Saudi Arabian Airlines

✅ Trip Verified | We came from Dhaka to London Gatwick via Jeddah this week, with no luggage. Missing luggage. They are chaotic, with no customer service. They cancel your booking, they don't serve a proper meal.

✅ Trip Verified | On my second leg onwards from Jeddah to Milan, I used the bid for an upgrade feature offered by Saudia and my proposal was successful, hence flew in J class onwards. My first impression of this flight started poorly as it was delayed without any formal explanation for the delay. I was just sent a text message out of the blue saying my flight was delayed full stop. However, since my flight was delayed, it was nice to be able to use the Alfrusan Lounge to pass the 6.5-hour layover. The lounge facilities were quite nice, but one downside was the front desk ladies, who were too busy chatting and a bit aloof to my queries when I sought assistance. When finally onboard, the seats were lie flat and satisfactory for the 5 hours hop. Meals and service onboard were just okay. In summary, my impressions of my experience on this J product felt average as nothing stood out, maybe even slightly below average.

Not Verified | This was an excellent flight and had everything to make the near 14-hour flight go by fast. Meals were good as the catering was done in Seoul as opposed to Jeddah. I’ve found that catering isn’t always the best whenever I fly out of Jeddah. No seat neighbors in economy, so I could do what I coined the ‘Saudia stretch’ in economy across the empty seats. For the first time, my AVOD system didn’t glitch at all, allowing me to watch all my flicks without interruptions, which was heaven. Last but not least, the flight attendants on this leg were friendly, attentive and present with good service and frequent beverage runs. Overall, all the qualities of this trip made for a perfect trip, even while flying on economy.

✅ Trip Verified | Bangkok to Al Ula via Jeddah, and back. On the positive side, I found that Saudia flights were Likely to be less full than their Middle Eastern counterparts, even during peak Xmas season - on the B787, almost every passenger had the middle seat free, and some even had the entire row to themselves. On the A321, everybody had a row to themselves. I also liked the reasonable pricing during this peak holiday season, somehow perhaps I get the feeling that being a profitable airline isn’t exactly a top priority? Little details like Email notifications on gate assignments & when boarding commences helped too. It may seem so insignificant yet it is actually so useful. One last thing that is so easy to overlook, is that despite the mediocre service to be elaborated upon below, they seem to have a decent on-time performance, one of the best in the world. On the negative side, I found to be really annoying the double security checks on inbound flights, frisked and patted down violently for all passengers, regardless of travel class (Business or Economy). I’m sure no other passenger liked that either. The second security check took place at the aerobridge, just before boarding the aircraft. I found other aspects of the Saudia experience to be simply mediocre or neutral. Starting with the legroom (seat pitch), Interestingly enough their older A321CEOs had the most generous amounts of legroom. The newer B787-9s seemed to scale back on the legroom, which in my opinion was sufficient but not generous. It was around the same as most other Skytrax 4-star airlines like Oman Air & Etihad, which for short or mid-haul flights are still acceptable, but would hurt for longer-haul flights. Also average were the IFE and Meal Service. I put them together because they were all satisfactory and sufficient but not luxurious or generous. Last of all, the Cabin Crew attitude was alright, but not great. They’re certainly still lacking that warmth and personal touch which put most Asian Airlines a cut above the rest.

✅ 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.