Saudi Arabian Airlines: Saudia Airlines

Saudi Airlines Flight Booking

Saudi Arabian Airlines is now called Saudia Airlines and is the flag carrier of Saudi Arabia. The airline was founded in 1945 and has emerged as a global airline over the past 78 years. It started with flights between Jeddah, Riyadh and Dammam and now it has become one of the third largest airlines in the Middle East. Its main operational airport is at King Abdulaziz International Airport, Jeddah. The secondary hubs are King Khalid International Airport, Riyadh and King Fahd International Airport, Dammam. It operates domestic and international flights to more than 100 destinations in the Middle East, Europe, Asia, Africa and North America.

The airline became a SkyTeam Alliance member in 2012 and it was the first Persian airline to join the alliance. The airline is a member of the Arab Air Carriers Organisation. The airline offers a Frequent Flyer programme called ‘Alfrusan’ which offers many benefits to the passengers.

Saudi Airlines Connectivity and Fleet information

Saudia Airlines started with a single twin-engine DC-3 (Dakota) and gradually developed into Saudia airlines. The airline began by carrying Hajj pilgrims to Jeddah. Its fleet now consists of 151 aircraft: 40 Airbus A320-214, 15 Airbus A321, 25 Airbus A330-343, 17 Boeing B777- 268L, 31 Boeing B777-368ER and 5 Boeing B787-9 (Dreamliner). The airline aims to modernise its fleet by purchasing state-of-the-art aircraft. 

Saudi Airlines Awards

Saudi Arabian Airlines has been recognised for its services and has gained several awards. The latest awards are as follows:

• Saudia crowned the World Class Airline 2022 - At the APEX official Airline Rating
• Saudia tops the YouGov Nationwide Brand Recognition 2022
• Top Sustainability award for Customer Engagement 2022
• Canadian publication Pax Magazine’s award for the Best Children's Amenities 2022
• CEO of Saudia honoured with Aviation Executive of the Year 2021
• Saudia Lounge gets the world’s first Health and Safety rating
• Saudi tops YouGov Nationwide Brand Recognition 2021
• Saudia receives the World Airline Winner SkyTrax Awards 2021
• Saudia wins the Five-Star Global Airline 2021 - By APEX

Saudi Airlines Class of travel

Saudia Airlines offers three different classes of travel on all its flights. The services offered depend on the type of Saudi Airlines booking chosen. The different classes of travel offered are as follows:

Saudia First Suite

This class offers luxury and comfort throughout the trip. It offers a fully enclosed private suite with an 82” long seat and a spacious table. Passengers can enjoy non-stop HD entertainment on 23” HD screens. The cabin crew will make the bed complete with a mattress and a pillow when required. Night dressing is also provided.

Business Class

This class offers wide seats with an ample pitch and generous recline which give ample legroom. The seats are ergonomically designed and provide stable lumbar support which is essential on long-haul flights. The seat can be adjusted electrically and converted into flatbeds. A 17” wide HD screen provides non-stop entertainment.

Guest Class

This class offers comfortable and spacious seats with a 34” pitch and adjustable headrests with padded wings. Also, there are manually operated footrests and lumbar support recline. Non-stop entertainment is offered through 9” screens. It provides up to 24 to 40 stations of video-on-demand, 12 audio stations and video games.  

Saudi Airlines Baggage Allowance

The baggage allowance for domestic and international flights varies depending on the type of Saudi Airlines booking chosen. The passengers are allowed checked-in baggage and cabin luggage of different weights depending on the fare type. Infants are allowed one piece not exceeding 23 kgs in Economy class and one piece not exceeding 32 kgs in Business and First class. If the passenger needs to carry more than the allowed baggage then extra baggage can be purchased. If the baggage exceeds the required dimensions then the baggage will be shipped through cargo. Passengers carrying sports equipment may have to pay excess baggage charges.

For Domestic Flights

For Economy Basic, the checked-in baggage allowance is one piece of 23 kgs and Flex is two pieces of 23 kgs each. For Business Basic the checked-in baggage allowance is one piece of 32 kg and Flex is two pieces of 32 kg each. For First Flex the checked-in baggage allowance is two pieces of 32 kg each.  

For International Flights

For Economy Basic the checked-in baggage allowance is one piece of 23 kg, Semi-Flex and Flex it is two pieces of 23 kg each. For all fare types in Business class, the checked-in baggage allowance is two pieces of 32 kg each. For all fare types in First class, the checked-in baggage allowance is two pieces of 32 kg each.

Additional Free Baggage

Members of Alfrusan are allowed additional free baggage on domestic and international flights. Alfursan Gold, Silver, Elite and Elite Plus members can carry additional baggage of 23 kg at no extra cost on domestic flights. Alfursan Gold, Silver, Elite and Elite Plus members can carry additional free baggage of 32 kg at no extra cost on international flights.

