Article: Saudia’s Cheap Business Fares Between Asia & Europe

[clifford]

As I've mentioned elsewhere, there are some great fares available ex Asia to Europe without touching Saudi or their airline.

For example, there are a number of one way business class fares available on Turkish Airlines (TK) ex Jakarta for under $AUD 1,500. I've just purchased CGK-LHR for approx $1,335 in Oct, on a 1-2-1 layout 789 to IST. Then a decent 2-2 recliner layout to LHR, with good service all the way, not to mention their great lounge in IST.

So why bother with SV?

Post automatically merged: Aug 11, 2022

Some things to be aware of also (and this isn't unique to KSA as I've had the same in Lebanon) but when clearing security there you will be split into male/female lines/screeners etc.

No different from CGK then.

 

[Flashback]

As I've mentioned elsewhere, there are some great fares available ex Asia to Europe without touching Saudi or their airline.

For example, there are a number of one way business class fares available on Turkish Airlines (TK) ex Jakarta for under $AUD 1,500. I've just purchased CGK-LHR for approx $1,335 in Oct, on a 1-2-1 layout 789 to IST. Then a decent 2-2 recliner layout to LHR, with good service all the way, not to mention their great lounge in IST.

So why bother with SV?

Post automatically merged: Aug 11, 2022

No different from CGK then.

I got $2150 return or thereabouts KUL-CDG on WY.

 

[Cossie]

I got $2150 return or thereabouts KUL-CDG on WY.

That is a great price, I paid a bit under $4000 Aus for Bangkok, Muscat, Frankfurt, Berlin, with Berlin, Munich, Muscat, Bangkok return and was very happy with that.
I definitely have no complaints about Oman Air at all, I would happily use them again and also I would be interested in a stopover in Muscat.

 

[Gavros333]

Just flew Saudia Athens to Bangkok via Jeddah in J (then onwards to Australia after a night in Bangkok). Never again!!! Even though I payed $750 AUD for a lie flat seat all the way from Greece to Thailand (A320 and 787), that was the only positive aspect. Rude staff both onboard and on the ground in Jeddah (with the exception of a couple of FA's). Upon landing in Jeddah, received a text from Saudia stating flight had changed from a direct flight to Bangkok to going via Riyadh. Staff couldn't explain this change and said the flight would still arrive in Bangkok at the scheduled time (it didn't, it was almost 5 hours late arriving). Payed 6 hours in the airport transit hotel in Jeddah too. What a shambles, wasn't given a key, the porter must unlock the door with the master key, so if you need to leave the room at anytime, you need to get the porter to let you back in.
Oh and forgot to mention, the food was terrible, some of it inedible. That's when the cabin crew actually came over to my seat to offer anything at all. On the other hand, they made sure the local passengers were well looked after.

 

[Flashback]

Just flew Saudia Athens to Bangkok via Jeddah in J (then onwards to Australia after a night in Bangkok). Never again!!! Even though I payed $750 AUD for a lie flat seat all the way from Greece to Thailand (A320 and 787), that was the only positive aspect. Rude staff both onboard and on the ground in Jeddah (with the exception of a couple of FA's). Upon landing in Jeddah, received a text from Saudia stating flight had changed from a direct flight to Bangkok to going via Riyadh. Staff couldn't explain this change and said the flight would still arrive in Bangkok at the scheduled time (it didn't, it was almost 5 hours late arriving). Payed 6 hours in the airport transit hotel in Jeddah too. What a shambles, wasn't given a key, the porter must unlock the door with the master key, so if you need to leave the room at anytime, you need to get the porter to let you back in.
Oh and forgot to mention, the food was terrible, some of it inedible. That's when the cabin crew actually came over to my seat to offer anything at all. On the other hand, they made sure the local passengers were well looked after.

This all sounds very familiar.

 

[ianfly30]

Saudia’s Cheap Business Fares Between Asia & Europe is an article written by AFF editorial staff:

Saudia's Cheap Business Class Fares Between Asia & Europe

When planning a trip to Europe, Saudia is probably not the first airline that comes to mind. But this SkyTeam carrier offers lie-flat Business Class seats

www.australianfrequentflyer.com.au

You can leave a comment or discuss this topic below.

I STRONGLY urge caution using Saudia. The Australian contact on their website no longer represents them. My flight ex Singapore was rescheduled with an 11:20 transit connection. Called the very unhelpful call centre...and even visited the Singapore ticket office looking for better options. I asked about the transit hotel....Response was essentially a polite shoulder shrug....and told to sort it ou myself when I got to Jeddah.
It's cheap..and onboard product is ok ...but if anything changes you are totally on your own ...and at tevmercy of a clunky app and unsupportive staff.

 

[ianfly30]

I just completed the trip. The outbound flight from Singapore had only 25 passengers onboard, and Saudia had cancelled the flight 2 days earlier I was fortunate to find a slumber space free in the Jeddah lounge because ...despite the very light load, the meal service dragged on for 2 hours and everyone was woken again over 2 hours before arrival in JED.

Service on the flights both ways between JED and AMS was efficient but unfriendly. The southbound transit security clearance was chaotic, and the lounge was out of many food options when I stopped in.

I am now back in Singapore minus my bag. Already told not to expect it for two days as there is no Saudia flight tomorrow and they won't RUSH it via KL or Bangkok. I was not the only AMS origin passenger missing some or all bags despite a 2 hour transit.

It was cheap...but on reflection .....given reschedules, variable inflight service, the mess at Jeddah security, and the indifferent approach to customer service....I don't think Saudia is a viable option. I have booked the trip later in the year on Singapore and Swiss .

 

[randompunter]

The irony is I would be somewhat willing to put up with the average service and transit experience for a cheap flatbed - IF I could also enjoy a few beverages to relax me

 

[Flashback]

The irony is I would be somewhat willing to put up with the average service and transit experience for a cheap flatbed - IF I could also enjoy a few beverages to relax me

Well, you can, but it would need to be camomile tea!