The airline that survived a war and a royal divorce

History · Published 19 October 2026 Swipe more like this →

In short: Royal Jordanian's history is a study in resilience, moving from a private venture to a state-owned flag carrier. It has navigated regional conflicts, fleet overhauls, and a rebranding necessitated by a royal divorce, all while becoming the first Arab airline to join a global alliance.

Established in December 1963 by King Hussein, the airline originally operated as Alia Royal Jordanian Airlines. It was named after the King's eldest child, Princess Alia bint Al Hussein, rather than his third wife, Queen Alia. Initially, the airline operated a small group of aircraft including a Douglas DC-7 and two Handley Page Dart Heralds, connecting locations such as Cairo, Beirut, and Kuwait City. While initially funded by private shareholders, the Jordanian government eventually took over the company's operations.

The airline's growth was interrupted by the 1967 Six-Day War, during which Israeli air raids destroyed its DC-7 aircraft. These were replaced by Fokker F27s, and the carrier continued to expand into Europe and the Middle East throughout the 1970s. A significant turning point occurred in December 1986 when the airline rebranded to Royal Jordanian Airlines following Princess Alia's divorce. This era also saw the introduction of the first female pilot and the inauguration of the Gabriel Automated Ticket System.

In the 21st century, the airline pivoted toward modernization and global integration. It became the first Arab carrier to join the Oneworld alliance in 2007. Despite facing high fuel prices and market risks, it expanded its reach to China and Europe, and eventually underwent privatization in late 2007, selling 71% of its assets. By 2017, a new turnaround plan helped return the company to profitability, leading to a strategy of fleet optimization and a focus on regional connectivity.

General information, not professional advice. Spotted an error? Flag the card or see corrections and complaints.

Intellect Plus is a visual educational discovery platform for exploring fascinating facts and ideas. Brain Food, Not Brain Rot. What is Intellect Plus?

Related

• The airline that survived wars, mergers, and name changes
• From a royal gift to a global carrier: the evolution of Saudi Arabia's airline.
• The airline that was once owned by four nations
• The airline that survived a decade of war and hijackings
• How a Sharjah-based airline pioneered the low-cost model across the Middle East
• The Sultan who wept as he gave away his capital
• From 18th-century electricity to 20th-century tank parts
• The kingdom founded by a hunting dog and an oversized ant
• The 300-year legal campaign to erase the Romani identity in Spain
• The office created to manage a rebellion was eventually dismantled by it
• The village where the Continental Army court-martialed General Charles Lee
• The American political seats that exist in name but not in power

More in History by country, small region and city · More in History · Latest · A–Z · All topics