Saudia airlines

[henleybeach]

Hey everyone ,
im flying to Europe later this year , on the way over with SIA J class using velocity points.
On the way back I found a good price saudia airlines j class airfare. IST-KUL $670 one way. The first leg is a a330 and then the 787-9. The Dreamliner business class looks very nice but couldn't find much on the a330. I've read the are a dry airline and no BYO but the few comments I have found , everyone says the food is great . Because it's the way home the no alcohol doesn't bother me , I would've drank enough during the holiday , the food and bed will be fine.
Are they ok to fly with ? And has anyone on here have any experience with them and flown them?
Im I silly for flying with them and just cancel it ?

 

[ChrisFlyer]

Following. Would be good to hear of any transit experiences with an Australian passport (I've read a visa isn't required if only in transit)?

 

[RooFlyer]

Only a very old story. We boarded a Saudia B747 for a domestic flight back in the mid '90s. Got up to the upper deck to find the flight deck crew praying in the emergency exit/aisle space. The was of course when I was a callow youth (-ish) and not very informed about the practices of Islam and I wanted to turn around right there and get off the plane!!

Since then, like you I've heard the food and service very good and for that price, who cares about booze?

 

[defurax]

Hey everyone ,
im flying to Europe later this year , on the way over with SIA J class using velocity points.
On the way back I found a good price saudia airlines j class airfare. IST-KUL $670 one way. The first leg is a a330 and then the 787-9. The Dreamliner business class looks very nice but couldn't find much on the a330. I've read the are a dry airline and no BYO but the few comments I have found , everyone says the food is great . Because it's the way home the no alcohol doesn't bother me , I would've drank enough during the holiday , the food and bed will be fine.
Are they ok to fly with ? And has anyone on here have any experience with them and flown them?
Im I silly for flying with them and just cancel it ?

Are you transiting via JED or RUH? During the Hajj I don't think you would be allowed to transit in JED. RUH is a third world airport, quite surprising for such a rich country. So I guess just make sure your transit is less than 12 hours and it should be fine.

 

[MEL_Traveller]

There are a few detailed trip reports on onemileatatime (and similar). They're a good practical guide. There are other alternatives which might be less 'severe' in terms of countries for transit. Kuwait Airways has similar fares from time to time from other ports. If you can get yourself to Cairo you could be on Qatar, Etihad or Oman Air from the same price as Saudia (and earn a swag of QFFF points CAI-DOH as that sector is in First class on Qatar).

 

[henleybeach]

Are you transiting via JED or RUH? During the Hajj I don't think you would be allowed to transit in JED. RUH is a third world airport, quite surprising for such a rich country. So I guess just make sure your transit is less than 12 hours and it should be fine.

We are travelling in November so I take it that's not during hajj. We transit through JED with a 4 hour layover, I had a look online and apparently the new airport will be open soon.

 

[henleybeach]

There are a few detailed trip reports on onemileatatime (and similar). They're a good practical guide. There are other alternatives which might be less 'severe' in terms of countries for transit. Kuwait Airways has similar fares from time to time from other ports. If you can get yourself to Cairo you could be on Qatar, Etihad or Oman Air from the same price as Saudia (and earn a swag of QFFF points CAI-DOH as that sector is in First class on Qatar).

I had a look and Etihad CAI-KUL was $980 and Qatar was $1100, another option but it might take some convincing to get ms henleybeach to go to Cairo !

 

[MEL_Traveller]

.... it might take some convincing to get ms henleybeach to go to Cairo !

if she has no problem with IST and SV I'd think Cairo would be a walk in the park!!