Royal Airways (IATA designation EA, ICAO EAW), formally the Royal Erbonian Airways Corporation, is the flag carrier of the Kingdom of Great Nortend and the main air line operating out thereof and the only air line based therein. Its headquarters are currently located at Aviation House, on the Calbend in Lendert. RA is based at Royal St. Christopher's Airport whence it operates a number of flights daily to destinations all across the globe. Royal Airways carries passengers and the Royal Family, as well as air letters and parcels part of the Royal Mails of the General Post Office.
History
Royal Airways was established in 1933 from the amalgamation of the Nortan European Air Service, Haxley Airways and Hambrian Airways under Royal charter issued by His Majesty King Edmund IX. At first only operating flights a single route from the then St. Christopher's Aerodrome, it has gradually broadened into a hub-and-spoke flight system operating out of Royal St. Christopher's Airport.
Governance
Royal Airways is governed by the terms of its Royal charter as issued in 1933 and amended in 1982. Absolute control of the air line is vested in the Court of Directours which is chaired by the Governour. The day-to-day operations of the air line is managed by the Managing Directour, since 2019 Sir Colling Barnes.
Royal Airways operates a large number of flights to a variety of destinations across the world on a hub and spoke model. Its main hub is Royal St. Christopher's Airport, in Great Nortend. It currently operates a number of direct and stopping routes. Emboldened destinations are direct routes.
* First class only available on some flights to these destinations.
RA offers two classes of travel for passengers: second class and first class. Peers, judges, general officers of the Royal Navy or Army Royal, members of the Royal Family, members of the Privy Council and the families thereof are automatically upgraded to first class subject to availability.
In second class, available on all flights, Royal Airways offers a number of attractive features.
- Check-in between four hours and forty-five minutes before your flight
- Comfortable padded fabric seats 20 inches wide
- Seats are able to recline 20 degrees with a generous seat pitch of 36 inches
- Window curtains, blankets and complimentary toiletries
- Maximum one item of checked luggage per passenger up to four stone
- Complimentary paperback book loans
- Complimentary hot and cold beverages and a selection of alcoholic drinks.
- Freshly prepared hot meals with steel cutlery and glassware*
Royal Airways offers first class on all long haul flights and most short haul flights, including the following luxury services in addition to the amenities of second class:
- Check-in between seven hours and thirty minutes before your flight
- Access to the exclusive First Class lounge*
- Luxury padded leather seats with hand-crafted walnut and oak inlay
- Seat pitch of 85 inches and a width of 40 inches
- Room to stow trucks and luggage at feet
- Seats can recline up to 85 degrees for superior relaxation
- Maximum three items of checked baggage, five stone each
- Luxurious oriental rugs and stylish wallpaper
- Partially enclosed curtained compartments
- Complimentary choice of reading and listening material on board
- Complimentary in-flight telegrammes and telephone calls and writing material
- Stowable leather-lined table
- A wide range of alcoholic drinks
- Table service with tablecloths, crockery, silver cutlery and crystalware*
- Choice of complimentary gourmet meals from a la carte menu*
- One steward per eight first class passengers.
Lounge
Royal Airways operates a First Class lounge at a number of airports. It is open to all first class ticket holders, general officers of the Royal Navy or Army Royal, members of the Royal Family, members of the Privy Council and silver members or above of the Royal Airways Society, and the immediate families thereof if travelling with the eligible person.
Whilst exact details differ according to location, the First Class lounge usually has the following services and amenities available to passengers:
- Quiet atmosphere
Exquisite rugs and carpets from the Orient
A complimentary gourmet buffet
A restaurant-cum-tearoom with complimentary tea and three-course meals
Letter dictation, telephone and telegramme service and local and international stamps
Local newspapers and international newspapers, and a selection of Nortan newspapers, free of charge
Bureaux-de-change at a competitive rate
Comfortable padded seats and low tables
A lending library with quality literature*
A bar with complimentary beers, wines and spirits
Boarding directly from lounge (some airports only)
Warming fireplace or heater and air conditioning
Locations where Royal Airways offers a First Class lounge are:
Services
Other services offered to all Royal Airways passengers include:
- Book loans : For sixpence per book up to two books each, passengers may loan books for their flight at locations with a First Class lounge. Books must be returned to stewards upon arrival at destination.
Flight cancellation for only five shillings up to forty eight hours prior to scheduled departure. Else, a charge of forty shillings will be incurred.
The Royal Airways Society is an exclusive club operated by Royal Airways open to ladies and gentlemen alike. It is similar to a frequent flyer programme however boasts a number of additional benefits. Membership is gained by applying to the Society. There are three tiers of membership, Silver, Gold and the Fellowship, awarded to certain members. Advancement from Silver to Gold is subject to years of membership, flights taken and payment of membership fees.
There is an annual membership fee of £10 for Silver and increasing to £20 for Gold. This charge is reduced depending on the number of flights taken every year, with each flight resulting in the deduction of one pound. Fellowships are for life and have no charge associated.
Benefits for members, depending on the tier, include complimentary afternoon tea*, seat selection*, expedited check-in, increase in luggage weight limits, stand-by list priority, reduced air fares, travel agent discounts, complimentary access to the First Class lounge and lounges of partner airlines, upgrades to First Class*, access to clubrooms around the world, and more.
* Certain flights only.
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