Cabin Baggage

Each passenger can carry cabin baggage/ carry-on baggage which has to be placed in the overhead rack or under the seat of the passenger in front. For Economy class, the baggage allowance is 7 kg. For First class and Business class, it is 9 kg - 12 kg. Passengers can also carry with them free carry-on items.

Extra Baggage

If passengers have more than the allowed baggage limit then they can purchase extra baggage at the airport or pre-purchase it through the website. If the baggage exceeds the required dimensions and/or weight then the passengers will be charged for it. Infants are not allowed excess baggage on both domestic and international flights.

You can easily check the baggage policy here.

Saudi Airlines Web Check-in and Boarding Pass

Saudi Arabia Airlines allows web check-in on all domestic and select international flights. Passengers need a valid and confirmed e-ticket to be able to web check-in. Web check-in is allowed 48 hours prior to the flight departure. Passengers who web check-in have to arrive at the boarding gate 1 hour before flight departure. This option is not available for passengers who request special services like wheelchairs, extra seats, visual and hearing impairment, unaccompanied minors, accompanied pets and passengers who need a stretcher. Passengers can get their boarding passes via email or at the check-in counter. Passengers can also print their boarding passes.   

Saudi Airlines In-flight Services

Saudi Arabian Airlines offers quality in-flight services be it food or entertainment or shopping. Passengers can entertain themselves by watching videos or listening to audio or playing video games. Passengers are served meals from international cuisines, beverages, teas, coffees and more. Passengers can also shop on the flights and get exclusive products at reasonable prices which may not be available in domestic markets.

The Food

The airline offers a dish from the destination, Arabic, Western or vegetarian dishes to Guest Class passengers. The First Suite passengers are offered world-class a la carte meals with traditional flavours prepared by chefs and a 4-course menu. Business class passengers are offered meals from international cuisines (Arabic, Mediterranean, Healthy choice), a choice of dessert and a selection of teas and coffees. Special meals are also available which can be pre-booked.

Shopping

Saudia Airlines has launched ‘Air Sales’ services on its flights that offer quality goods at competitive prices. Passengers can buy all kinds of perfumes, accessories, jewellery, gifts, toys and souvenirs. All the goods carry the company’s logo. The goods are sold at a discounted price on flights than the prices in the retail market. The range of goods is updated regularly and the assortment of goods is changed every four months.

Entertainment

The airline provides an in-flight entertainment system that offers video-on-demand, audio channels and video games. The screens are installed behind the seats of the planes and the passengers can operate them using a personal control device. Passengers can choose from 24 - 40 channels of videos, 12 audio stations, religious programs, children's programs, international movies and documentaries. The screens also allow you to see the views through the external cameras installed and also the flight navigation information.

Saudi Airlines Frequent Flyer Programme: Alfursan

Passengers can join the Alfursan loyalty program and earn miles while flying on Saudia Airlines. Passengers can redeem miles to get various benefits from Saudia Airlines and its SkyTeam partners. Passengers can get privileges like free baggage allowance, free flight tickets and upgrades, global lounge access, a priority waitlist and more. Up to nine family members can become members of the loyalty program. Passengers can also get benefits from SkyTeam partner airlines hotels, car rentals, banks and telecommunication and access to a global network of lounges across the world. The membership tiers offered are Blue, Elite Silver and Elite Plus Gold.

Saudi Airlines Onboard Support

Saudia airline assists passengers with special needs like unaccompanied children, passengers travelling with pets and passengers with mobility problems or medical conditions. Wheelchairs are provided when requested by the passengers. Special meals can be pre-ordered for passengers with dietary or health problems. Most of the Saudia aircraft also have a special prayer room.

About Saudi Airlines Refund & Cancellation

Passengers wishing to cancel their booking can do so through the Saudia Airlines website or the sales offices depending on how the booking is done. Tickets are eligible for a refund if paid through cash, check, SADAD, SPAN, Visa or MasterCard. Go to the airline’s website and select the ‘Manage My Booking’ tab and retrieve the booking and click on ‘Cancel and Refund’.

Please refer to the Saudia Airlines cancellation policy available here.

Cleartrip: Runway for Saudi Airlines Flights

Saudia Airlines is the largest airline in the Middle East and flies to many domestic and international destinations. You can easily book Saudia Airlines flight tickets online through Cleartrip. It provides a simple and easy-to-follow process for flight ticket booking. You can do one-way, round-trip or multi-city Saudi Airlines booking online quickly and in just a few clicks.

You can compare airfares across multiple dates and book the one you prefer. Once you register with Cleartrip you can get informed about price drops, offers and discounts on expensive tickets. You can find the cheapest flight by using the search option. You just have to enter the to and from destinations, travel date and the number of passengers. You will get a list of flights with the cheapest listed at the top. You can review and select the flights of your choice. 

The sales and the promotions offered by Saudi Arabia Airlines are made available on Cleartrip’s checkout page which makes them easy to access. Cleartrip offers customer service 24x7 and the executives are always ready to address the customer’s concerns and queries. Cleartrip also offers an app for searching for and booking flights easily.