We arrived in Riyadh at around 7PM, while our flight to Los Angeles was around 1:30AM, meaning we had about a six hour layover. In June I reviewed Saudia’s first class lounge at Riyadh Airport, so I won’t be reviewing that again. Instead I’ll be reviewing the transit experience and Saudia’s business class lounge, which I briefly checked out.
After taking the bus from the plane to the terminal we found ourselves in the arrivals hall. A vast majority of passengers followed the signage towards the immigration hall, while a few passengers (including us) followed the signage for international connections.
Riyadh Airport terminal
That took us down a hallway where there was one staff member who confirmed our boarding passes and then told us to have a seat for a moment, while he called a security officer to screen our bags. Someone showed up within five minutes, at which point a handful of other passengers from our flight got in line.
Riyadh Airport international transit
The security screening was lax, in the sense that there was a single officer supervising both the metal detector and x-ray machine, and he didn’t seem to be particularly focused on either. Once through there we proceeded up the escalator into the terminal.
Riyadh Airport international transit
International connecting passengers are let out by gate 21, though it really seems to be a makeshift setup. We had to open a door to get into the terminal, and then walk through a series of queuing “barriers” to get into the terminal.
Riyadh Airport international transit
Riyadh Airport international transit
Riyadh Airport is reasonably nice, at least much nicer than the current Jeddah Airport (though the new terminal in Jeddah should be opening shortly, and will be very nice).
Riyadh Airport terminal
We took the escalator up to the Alfursan Lounge, which is the Saudia lounge used by all SkyTeam airlines. While we spent most of our time in the first class lounge, I’ll share my thoughts on the business class lounge this time around.
Inside the entrance is the reception desk, and the first class lounge is to the left, while the business class lounge is to the right.
Saudia Lounge Riyadh Airport entryway
Right inside the entrance to the business class lounge was a dining area, consisting of high-top seating, as well as booths.
Saudia Business Lounge Riyadh Airport dining area
Saudia Business Lounge Riyadh Airport dining area
The dining area was huge, and was on both sides of the buffet (I’ll have more about the food later).
Saudia Business Lounge Riyadh Airport dining area
Saudia Business Lounge Riyadh Airport dining area
Saudia Business Lounge Riyadh Airport dining area
Past that was a business center with five iMacs, as well as a conference room.
Saudia Business Lounge Riyadh Airport business center
Past that was the main room of the lounge, which had all kinds of elegant seating.
Saudia Business Lounge Riyadh Airport seating
Saudia Business Lounge Riyadh Airport seating
What a surprisingly stylish lounge — it even had Eames chairs.
Saudia Business Lounge Riyadh Airport seating
Saudia Business Lounge Riyadh Airport seating
Saudia Business Lounge Riyadh Airport seating
Much like the first class lounge there were several semi-private rooms with daybeds, most of which were occupied (even though the lounge was otherwise quite empty).
Saudia Business Lounge Riyadh Airport rest area
There was also a play area for kids.
Saudia Business Lounge Riyadh Airport kids area
The bathrooms in the business class lounge were reasonably nice, though there are no showers in the business class lounge. Instead there’s a single shower in the first class lounge, so that’s one of the only advantages of the first class section.
Saudia Business Lounge Riyadh Airport bathrooms
Saudia Business Lounge Riyadh Airport bathrooms
In terms of food and drinks, there were a couple of areas with food and drinks. Near most of the seating was a drink station, with juice, coffee, tea, and dates.
Saudia Business Lounge Riyadh Airport snack bar
There was a similar drink station closer to the entrance and across from the buffet, except it had packaged snacks, as well as more soft drinks and non-alcoholic beer.
Saudia Business Lounge Riyadh Airport coffee & tea
Saudia Business Lounge Riyadh Airport tea & Arabic coffee
Saudia Business Lounge Riyadh Airport drink selection
Saudia Business Lounge Riyadh Airport dates & packaged snacks
Then the buffet was back near the entrance. The last time I visited the first class lounge there was no food outside, but I suspect that’s because I was there over Ramadan. This time around, both the first and business class lounge had an almost identical food selection.
Saudia Business Lounge Riyadh Airport buffet
There were small plates with fresh sliced fruit and cheese.
Saudia Business Lounge Riyadh Airport buffet
There was a tasty looking selection of desserts.
Saudia Business Lounge Riyadh Airport buffet
Saudia Business Lounge Riyadh Airport buffet
There was salad, hummus, finger sandwiches, etc.
Saudia Business Lounge Riyadh Airport buffet
Saudia Business Lounge Riyadh Airport buffet
Then there were six hot dishes, ranging from chicken to fresh veggies to rice to mozzarella sticks.
Saudia Business Lounge Riyadh Airport buffet
Saudia Business Lounge Riyadh Airport buffet
Saudia Business Lounge Riyadh Airport buffet
Saudia Business Lounge Riyadh Airport buffet
Saudia Business Lounge Riyadh Airport buffet
There was also a spicy lentil soup.
Saudia Business Lounge Riyadh Airport buffet
Lastly, there was a large selection of soft drinks and water.
Saudia Business Lounge Riyadh Airport drink selection
Saudia Business Lounge Riyadh Airport drink selection
Overall I was impressed by the business class lounge, and thought it was comparable in quality to the first class lounge. The only real difference is that the first class lounge doesn’t get as crowded and has a shower.
Our flight to Los Angeles (via Jeddah) was scheduled to board at 12:55AM, so we headed to our departure gate, #23, at around 12:30AM.
Riyadh Airport terminal
Due to US security policies, there was a special security screening for the flight, as we were expecting. To our surprise there was no one in line, but as we walked up we were informed that they were only screening for the Toronto flight right now (I guess they also get extra screening?), and were told to step aside.
Riyadh Airport departure gate
So we stood to the side, and quickly realized the problem. Clearly the airport wasn’t designed to have “sterile” gates (where passengers could be screened at individual gates), so the setup was basically such that they’d only start screening once boarding began, so that passengers could immediately board.
At around 1:10AM the crew showed up, and around the same time the ground workers were running with blankets and pillows down the jet bridge.
Riyadh Airport departure gate
Finally at 1:30AM electronics screening began. This was a super casual process, which I outlined in a previous post.
Riyadh Airport departure gate security
Riyadh Airport departure gate security
We managed to be the first onboard, and by 1:35AM we were greeted by the crew that would be taking us to Jeddah.
Saudia Business Lounge Riyadh Airport bottom line
The transit experience in Riyadh was painless, both in terms of the actual transit process, and also in terms of the additional screening for US-bound flights.
Saudia’s lounges in Riyadh are by no means the best airport lounges, but they are perfectly comfortable, and there’s almost no difference between the first and business class lounge. Transiting Riyadh Airport is definitely more pleasant than transiting Jeddah Airport, at least until the new terminal opens.
Membership is free and takes no more information than commenting as a guest. Earn status points for good contributions, and see fewer ads as your status grows.