“A New Era…”
Skytrax rating: 3 stars
SkyTeam member (2012)
Operations
Globally
- More than 80 destinations
- Code-share agreements
- Domestic in Saudi Arabia
South Africa
- Direct ex Johannesburg to Jeddah (contact us for more information)
General
Saudi Arabian Airlines is the national flag carrier of Saudi Arabia and is owned by the Saudi Arabian government. In 2006, a strategy of privatization was initiated in order to make the supporting services of the airline the subsidiaries of a parent company, but the airline itself will remain nationalized.
Saudi Arabian Airlines provides flights to more than 80 destinations internationally, but none to South America or Australia/New Zealand. However, the airline has code-share agreements with eight other airlines (mainly also in the Middle East) and more codes-share partners will be secured once full SkyTeam membership has been finalized in 2012.
Saudi Arabian Airlines offers three cabin classes:
- First Class
- Business Class
- Guest Class
Guest Class is the equivalent of economy class on other airlines but the seats have a pitch of 34 inches, which is at the high end for economy class on international flights. Business Class seats are also spacious. Catering is lavish and the menu is detailed and adapted to different regions of the world, but take note that no pork or alcohol is served on the airline’s flights due to Islamic restrictions. Electronic entertainment is provided. There is an in-flight shopping service known as Skysales which offers a claimed discount of 30% on retail prices.
The frequent flyer program is called Al-Fursan.
Saudi Arabian Airlines operates a fleet of about 150 aircraft, with 20 long-range Boeings presently on order, including the 787 model. Airbus planes are also used. A number of the planes in the fleet are operated by other airlines, but this distribution is usually restricted to only one aircraft in the case of each airline. Most of the Saudi Arabian Cargo fleet is operated in this way – by other airlines. There are also eight aircraft which make up the royal fleet, all of them wide-bodied passenger planes.
