A first-hand look at Saudia's 787 business class from Amsterdam to Jeddah, covering the seat, cabin, food, entertainment, and service.
Off topic but bad news for travelers in that area:
“Volcano eruption in Indonesia leaves 170,000 travellers stranded as seven airports remain closed”
“In that area” means the the region of Indonesia, you idiot. The “off topic” part should have clued you in that it wasn’t about Saudi Arabia.
@ Aaron -- Appreciate the heads up about that. And while I understand people were responding in a way that can come across as snippy, please don't call others idiots. We're trying to keep a friendly vibe around here, and I think we can all agree that calling others names doesn't contribute to that. 🙂
The first map shows them flying over a Greek Trench . The second and third maps show them avoiding the Greek Trench . Were the maps accurate ?
@ Alert -- The first map just shows a line with the direct air distance between the origin and destination, which is why it differs from the actual route flown.
When did they start offering pyjamas? I flew them a couple times in January and they were not offered.
@ brianyyz -- I think they've offered them for quite some time, but there's inconsistency between routes. What route were you flying?
“so this isn’t at all a political statement about Saudi Arabia, but instead, just a reflection of my flight experience.”
The only country that gets such a disclaimer every time, it’s pathetic honestly.
@ Sisyphus -- Sorry, which part do you find pathetic? I wrote that for a simple reason -- when I cover Saudi Arabia, people have a lot to say. So I'd rather get out ahead of that and point people to what I've written in the past, rather than having the comments devolve into something about the country rather than the flight. Isn't that fair enough?
You don’t say the same about any other place and you’ve flown other airlines from even more controversial countries.
You also know for a fact that it doesn’t do anything to prevent comments “devolving into something about the country rather than the flight”.
You did say at some point that hateful comments would be moderated and that never happened. I get it, not great for traffic but at least be courageous enough not have this double standard.
It’s just bigotry disguised as “I’d rather get out ahead”.
@ Sisyphus -- "You did say at some point that hateful comments would be moderated and that never happened."
That's simply not true. We've greatly stepped up moderation, there are currently *zero* comments that have been reported by readers that haven't been dealt with. And we will continue to take that seriously.
So to be clear, you're suggesting that I'm the bigot? I've actually had very nice things to say about my interactions with Saudis, and about the quality of airlines in the country.
It seems like you're in some state of denial here about how many people perceive Saudi Arabia. The truth is that a lot of people in the United States *do* have very strong opinions on Saudi Arabia. Do you think that's not the case? Because I'd invite you to check the comments that people leave about the country. Again, those don't entirely reflect my feelings (I've written often about the nuance of laws and cultural norms), but they do reflect the feelings of many others.
I flew the same route back in may and can confirm that service was good, although I was not offered any pyjamas. Also surprised seeing you getting service on a tray, since I got table service on my flights with them.
That's good to hear. I was wondering if perhaps someone at Saudia saw that Ben, a presumably fairly well known review blogger, was flying, so they put their best flight attendants on his flight?
I’m not in denial about anything. But tell me, why does it matter that “a lot of people on the United States” feel a certain way? And why does that have to be catered to with that-once again- pathetic disclaimer when writing anything Saudi-related?
Do you know that people around the world have even stronger feelings about the US right now? Or does that not count when traveling in Trump’s America?
What about Erdogan’s Turkey? Or that one other place committing genocide as we speak but you dare not say the word? Nothing about flying Lufthansa while Germany supports them (and currently tries to defend itself at the ICJ)?
You report on a single airstrike hitting their airport built on stolen land but when they decimate Yemenia’s whole civilian aircraft (a literal war crime among many) you’re nowhere to be found.
Yes this isn’t a political blog, but a whole airline being blown out of existence isn’t worthy of a minute of your time?
You feel the need to make sure people never even suspect for a second you might like Saudi Arabia because, gasp, “American feelings”. But everybody else gets a pass regardless of what your audience “feels”.
Either treat Saudia/Riyadh air the same way you treat other airlines or just write on them while feeling the need to add these ridiculous microggressive lines.
You may never admit it but now is a good time to revisit your biases.
Good day.
@ Sisyphus -- "Do you know that people around the world have even stronger feelings about the US right now? Or does that not count when traveling in Trump’s America?"
No, those people count too, and I think I've written a lot about my take on Trump, to the point that it sometimes gets me in trouble.
"What about Erdogan’s Turkey?"
I'vs also added disclaimers there. For example, see my Turkish A350 business class review:
https://onemileatatime.com/insights/turkish-airlines-a350-business-class/
"Or that one other place committing genocide as we speak but you dare not say the word?"
When posting about things related to Israel, I also ask people to write with respect, and focus on the topic at hand, rather than their takes on the government.
"Either treat Saudia/Riyadh air the same way you treat other airlines or just write on them while feeling the need to add these ridiculous microggressive lines."
And I do. I've written entire posts dedicated to flying with other Gulf carriers, the ethics of it, and why I don't take issue with doing so:
https://onemileatatime.com/insights/ethics-airlines-middle-east/
You’re not getting it, this has nothing to do with comments on your posts and everything to do with your own comments in your reviews.
Yeah you once said something about Turkey, good job.
I’d accept it if you write something along the lines of “ I don’t support that Qatari government” every single time QR comes up, but you don’t.
It seems like you’ll never admit having different standards for different countries, Saudi Arabia being the one specific one you feel the need to distance yourself from the most.
You’re biases are showing and you don’t want to admit it.
@ Sisyphus -- I didn't say I do or don't support any government. You're putting those words in my mouth. And I've many times addressed the ethics of flying with Qatar Airways, and things along those lines.
Anyway, I respect your take, and I'll keep your feedback in mind going forward. You're welcome to have the last word, but I think we're about maxed out on a constructive dialogue here. For what it's worth, I've had lovely conversations with many Saudis, and I was impressed by the warm hospitality of so many locals. That's something I'll also be addressing in subsequent posts about my experience in the country.
Wow, "Assiette of Foraged Mushrooms", it's not every day you see that on a Business Class menu. Creative. On a related note, what I remember most about my travel on Saudia a decade ago was its incredible lounge in Riyadh, some of the best food I've ever had in a business lounge.
It must have been very difficult for you having a business class seat without doors to close. I hope you survived and why is you make a big deal if the seat doesn't have door to close, people can still look over the door and see what you are doing
Ben - maybe you should try Delta's new ATL-JED flight. I hear that bookings are atrocious, and they are dumping pricing.
Can't imagine how these Delta Ladies are gonna survive a Jeddah layover!
Is it Atlanta - Jeddah or Atlanta - Riyadh? Delta is launching flights to Riyadh not Jeddah
That bread service is perfection. A mini basket of different breads... brilliant.
Both butter AND olive oil... now that's just the way the gods intended it. Why choose just one?!!
This review and the one on the connecting JED-RUH leg confirms my own positive experience flying Saudia.
Extremely impressive, check-in drama aside. Well done, Lucky.
Did your Saudia flight include a pre departure video with Trump, Jr. and Jared Kushner that proudly announced the billions of dollars in business the Kingdom was doing with the Trump family? I found the video to be shocking and disturbing. Isn't there a prohibition on the president and family doing business with foreign governments?