Saudi Arabian Airlines

RUH-LHR. Check-in ok except agent told me he had no lounge invitations left and I needed one to get into the lounge even though my ticket was J Class. I went to the lounge and negotiated my way in. The lounge in T2 at RUH is the best lounge at RUH though not the same standard as average lounges you would expect in most international airports. Flight on new B777 on which the IFE did not work. Cabin crew not very helpful though tried to be friendly. At meal service I was informed that I had ordered a special meal when I didn't. I was informed that I did not have a choice! I asked for a menu as non had been offered prior to the meal service nor had any fruit juices and after four attempts I was brought an UK arrival card! Eventually was given a copy of the menu after the service. Tried to use the massage function in my seat but it switched the same function on in my neighbours seat! Watched my ipod and read my book for the rest of the flight. I have flown this airline many times both in Y and J and the service is very it and miss with this episode being the norm.

JED–RUH operated by B777-200 in high density seating configuration with only 2 rows of First Class and the rest Economy in a 3x4x3 layout with a LCC style seat pitch. Most B777s in Economy have a 3x3x3 seating layout and the extra seat therefore results in narrower seats and aisles. This is perhaps acceptable for short haul domestic flights such as this was but this would be almost unacceptable for medium / long haul flights. Somewhat incredibly a hot meal was served in Economy on this 1h 10m flight – a choice of Mixed Grill or Pasta with pitta bread a cake and a Mars Bar. Water came within the Meal Box whilst soft drinks were offered separately along with tea and coffee afterwards. The flight crew were the usual Asian multi- nationals who were efficient professional and cheerful. The flight left on time and arrived early – and all for US$ 75.

DXB-DMM-DXB was good food excellent staff excellent aircraft old but in good shape. DXB- RYD-DXB complete opposite end of the scale DXB-RYD plane kept ascending then climbing crew were strapped into seats for duration upon arrival in Riyadh pilot apologised for the unusual flight caused due to technical problems. Return flight must have been same B747-400 as described by other travellers interior panels falling and fallen off crew not concerned with safety passengers walking up and down aisle while landing crew take your seats announcement after we landed.

LHR-RUH afternoon flight. Used Saudi Airlines due to increased legroom and sensible flight times. Pleasantly surprised by the experience - seats narrow but flight wasn't full so managed to share 3 seats between 2 of us. Food was fine - while I normally like a G&T on a flight I can survive without one! AVOD etc was okay. Immigration at Riyadh was very quick despite warnings from colleagues - obviously not many other international flights coming in at that time. After haggling the taxi to central Riyadh was SAR80.

MXP-JED-DAC DAC-RUH-MXP. Departing flight 2 hours late from MXP and then wait more than 6 hours in JED for connection flight without any information. Nobody knows when the fly or what to do. If you ask someone nobody answered. Very bad staff behavior and information desk don’t know anything. It was hell on returning flight. The flight was late at DAC airport. At RUH waited more than 12 hours for the connection flight. Staff say that departure will be in 1 or two hours but not any exact hour so that they don’t need to allow hotel room for the passenger. I missed my next flight from MXP to ARN and train from ARN to home. Avoid the flight if you don’t want to waste time and money.

RUH-DXB. Airline's website would not accept credit card info; reservation made through the airline's toll-free number (the prices on the website were incorrect anyway). There was a quick security screen before check-in at RUH. As I was about to place my luggage on the belt a worker told me that he would do it. After it went through the scanner he rolled it about 30 feet to the check-in line. All of this took about a minute. I tipped him a dollar US which was the only small bill I could find quickly. He informed me that this was inadequate so I dug into my carry-on and found a bit more. This was very irritating. Other passengers also were annoyed by this and an elderly Saudi passenger who joined me in line used his cane to send his "helper" away when he requested additional tip. Check-in was quick and went smoothly. Boarding was not announced; it just happened. There was "open boarding" in coach (meaning seat assignments were ignored). Seat pitch was very good. Food surprisingly good. Flight attendants were efficient on this short flight and sufficiently friendly. The flight left and arrived on time.

LHR-JED-LHR. Check in at Heathrow very slow arrived 4 hours before as requested checked in 1 hour before - had to run to the aircraft! Problem was staff were dealing with LHR-RUH-LHR flight and both flights were overbooked. Staff at Jeddah terminal have big attitude problem. Staff on the plane do not assist with seating so if someone has taken your seat you have to co-ordinate everything and get the passenger to move yourself.

I have travelled from London and back six times between London and Dammam sometimes via Jeddah and sometimes via Riyadh because our company policy is that we must. Jeddah is a lousy experience. It took so long to clear passport control that I got bumped from my connecting flight and had to buy a ticket from another airline. The transfer desk is a clamouring horde and you have to fight your way to the front. No information is given out at Dammam Airport either in Arabic or English as to departure gate numbers. Flights are labelled "free seat" at the last minute even when you've got your seat number and Saudis like to play musical chairs so that you aren't sitting next to their womenfolk or so they can sit in family groups. The ticket sales staff are rude and indifferent and lack the language skills necessary for the job. The ground staff likewise. They invariably start shouting at you if you express any disagreement with them. On my last flight back to Saudi from London my booking was cancelled and I had to go through my company's travel section to get it reinstated.

Frankfurt to Riyadh A320-200. The allocated lounge (sky lounge of Korean Air) is large but of minimal facilities and at the furthest point away from the SV gate in T2 concourse E). Boarding was efficient despite no line for J class passengers. Better in flight service than the outbound flight but nothing really personal. Lunch selection was not available and fruit juices were not fresh (although advertised as such). IFE operational but with little selection way below other carriers. All products I was interested in to buy on sky sales were not available (found out that the aircraft was not restocked for 48 hours prior to the outbound flight). This lack of consistency and attention to detail make SV an unfavorable airline particularly if you are planning to travel as a premier customer.

Riyadh to Frankfurt A320-200. Check in : terrible Y class passengers pushing themselves to the J class line as if there were a line - the location is filthy with dirty carpet and luggage tags everywhere. No web check in available for international flights. Boarding disorganized no priority boarding for J class passengers. Cabin with good temperature although utilization of a single aisle aircraft was disappointing for this 6 hour flight. Seat Leather good pitch and width but the leg support failed to extend properly. Staff service automated masked faced service non welcoming un-professional when attempting to answer question on lack of IFE. Breakfast was Y class quality in plastic container. Snack acceptable. Drinks basic. IFE operating but not loaded with anything (not even the safety video) the Flight attendant didn't do it manually. Very disappointing experience not of business class standard. SV continues to be so inconsistent.