Saudi Arabian Airlines

✅ Trip Verified | Check in was good and guy changed my seat so I was by the window. Seats were comfortable enough for an average economy flight. Pillow blanket provided to Jed-Ams with a small pack with eye mask, socks and dental (toothbrush and paste). Entertainment on my seat didn’t work, they reset it but still wasn’t 100% so just watched from seat next to me as it was free. Lots of kids on flight and they were provided a kit. Movies are older but sufficient for 6 hours. One meal provided and I had no choice as all options gone by they got to me. It was beans which tasted terrible with yoghurt and fruit. I asked for more yogurt and fruit and it was provided but the service is slow and somewhat unfriendly. Was always asked if I wanted juice but I always had to ask for coffee and only creamer and no milk available. Flight was good value considering the cost (250 usd return Saudi to Europe) but next time I’ll bring my own food and if I’m spending more I’d prefer to fly another airline.

✅ Trip Verified | Extremely congested Aeroplane. Pathetic food quality. Ridiculous airport conditions at Jeddah Airport. My luggage wasn’t boarded on my flight from Jeddah to Delhi. Customer support is worst. For everything, you need to contact Main office in Saudi Arabia only.

✅ Trip Verified | Fabulous service from our attendant Janani. She was attentive, gracious and went out of her way to make us comfortable and feel special. We are grateful for her professionalism and her incredibly positive and helpful manner. Highly recommend.

✅ Trip Verified | One of the worst ground staff ever. They rejected my sister (flying with my elderly mum and dad, under the same booking reference) from Cairo to Jeddah to perform Umrah, because as per their staff she couldn't fly on my sponsored visa issued by MoFA (as all of them were). My parents took the flight unaccompanied and I booked for my sister a new flight with layover in Riyadh with a different airline and this time she was accepted. But now they don't want to refund the Cairo-Jeddah business class ticket because "she didn't show up" as per the customer service. I did a complaint and they responded with the same answer that my sister was a no-show, how come if she's the one accompanying my elderly parents with the additional Altanfeethi vip service.

✅ Trip Verified | I had an extremely bad experience with Saudi Airlines two days before when coming from Jeddah to Lahore. I arrived 5 hours before the flight time, but there was a long queue of passengers for check in, on asking it was revealed that check in is open for all people together going to Bombay, Islamabad and Lahore on the same counters, no separate counter for each flight. After waiting for almost 2 hours in the queue when it was my turn their supervisor announced that they will first take Bombay passengers as their flight time is close and I was put on hold, after waiting another 30 minutes they again hold me and said they will first check in Islamabad passengers now as Islamabad flight time is early, after waiting another 30 minutes when finally it came my turn then they simply denied to check in for Lahore saying the flight is full! I had a confirmed ticket bought one month before but then denied me even though there were 2 hours still before flight departure. The attitude of staff was rude, unprofessional and cheap third class. I went to their office and their manager said it is allowed for them to overbook and now you will be transferred to the next available flight which was 13 hours after my original flight. It was really frustrating that even though I had a confirmed ticket and check-in was still open still about 15 people were denied to check in with rude behavior and reason being flight over booked. Later on I found that people going to Islamabad and Karachi were facing the same issue. Extremely bad policies of Saudi Airlines and bad practice by them, it means there is no guarantee of a confirmed booked ticket even if you arrive hours before check in? Will never travel with them again, such a bad airline.

✅ Trip Verified | Really good flight, on time with nice meal served for an only 2 hour flight. Only negative was the somewhat chaotic boarding process. They list zones on the boarding passes, but never use them in practice boarding. Would use again.

✅ Trip Verified | It was a great experience. Food was really delicious. The flight was 6 hr, and they serve first coffee or tea then, main-meal and it was good about the taste and quantity, then coffee or tea again, then small meal, and you can ask for more.

