Saudi Arabian Airlines

RUH-LHR return Business. Outbound the business and first class check in is mobbed by economy passengers asked several staff to be checked in as I was in business class and told to wait - after 45 minutes I demanded to be checked in as flight was closing to be told by the same Saudi staff I didn't you realise your were business class. Flight out fine Asian staff friendly and obliging the Senior walked around the cabin with a scolding look on his face. Return much older aircraft seats dirty and did not recline food dreadful cabin looked filthy staff cold rude and didn't care less that 3 kids running around the cabin actually slapping other passengers as their parents did not care what they did. The final straw IFE not working. Airline gets worse every time I fly with them no more.

JED-CAI on all economy A300 - one of my worst travel experiences ever. Departure was set for 3:45 am however plane was delayed on the ground for 1.5 hours and we ended up departing at 5:15 am. Delay apparently due to the fact that they left some luggage in the terminal. During the wait aircraft was hot and sticky and air conditioning was giving out hot air despite the 38C outside temperature. Cabin crew couldnt' be bothered to reassure passengers shrugging shoulders and showing no signs of care at all to complains. Water and refreshing tissues were eventually distributed but the ordeal was unbearable. Seats were small uncomfortable and ripped at parts. There was no inflight entertainment not even in-flight magazines.

My wife was booked Riyadh to Bangalore travelling alone and booked in business class. We arrived at the airport at 0100 hrs and completed check in. She was given a boarding pass which did not mention the number of the Gate from which to board. When I asked the man at the counter which gate we should go to he waved his hand dismissively and told me to go to immigration. When my wife went to immigration she was told the flight was cancelled and referred back to the airline. We came back and asked a Saudi Airlines employee; he told us the flight would leave at 1300 hrs. I asked him why this information was not communicated to us earlier as we had provided our mobile numbers at the time of booking. I also asked why this was not told to us when the boarding pass was issued. There was no satisfactory response to my questions. We reached our home at 3 am and returned to the airport at 11 am. There was no indication at the airport of when the flight would leave or indeed which from which gate passengers should depart. The staff of Saudi Airlines were of no help at all. The plane finally left at 2 pm. On board my wife found that her seat would not recline and she had sit upright for 5 hours. Though Saudi Airlines advertises vegetarian Indian food for flights to India there was no vegetarian meal available. Not only is the service deplorable but staff are brusque and unhelpful. We choose this carrier because it is the only one that has a direct flight from Riyadh to Bangalore. Perhaps we should start flying other carriers even if it means a transhipment because their staff may be more competent and helpful.

RUH–JED. RUH domestic terminal checked in using the self-service kiosks. Security done in less than a minute and then airside in this somewhat tired looking terminal. Saudi Arabian has a small Business Class Lounge which was crowded but offered a selection of hot food sandwiches etc. The boarding process was a bit chaotic but that has been a feature of this part of the world for many years and you just have to go with the flow. B777-200 had the new leather Business Class seats angled lie-flat and there is an AVOD IFE system with a large screen. This was not operative during this short domestic sector. Business Class cabin crew comprised one male and three females – a mix of Asian and Arab personnel who were attentive and cheerful. Arabic coffee and dates and inflight a full hot meal was served comprising hot rolls salad choice of pasta or roast chicken and dessert. All in all a very pleasant experience.

This airline does not measure up to other 3 star airlines in terms of service. I just flew 3 legs (2 economy and 1 business). The staff attitude is basically indifference to passengers. Two of my legs were delayed 1 hour plus yet they did not announce the delay until after the departure time. For one there was nobody at the gate to answer any questions (DMM to DXB). Business class service on board decent food was average. Things like making sure people's cell phones are turned off that people stay in their seats at takeoff and landing are virtually ignored by the cabin crew from what I could tell.

Jeddah-London. Airport staff at Jeddah airport were horrible. No assistance was given to my disabled nephew. Aircraft clean and service more than I expected. Meals and service brilliant. AVOD great. Overall worst airport experience but good onboard experience.

RUH-LHR Business class. Check in very slow - we were told to stand to one side although it was our turn to check in as a party of VIPS arrived with 40 cases. Lounge fine with good array of food and drinks. Internet stations and staff friendly. Full business class cabin with lie flat seats. AVOD good with plentiful selection of recent movies and programmes/games. Crew were efficient but very robotic - no smiles. Food average although plenty if it. All juices available and capuccino/espresso if wanted. Overall a good experience.

LHR-JED RUH-LHR B777s seating 3x4x3. Check in is terrible no online seat reservations no drop off bag facility so you waste time with only 4 desks open and long queues. Flight was ok - watch out for children running up and down food was quite good planes were clean if a bit old. Service good.

FRA-JED was a nightmare. An A-320 with no first class. Service in Business class was bad. Food was okay.

RUH-DOH Business. Check in fine at RUH no queues straight through security to the lounge. Juices drinks etc and some light food leather couches and quite relaxed. 2x1 seating in this Emb 190 with large old style biz class seats very comfy for one hour flight. Three course meal served - only two of us in Business. Crew friendly bags off promptly in DOH. Had tried to change flight and ran every number possible until I finaly got through the following day after the flight had left - was told next flight full in C but could do Y and told to ask at airport to go stand by for C. Lounge is shared by most carriers in Doha and was good with hot and cold foods espresso etc. Got to gate no C class seat was given. Economy service basic but consistent and food not bad for Economy. Overall inconsistent - some good some bad. The ticketing people in their sales office are probably the most uninterested people i have ever met in any customer services dept.