcome

Soon after I boarded I was offered an Arabic coffee. They already knew the way to my heart. On today’s 787 the welcome is similar, with a choice of Arabic coffee or a glass of champagne, and a bottle of water waiting at the seat. Getting acquainted with the controls was its own small pleasure. On a flight of more than eleven hours you genuinely want the ability to lie all the way down, and this seat delivered. As luck would have it I was seated next to someone who lived not far from my hometown. We had a great conversation on the way, though I am afraid the details are staying between us.

The Seat

The seats in the business cabin were very comfortable. The footrest and seatback adjusted easily so you could find your optimal position and eventually lie flat to sleep and count sheep. Thanks to the timing of the flight I was able to get a full night of rest, enjoy the experience and wake up full of energy as we approached Amman in the afternoon. For reference, the current 787 seat reclines to the same fully flat position, with the added benefit of the thick mattress pad that the airline now provides.

Food and Drink

Shortly after we were airborne it was time for the first round of food and drinks. The first course was mixed nuts alongside a beverage of my choice. I went with a Jordanian Shiraz, which was a genuinely pleasant surprise and a nice nod to the country I was heading toward.

Not long after, dinner arrived and I was giddy just thinking about it. We started with smoked salmon, a mixed salad and a bread roll with cheese. I went for another glass of wine, which paired beautifully with the food. The course was very tasty across the board, and the salmon in particular stood out. There is something quietly luxurious about being looked after while you eat well and watch a good movie at altitude.

Looking through the menu, I noticed several entree choices and assumed we would each order the single dish we preferred. Instead, they brought out all of them and let us choose whatever we wanted. I went with the beef, some pasta and vegetables to round it out, and it all paired quite well with the wine. The main event was soon over and it was time for dessert. There were several cakes on offer including a cheesecake, which I ordered and rounded off with a cognac. Super tasty, and it sent me straight off to sleep. I slept a solid six to seven hours, and when I woke there were only a few hours left until we reached our destination. One of the smoothest flights of my life.

Breakfast Service

All that sleep worked up an appetite, and before long breakfast was on its way. The choice was pancakes or a cheese omelette. I went with the omelette, which came with hash browns, mushrooms, fruit, bread and of course more coffee. Breakfast did not reinvent the wheel, but it was solid and I enjoyed every bite. By this point my anticipation to explore Jordan was building fast.

Entertainment

Once I had settled in, I spent some time with the in-flight entertainment, and I was satisfied with the selection. There was a good mix of brand-new and classic titles across movies and TV. I had heard a lot of good things about one film in particular, so I started the flight with Brooklyn. On today’s 787 the entertainment system is a newer generation with USB and AC power at every seat, and the aircraft is WiFi enabled, so you can stay connected if you prefer to use your own device.

Service

The flight attendant who looked after my section was warm, attentive and genuinely welcoming, greeting every interaction with a smile and anticipating what I needed before I asked. That kind of easy, personable service is exactly what elevates a long flight, and it left a strong impression. Jordanian hospitality has a real reputation, and the crew lived up to it.

Arrival: Off to the Dead Sea

Within a couple of hours we landed in Amman, and I was whisked off toward the Dead Sea to begin the trip properly. If you are planning the same, it is worth booking a hotel near the Dead Sea or in Amman in advance, since the best properties fill quickly. The luxury hotel options around the Dead Sea and Amman are excellent value compared to similar resorts elsewhere, and a night floating in those famously salty waters is the perfect antidote to a long-haul flight.

Royal Jordanian vs The Competition

Having reviewed several business class products across different carriers, here is how this Royal Jordanian Business Class experience stacks up against others I have covered on this site:

For more detailed comparisons with other carriers, read my full JAL Business Class Review and my EVA Air Business Class Review to see how each product holds up across a full long-haul journey.

Should You Book Royal Jordanian Business Class?

Final Thoughts on This Royal Jordanian Business Class Review

This was my first experience with Royal Jordanian, and the verdict was clear: they did the whole thing right. The standards matched what I would expect from a high-end airline, the service was a genuine highlight, and I arrived rested and ready to explore. I would not hesitate to fly Royal Jordanian again, and I would happily encourage you to do the same, particularly now that the route runs on the 787 Dreamliner with a newer cabin on the way. If Jordan has been on your list, this is the most comfortable way to get there from the middle of America. Happy travels.

Planning the rest of your trip? Pre-book Petra, Wadi Rum and Dead Sea experiences through Klook, sort your connectivity with a Jordan eSIM, and protect the journey with travel insurance before you go.

Frequently Asked Questions About Royal Jordanian Business Class