Back in early May my friend Matthew and I booked a ~$620 roundtrip business class fare Qatar Airways published between Colombo and Casablanca, which allowed booking a combination of Qatar Airways and Royal Air Maroc. While Qatar Airways unarguably has a better product, reviewing Royal Air Maroc was a lot more tempting. Then to position…
Continue reading: Booked: I’m Flying Business Class On Saudia, Pakistan, and JetBlue!
Share your questions, experiences, and thoughts below.
I fell sorry that you'll have to endure the torture that is Jeddah airport, would've preferred if you went through Riyadh, Dammam or Medina instead.
Anyway, I'm excited to see how this turns out.
Good luck!
New Jeddah's airport is under construction. Current airport is pain in the ***. Wish you a plesent trip.
Good luck
hi Ben, check this out, cmb to man, the same flights you booked using delta skymiles is 42,500 but its only available on oct 3rd, and if you add a delta connection to JFK it's only 70,000 skymiles. Only thing is you'll have to wait 4 hours in Manchester as the earlier delta flight is pricing it out at a whopping 417,000 miles!!! email me and I'll send you some pics. Thanks for all the travel advice!
How wonderful that you are supporting the airlines of two extraordinarily oppressive (to women, non-Muslims, homosexuals, etc.) countries who also have incredible ties to terrorism!
That's like all the freaking Americans. Incredible hypocrites. Just because you have a lot of oil now you grow a spine. Wait when you run out of oil, you will once again kiss the Saudi buttocks.
I am cringing at the idea of Ben & Company having to transit through JED. That in itself could be the great adventure (or nightmare) of this trip.
As someone who flew countess times to Jeddah on business (Emirates), really looking forward to Ben's review of this airport. Safe travels Ben, and great blog!
With Saudia you at least won't have to suffer any sub-par wines, or any wine for that matter.
I can understand wanting to review these airlines for the purposes of your job (this blog), but flying on those airlines don't sound like they would be a lot of fun.
Enjoy!
PIA-"the only Business Class service that feels like First Class". Looking at the photos, I'd agree, maybe 20 years ago
What happened to that PIA "business that feels like first class" seat photo. It looks like the seat got stuck going half way into its lie flat position 🙂
@Susan I flew Saudia a few years ago from London to Kuala Lumpur via Riyadh in Economy (due to lowest ticket price) and I have to tell you that it was one of the best experiences I've ever had in long haul Economy. Riyadh Airport was perfectly fine for a 3 hour transit. Sure it's a dry airline but I survived without having an alcoholic drink for a day!
Recently came back from a round trip on Saudia. Bahrain to Jeddah and back again. Must say the business class I was in (short hall) was not impressive but then again didn't expect it to be. The airport though is a different story. Like you stepped back in time and immigration is terrible! The only saving grace was the lounge which may not impress you but at least it's better than other options in the airport. The good thing is the Saudi terminal is better than the others.
Saudi though is a great airline and I wish them the best of luck in their transformation. The new airport should be a much needed upgrade. Good luck and just remember always keep you cool in Saudi. If things get tough look for the line managers who are usually better dealing with then line staff.
Can't wait for the JetBlue Mint review! I recently became TrueBlue Mosaic member thru a statusmatched, so I am curious what you think of JetBlue's Mint cabin!
I'm actually sad that airlines from countries that hang gays just for being gay would get your money/miles.
Let me know your PK flight and date I know the chief pilot for 777 and can let him know you will on the MAN-JFK routing.