Saudi Arabian Airlines

✅ 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.

✅ Trip Verified | Check In: checked in online and printed ticket on self-service kiosk in MED airport. Luggage drop is OK. Staff showed couldn't be bothered attitude (I think this is more cultural as ground staff in KUL were totally polite and helpful). No information about the use of lounge was given. Boarding: satisfactory. The flight overall is sufficiently good. Seat is comfortable. Flight Attendants: Polite and efficient. Good English for both formal chores as well as casual conversations. Attentive. Meal: Satisfactory. Presentation is good. Selection is limited. In Flight Entertainment: Good selection. Satisfactory head-phone quality.

✅ Trip Verified | Saudi Airlines staff who are working in Kuala Lumpur International Airport (who are in the last check in gate) are the worst staff I have ever seen. They are tough and has no idea about customer care services! They took one of my hand bags which has boarding label, and was threatening me that they will cancel my flight and load off my luggage from the aeroplane. Wen I told them my kid will come and take it from the airport, they said they will throw it in trash.

✅ Trip Verified | Dropping the bag took 15min, we got on the plane as expected in time. After about 30min we were told of technical problem needed fixing. After another 30min we asked to leave the plane and wait at the gate for more than 2 hours. The 4-5 Saudia staff shared no information, we were served a box of water, After another hours we were asked to go out and collect our bags before going to a hotel - there was no information of where to collect the bags and to which hotel. This was another 2 hours almost when the bags arrived. I managed to find a bus that took me to the hotel. So far no information about a replacement flight time or day. I’ll never use or recommend this company.

Not Verified | I flew from London Heathrow on a very clean 787 with good food, good working video screen and had a row all to myself. Changed at Jeddah for a gruelling 10 hour flight to Jeddah. The plane was an old 777, absolutely jam packed with passengers, the seat back videos didn't work, instead were told to use our smartphones to login to the onboard WiFi for entertainment programmes. The signal kept going on and off. Complete waste of time. The worst thing about this long flight was the food. Tasteless and small quantities. Whereas other airlines leave a basket of snacks and drinks in the galleys, not this one. You had to ask for something. The return a few weeks later from Jakarta to Jeddah was exactly the same. Why does this airline treat it's customers on this route like cattle? These are all humble paying passengers. Why are they so stingy on this route. I was very disappointed especially as the Jeddah London route was so good. Goes to show they can provide quality if they want to.