Okay, so let me start by saying that I think you guys did a great job of managing my expectations of Jeddah Airport. Before I took this trip, a countless number of people warned me not to fly through Jeddah until the new airport is opened. So I had very low expectations going in... Our…
Continue reading: Review: Saudia Lounge Jeddah Airport
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That lounge actually looks pretty nice, especially in comparison to domestic lounges in the US. Color me surprised.
I'm amazed at the number of tissue boxes in the lounge. What on earth are they doing there?
Hrmmph...
I never had it so "lucky" at JED. Yeah, Ben somehow had it easy.
It's a shame that there was no practical way for Ben & Matthew to have spent their layover in Jeddah; it's a really interesting city with some great food. I miss walking along the corniche on a warm autumn night.
"At 3:45AM it was posted that our flight would be departing from gate seven. So we headed there, and immediately had our boarding passes scanned."
I think you mean 2:45 AM....
Much, much worse to arrive there and go through immigration (esp. relative to Riyadh). Just a total mess.
Lounge seems to be much nicer than the partner one I took when I left ex-BA/QR.
Was someone murdered in front of that toilet? Is that blood on the ground? Gross!
You travel all the way to Saudi Arabia, have the chance to eat some 'fantastic looking' local food in the lounge yet you chose biscuits. Are you that scared of a bit of culture in your life?
That lounge looked better than I expected tbh. Though the shower really does kill it - is that blood in the corner?
Last time I connected through there I had a similar experience. The terminal was pretty nice, but the toilets were kinda nasty and stank like urine, the staff were absolutely clueless - they took our passports and while returning them ushered us to the wrong flight, none of them spoke English and couldn't be any lazier. The Asian laborers going back home on economy made a mad dash to the buses as if the plane was going to leave without them, no concept of a line. The low fare for the ticket made up for the negatives though.
Regular Budweiser is bad enough. I can't begin to imagine how bad non-alcoholic Bud must taste like. :(+
Jehhah is constructing a new mega size terminal to replace the current old building
One thing to remember: Jeddah Airport currently has TWO terminals (three if you count the Hajj terminal). The one Lucky transferred at was the South Terminal, which is sometimes called the Domestic Terminal by locals. Though domestic in this case means it houses the domestic airlines, as it offers both domestic and international flights from the terminal. However, a few non-Saudi airlines have started operating from the South Terminal over the last few years as well, all of them Skyteam airlines (Korea, Kenya, and Garuda).
The other main terminal is the North Terminal, which is where all the other airlines fly from, including the rest of the Skyteam airlines operating out of Jeddah (currently, just MEA). That's why it's also sometimes called the International Terminal as well, as all the airlines operating there are foreign/international airlines.
For what it's worth, the North terminal is marginally better than the South terminal, but not by much. All the gates there are remote stands as well, though loading onto the buses tends to be more orderly (people actually stand in line!). The dining situation is better too, as you actually have the choice between 8 or 9 places to eat at now. And the Saudia lounge there (which is the only lounge in the North Terminal) is also somewhat nicer. While the food options are the same, it feels more spacious and private since it's 2 floors, there are more partitions between various seating areas (especially upstairs), and the dining section with tables is in it's own room.
The new terminal being built will combine all airlines in the new terminal, though I'm not sure if the Hajj terminal will be added as well. But still, this should be a nice improvement to what exists on the ground at Jeddah currently.
you do realize the hose in the toilet booth to wash 'back there' is more hygienic then wiping 'back there' with just a tissue?
the state of the hose itself is another story though.
@Credit That was a really interesting clip – thanks for sharing. (Did that dissuasion take place in Saudi Arabia? Pretty eye-opening if it did.)
The Saudia terminal of the airport isn't great. But it's 100x better than the foreign airlines terminal. Which is a piece of garbage. The lounge is slightly bigger but the pros end there.
"Unfortunately the toilets were gross. I knew bidets/hosing down “back there” is popular in the region, but to me it’s just so disgusting in a public toilet".
If you are referring to the practice of washing, those who practice the same find using toilet paper disgusting, and as H.T. points out in the post above, it is arguably more hygienic. In fact, I think they should be applauded for catering to international travellers and including toilet paper as locals and visitors from many Asian countries wouldn't miss it if it weren't there! I lived in Abu Dhabi for seventeen years, that's where I grew up. They usually have janitor services clean up/mop more frequently, and this perhaps may not have been the case in your experience, hence the "smell" as you describe.
Ah the old butt spray!
Not too sure how the public ones can be more hygienic when its covered in water that's already been up someone else's you know what......
The clean ones in your own house are pretty good for water fights mind. Especially if you have two bathrooms within reach of one another!
Remote stands are nothing compared to some african airports. Khartoum airport in Sudan required the passengers to get their bags out of the hold by themselves. Although, that may have changed over time.
Thank you for this article. I will be flying through Jeddah for the first time in June. I am flying Business Class, so it looks like it is easier to get through.
Is it possible to buy an only pass for this lounge online? I´m not able to find where to buy it... 🙁
Hi Ben,.
Thank you for this post especially when you post so many photos of Jeddah Airport. May i know when will the NEW JEDDAH INTL AIRPORT TERMINAL open? Because next year @ March 2018, i am flying through Jeddah and enroute to Cairo boarding Saudia Airlines.
Thank you
Hi . Just wanted to be clear is this facilities provided to economy flyers as well?
what is it with Americans and "packaged" food? I regulary see that in TPE when they ask for packaged sugar when the coffee lady there clearly has only the dispenser and its only americans asking for it. It's pretty good looking curry and the guy its fecking crackers.. unbelievable
Warning! Do not transit through JED Airport, especially if you're flying on two separate, non Saudi owned airlines. You'll either need to waste hours going through immigration, get a visa, buy insurance, then go back airside just to transit.
It'll cost you around $140. But DO NOT try to do it online before hand. They took my money for the e-visa application, but they never actually submitted it electronically for approval.
It was such a pain in the ass, I'd rather forfeit my flight than to fly through JED.