✅ Trip Verified | Travelled KWI-JED-BKK-RUH 26-27 October 2023 for the sole purpose of retaining my dear Gold Card with Air France. Aircrafts were A320-Neo and B787s, respectively. Could not check-in online; only for the last of the 3 legs, but that would be disallowed anyway as the sequence of travel legs must be adhered to. Thus, I became worried as I came to Kuwait from abroad for positioning to start the travel correctly. After some search I found the right transfer desk and got full cooperation but they could still not check me fully in but they rendered me lounge access until the travel became “unlocked”. Four hours prior to departure, a Saudia officer came. After some clarification from my side, he eventually produced all my 3 boarding passes; easing my mind and my onward logistics. By having the BPs I would be able to stay airside throughout travel. I was neither asked for passport again, neither in Kuwait, Jeddah, or Bangkok. I love the ease, freedom, as the BPs does the entire job. Kuwait airport can be a challenge for a first time visitor and Westerner. It is old, small and very Arabic, took some time to get orientation for transit. Few speak English, and they lack non-Arab exposure. The arrivals and the departures are not separated and there are potential security issues. Throughout my three Saudia travels there was no premium towards priority passengers whether business travellers or elite card holders. Except for lounge access. Dasman Lounge in Kuwait (KWI) has interesting exotic (Arab) food offerings. And, loads of soft drinks. Dry as a biscuit (no alcohol). Half of the guests are in the smoking room. Cigarettes must be cheap, nobody smokes their sticks beyond half before throwing them as butts. Onboard to JED, on the A320, the configuration was 2 x 2 in business, while 3 x 3 in economy. Huge seats, IFE, and advanced headset was available. The crew were good, attentive. Welcome drink were lemon mint juice. Thereafter, we had saffron yellow hot tea, which is a local delicatesse. After an early breakfast (Arabian choices), I had some sleep in the recliner. Flight on time. Al Fursan lounge in Jedda must be a Mecca for lounge goers: it is the largest SkyTeam lounge worldwide. A first class section provides even a cigar room and a date bar. Slumber rooms, cafes, authentic Arabic food stations, sports room, restaurants. Also, a piano podium is at disposition. Next flight JED-BKK on a newer B787-10. Bus gating, but quite quick. Nice cabin and chair. Even it was a window seat I could hardly reach near to it to view as the distance in the skewed seats is excessive. Safety belts are like car belts, which prevents the body from being torn apart in events of crashes. Nice touch. I saw cabin crew praying on the floor during travel; it makes me uncomfortable and I see it as a disciplinary issue. Welcome drinks offered. Menu cards. Dishes hard to understand for non-Arabs without supportive pictures. In Bangkok, Saudia uses the quite ordinary, 3rd party Miracle Lounge for its business passengers. However, this is a conflict of interests as Miracle refuses acceptance of Saudia visitors until 3 hours before departure. Not acceptable. Me, as a Flying Blue gold card holder I could access the AF/KLM SkyTeam lounge with ease some 17 hours prior to departure. The front desk told me that they refer Saudia Business travellers to the poorer Miracle lounges. Thus, FB status overtrumps cabin class assignment; new lesson to be learnt. The SkyLounge is good and has improved a bit; nice showers, piano background music, sparkling wines and more food options than earlier. However, a bar, bartender, and a noodle station is still needed for it to cope with the three leading lounges in BKK which are SQ, QR, and CX. Flight from Bangkok to Riyadh went smooth, though no WiFi onboard. At boarding, me and my hand-luggage was searched for possibly carrying any alcoholic drinks. I had a few, but they somehow passed. The anti-alcohol policy is more policed than for other dry carriers, e.g. PIA or Egypt Air. In Riyadh I was humiliated to pay 150 USD for transit visa, which was perceived as robbery; I had my onwards flight clearly sorted out but was forced to pay. The verdict is very bumpy and mixed. I do like SVs pragmatic approach and their IT system works despite a few hiccups on inability to print out initial BP, while the subsequent have no issues. Flew on time all 3 flights. Given my earned mileage instantly after each leg accomplished. The membership to Skyteam is an invaluable asset and creates more international and ecumenical exposure to the airline and their staff, which is necessary for any expansion. A recurrent issue with SV appears (from 150 reviews read) to be missing or delayed checked luggage which leaves an angry mob behind and taints the company.

Not Verified | My wife, daughter (3 years old), and myself are all vegan. This airline was the least accommodating to our dietary needs than any other airline I ever flew and we fly often! I tried multiple times to contact the airline via phone (more than a month before our flight) and in person to change our meals to vegan options. I arrived at the airport 5 hours before our departure time. I tried changing our meals to vegan at check in. They informed me I had to change it at the gate. Once I arrived at the gate they told me I had to change it at check in. I was resigned to the idea that this first half of my flight would not include a vegan option for my family and I. So I thought maybe I could get a vegan meal on our connecting flight to Dubai. The man at the gate informed me that it was possible to change meals 24 hours before the flight but could not provide a number, person, or website to use to change it. I write this review so that this issue can be corrected and also to warn families who are vegetarian or vegan.

✅ Trip Verified | Checking in: checked in online and drop luggage procedure in KUL was good. Ground staff was polite and efficient and voluntarily informed me that I can use Golden Lounge in KLIA Satellite. Flight: Satisfactory boarding procedure. Seat was very good and comfortable (reverse herringbone 1-2-1 config). All window seats have good/unobstructed access to at least one of the windows. Flight Attendants: attentive and helpful. Able to communicate in English well during the formalities. However when you try to converse casually, there seems to be some lack of English proficiency. Food: limited choice, Presentation is satisfactory. Satisfactory taste wise. Asked for some refreshments later during the flight but it was out already out of stock. Flight onboard entertainment: Good selection. A little tricky in using the hand-held control though. Headphone is satisfactory in quality. Luggage: rather efficient. Premium bags came out first as it should with short waiting time.