Royal Brunei airlines flights- ok to buy?

terrimolo

Hi
I just want to point out that the search forum function isn't working on my iPod, so although I've looked at the past 20 pages or so, I haven't been able to do a search on this subject, sorry!
Anyway, I've found some really well priced flights with royal brunai from London to Dubai in January. Hoping to stay a few days then fly on to Sri Lanka with an Asian budget airline and back via the same route.

I went into sta travel to see what prices they could give me for the same journey (I'm under 26) but they couldn't match it bcos they don't sell royal Brunei flights as they aren't a protected airline and are always on the verge of bankruptcy. As a national carrier, I'm not sure how they could go bankrupt.
My question is if they did go bankrupt (and how likely is that to happen) what would happen if I've booked my flights with them? I know ATOL protection only comes with package holidays, so what can I do to protect myself if I buy these flights online?
Hope someone can give me a hand here cos the difference in price is pretty sizable and I'm hoping to get them booked asap.
Thanks!

Caz3121

paying by credit card should help and also check your travel insurance for supplier failure. Your issue may come if you have the connecting flights booked and are unable to use them

Voyager2002

See if you can buy them through Trailfinders. They built their business on establishing a reputation for helping their customers when problems arise, such as an airline bankruptcy.

bcl999

I recall his brother (Prince Jefri, Jafri?) had money problems a while back but I doubt the Sultan of Brunei would permit his national airline to fail. He used to be world's richest man. I think one of the Russkies or Bill Gates or that Mexican bloke has overtaken him now but he's still not short of a bob or two.

bell123321

I flew with them last October. I had booked via a thomas cook travel agents who said they were a reliable trusted airline. I believe the Sultan owns the airline so I would have thought unlikly to have any issues at the moment. Had no issues flying with them, the only down fall is they do not have alchohol on board. However I believe you can buy duty free and take it on board. However this was not an issue for us as I have not drunk alchohol in the air before.