RJ marks 30 years of operation to New York

On July 11, 1977, Alia, as Royal Jordanian was called at the time, operated a Boeing 747 to New York, the first time Jordanians and Arab residents were able to fly nonstop from the Middle East to the United Sates.

This route has largely supported commerce, economy and tourism between Jordan and the US over the past 30 years. Now Royal Jordanian operates three direct flights to the US: five weekly flights to New York, seven weekly flights to Chicago and two weekly flights to Detroit. On May 25, the airline launched a new nonstop service to Montreal, Canada.

On New York and other US routes, RJ operates Airbus A340 aircraft. Thirty-three per cent of the airline's annual revenues are generated by its operations to and from the US. The passengers on these routes represent 14% of the overall number of RJ passengers, which is likely to reach 2.2 million by the end of this year.

Amman is considered a central point for the Middle East passengers traveling to the US. RJ's membership in the oneworld airline alliance in April 2007 has simplified travel from Amman to RJ's three US destinations, and from there to all US states and cities by American Airlines, the largest airline in the alliance. RJ also has a code share agreement connecting it with America West Airlines.