The Unique Role of Security Personnel at Royal Jordanian Airlines

The State of Security Personnel at Royal Jordanian

Recently, my experience with Royal Jordanian Airlines sparked a lot of thoughts, especially regarding the presence of air marshals on every flight. Unlike in the U.S., where these officers are only on select flights and often keep a low profile, Royal Jordanian seems to take a completely different approach.

The Security Personnel Program at Royal Jordanian

I noticed that Royal Jordanian has security personnel on all its flights. This reminded me of the security measures employed by some countries, like EgyptAir, where uniformed officers are present on most flights. However, Royal Jordanian has chosen a distinctive approach—they create ambiguity about the location of these personnel on board.

Security Personnel: Out of Sight, Out of Mind

Interestingly, the security officers at Royal Jordanian typically sit in the same spot on every flight, often at the back row of business class. This is peculiar, as they are supposed to remain anonymous and not be too conspicuous. The airline has even removed these seats from the seating chart to avoid raising suspicions.

Unusual Behavior of Security Personnel

What puzzled me even more was that these officers often do not maintain a vigilant state. Throughout the flight, they might wear headphones to watch movies or even doze off, which is not typical behavior for an air marshal who should always be alert and aware of their surroundings.

Comparison with Other Airlines

The security program of Royal Jordanian made me question its effectiveness in today’s security landscape. Many argue that with rising threats such as pilots' mental health issues and potential bomb threats, whether these security personnel truly contribute to the safety of the aircraft is debatable. Compared to EgyptAir, where security is taken more seriously, it seems that Royal Jordanian is employing an outdated model.

Useful Information for Vietnamese Travelers

For those planning to fly with Royal Jordanian, please note that the airline does not require a visa for Vietnamese citizens if you are only transiting in Amman. However, if you wish to stop and explore Jordan, you will need to obtain a visa in advance. Flight prices from Hanoi or Ho Chi Minh City to Amman range from 12 million VND to 15 million VND. Be mindful of the timing for booking your tickets, as the peak travel seasons are from April to June and September to October.

This overview provides insights into the operations of security personnel at Royal Jordanian Airlines. Have you ever flown with this airline, and is there anything interesting you would like to share?

Reference and edited from: One Mile at a Time