Saudi Arabian Airlines

The worst airline I have been on. Boarding management was poor, entertainment system on unit was not working and crew member had only one answer that they could change my seat. My special meal was served to someone else. No proper management at Jeddah airport, dirty and smelly toilets, poor boarding system from Jeddah and passengers started pushing and staff did nothing about it. Flight from Jeddah to New Delhi was awful. Seats were so uncomfortable and entertainment unit was missing on my seat this time. Food quality was very bad.

First time flying with Saudi Arabian Airlines from Toronto to Abu Dhabi via Jeddah and Riyadh, returning back to Toronto via Jeddah A very good airline, excellent service and entertainment, food very tasty and good seats. There were no delays, excellent departures and landing. Price was very cheap

Our route was from Jeddah to Paris (JED-CDG) on Boeing 777-300ER. The plane was new and the business class seat was very comfortable. We were very happy of the cabin crew service during the flight. My baby was crying for 4 hours and they provided non stop help and assistance. The food was amazing, especially the lobster. sSveral channels of entertainment system was opened.

Our route from Geneva to Riyadh was on A320, the plane was full. Cabin crew provided a food menu after soft drinks, menu with meat, chicken and fish. Cabin crew appeared an excellent service for 5 hours. The plane was not bad but I suggest to use new widebody to Europe rather than narrow body. Connected flight from Riyadh to Jeddah was on Boeing 777-200, the seats were very tight. The service was good, since we sat in the first row I asked a baby chair, but not one provided. A special meal was requested since the reservation time, and cabin crew served it, with thanks.

It is difficult to find a seat reservation with Saudi Arabian Airlines at least one week before especially at holidays and vacations. Ground staff are the worst. Its rare not to find someone clashing with them every time because they know you don't have another option rather than them. At once the ground service clashed with me because he wasn't able to recognize my e-ticket on his computer system. Although the ticket is created by their system. How come this to be my fault. Most of the time I travel with one shoulder bag to avoid the ground services, I prefer to deal with a screen and software rather than dealing with them. The flight crew seems to be more welcoming and hospitable. Their planes look good, I think they are caring very well about services checkup and cleanliness. The pilots trying as much as possible to keep the flight comfortable. Its a good airline, but needs to care more about their customers.

Saudi Arabian Airlines fares at least 20% cheaper than other airlines. Seat is the best economy class seat compared against other airlines in my opinion. Large toilets – the average toilet on their Boeing 777-300ERs is larger than that of other carriers. Food as expected with all of the Middle-Eastern carriers, food on Saudi was good. Responsible staff. Flights left and arrived bang on time. Riyadh isn’t what you’d call a world-class airport, with very limited dining, entertainment and rest options. Onboard staff were cold though not rude. Dress code, neither men nor women can travel in shorts and women have to wear something that covers their upper bodies upto the neck. No alcohol – not exactly a loathe for me but I can imagine a lot of international travellers who’d be quite annoyed. You cannot carry any spirits as a part of your checked-in baggage either. I was on calls with their US office quite often towards the end of my trip and mostly dealt with inept staff who required incredible amounts of cajoling to understand what I was trying to say.

Saudi Arabian Airlines provide a really generous checked baggage (2x23 kg + 7 hand baggage). First leg Delhi to Jeddah was on a Boeing 747 leg Jeddah to Rome on a newer Airbus 320. Lounge with WiFi and breakfast served for the 10 hour transit in Jeddah Airport. The inflight catering and ground service could be better on the Delhi to Jeddah flight, the entertainment was poor, but cannot complain for the momey I spent on a cheap ticket. Passengers don't respect procedures (going to toilet during take off/landing or on taxi way) but that is not crew fault.

Flew LHR to LHE via JED. The flight from LHR to JED was fairly good quality which was an A330-300. Seats were good and quite clean. Stopover was for half a day. I would now choose not to fly to JED only if leaving there. Staff don't try to speak even basic English despite it being an important international airport and no communication facilities (telephone) if there are delays. Flight from JED to LHE was unbelievable. They gave us a very old plane (Boeing 747) and most hostesses don't seem too friendly compared to the other flights. TV's will never work on these flights and quality of plane compared to one going to the west doesn't seem right - the quality should be the same. Better to fly to Riyadh for a stop over as some attempt to speak English. Always try to ensure the stopover is kept short.

My flight was cancelled on the departure day when everyone was waiting for boarding. We were asked to wait for hours in the airport and the staff were not helpful at all, leaving all the passengers in panic. We were promised to have our flight on the next day at 10am and had us waiting at the airport from 5am in the morning. Bad service and also provide flight that would not work for connecting flight. Waited for almost 2 days to have flight. Asked for refund but never received a reply from them.

Outbound from Heathrow was good. Food was served with a menu card, nice silver cutlery and service was professional despite having many trainees onboard. B777 aircraft - seat was brand new and very comfortable legroom. 3 entrée choices on the menu usually only two for other airlines. Toilet clean, aircraft clean. After the 4.5 hours transit transfering to a different B777 and everything changed. More experienced staff but toilet dirty even before boarding. Crew were rude denying me to use the toilet despite the flight being grounded for 1.5hours delay without any explanation. Food not served with any menu card like previous leg, had to ask staff to show before serving and it was cold. Plane was dirty could see clumps of dirt and dust on the floor. Seat not that comfortable but legroom was still bearable. Overall mixed experience, will take it because of the 46kg luggage allowance something not seen even in business class for most airlines.