Category Archives: Saudia

Skytrax awards Saudia the “world’s most improved airline” in 2021

Saudia has made this announcement:

SAUDIA moves up 26 spots; a 55% improvement in its overall Skytrax ranking of global airlines

Skytrax has announced that SAUDIA is the World’s Most Improved Airline of 2021. This is the second time that SAUDIA has won this award since 2017. That year, the Saudi flag carrier impressively jumped from the 82nd to 51st position, a 40% improvement. This year, however, SAUDIA improved by a stunning 55% and is now 26th in the Skytrax ranking of global airlines.

The award cements the airline’s status as a full scale global carrier, constantly innovating its onboard service and culinary offering. Being awarded this accolade award reflects the dedication to quality and performance improvements in different award categories including cabin crew, food & beverage, in-flight entertainment and more. The Skytrax award comes as yet another milestone in SAUDIA’s on-going transformation which has led to several other awards and recognitions. The airline’s stellar health safety initiatives to ensure passenger safety during the COVID-19 pandemic have attracted global accolades.

With a route network of more than 95 destinations and a fleet of 145 aircraft – operating one of the youngest fleets in the world – SAUDIA is on an upwards trajectory of continued growth in international markets.

It is worth mentioning that over a hundred customer nationalities participated in the survey, with the 2021 Awards based on 13.42 million eligible survey entries counted in the final results.

Since the launch of its ‘SV 2020 Transformation Plan’ in 2015, enhancing the guest experience onboard has been a dedicated focus for SAUDIA. And in the last 12 months, the transformation has been even more rapid: SAUDIA has introduced a range of new products and enhanced existing features, modernizing the guest experience. Various initiatives include the signature Chef-on-board a la carte dining service; dine-on-demand; improved broadband internet connectivity; complimentary messaging plans across all cabins; and a new entertainment platform. The program hours have consistently increased in the last three years, taking it up to more than 5000 entertainment hours, ensuring that there’s always something for everyone flying SAUDIA.

The striking new onboard product is one of the most notable improvements at the airline. In fact, the airline has won several awards at major industry events in 2021, receiving recognition for its children’s kit; First Class and Female Business Class amenities; catering; and inflight entertainment and connectivity. These improvements have been underpinned by the significantly changed and refreshed SAUDIA fleet. In the past year, new aircraft have entered service, offering renewed product across all cabin classes.

Saudi Arabia is steadily building on its ambitious Vision 2030 program which aims to grow its global aviation and logistics hub; attract over 100 million tourists and capture a significant share of the region’s transit market. In the last couple of years, it has eased visa and travel restrictions, invested in the tourism industry, and fostered a business-friendly environment.

SAUDIA, as the national carrier for the Kingdom, is continuously transforming itself to lead the realization of these ambitious targets by offering its guests an unparalleled travel experience without foregoing the essence of Saudi culture. This award reinforces SAUDIA’s commitment to constant improvement and growth as it readies itself for a future in which Saudi Arabia is a global travel and business hub.

Historic Photo: Saudia – Saudi Arabian Airlines Fairchild F-27J N751L (msn 77) MSE (Jacques Guillem). Image: 955080.

Saudia unveils a 1972 retrojet on HZ-AK28 to celebrate 75 Years

Saudia has introduced a second special logo jet to help it celebrate 75 years of flying.

Boeing 777-368 ER HZ-AK28 (msn 42266) has been repainted in this special 1972 retro livery with a “75 Years” logo.

Photo: Saudia.

Saudia introduces a special “75 Years” logo jet on Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner HZ-ARE

Saudia has just introduced a new “75 Years” logo jet on Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner HZ-ARE (msn 41548).

The airline has released these photos.

#٩١_عاما_وموطني_يعلو

نحلّق برؤية قادتنا
أولى مفاجآتنا في #اليوم_الوطني_السعودي_91 🇸🇦✈️#هي_لنا_دار pic.twitter.com/WgZP3nQBF8

— السعودية (@Saudi_Airlines) September 11, 2021

Saudia and Gulf Air hold talks to enhance partnership

Saudi Arabian Airlines (Saudia), the national flag carrier of Saudi Arabia, and Gulf Air, the national carrier of the Kingdom of Bahrain, recently held talks to discuss their close commercial relationships and explore ways to build on the ties by establishing a codeshare agreement.

Being the first two airlines that started operations in the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) region, Saudia and Gulf Air will cooperate to expand their footprints regionally and internationally by sharing their codes and offering guests the signature warmth of Arabian hospitality.

The codeshare will further enhance seamless travel options for passengers of Saudia and Gulf Air, providing wider choices of domestic destinations in Saudi Arabia and other international destinations across each airline’s network.

Saudia will place its ‘SV’ code on Gulf Air flights from Bahrain to Riyadh, Jeddah, Tbilisi, Sialkot, Faisalabad, Baku, and Multan. On the other hand, the agreement will see Gulf Air place its ‘GF’ code on SAUDIA flights from Riyadh and Jeddah to Bahrain, Abha, Jizan, Yanbu, Aljouf, Ha’il, as well as Tunis–Carthage airports. These codeshare operations will commence from the upcoming summer schedule of 2021.

Saudia’s Al Fursan frequent flyer members traveling with Gulf Air on these routes will be eligible to earn and redeem miles for flights operated by either carrier on their codeshare routes. Similarly, Gulf Air’s Falconflyer members will be able to earn and redeem miles when flying on SAUDIA.

Top Copyright Photo: Saudia (Saudi Arabian Airlines) Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner HZ-ARD (msn 41547) (Year of Arabia Calligraphy 2021) CDG (Manuel Negrerie). Image: 953535.

Saudia aircraft slide show:

Boeing delivers the first 787-10 Dreamliner to Saudi Arabian Airlines (Saudia)

Boeing delivered to Saudi Arabian Airlines (Saudia) its first 787-10 Dreamliner, which will play a key role in the airline’s fleet and network expansion. The largest member of the Dreamliner family sets the benchmark for fuel efficiency and operating economics and will complement Saudia’s fleet of 787-9.

In addition to the 787-10, Saudia operates 13 787-9 Dreamliner airplanes, and 33 777-300ER (Extended Range) jets.

With the delivery to Saudia, the 787-10 continues to expand its global presence. More than 30 of this Dreamliner model have been delivered to seven operators since the airplane entered commercial service last year. As a stretch of the 787-9, the 787-10 adds about 40 more seats in a 2-class configuration and cargo capacity, offering 25 percent better fuel per seat and fewer emissions than the airplanes it replaces. With a range 6,345 nautical miles (11,750 kms), the 787-10 can fly more than 95 percent of the world’s twin-aisle routes.

Since entering service in 2011, the 787 family has enabled the opening of more than 235 new point-to-point routes and saved more than 40 billion pounds of fuel. Designed with the passenger in mind, the 787 family delivers an unparalleled experience with the largest windows of any commercial jet, large overhead bins with room for everyone’s bag, comfortable cabin air that is cleaner and more humid, and includes soothing LED lighting.

To optimize the performance of its 787 fleet, Saudia uses Boeing Global Services digital solutions powered by Boeing AnalytX such as Airplane Health Management (AHM), Maintenance Performance Toolbox and Crew Rostering and Pairing to optimize performance, manage global crew schedules and maintain their fleet. Boeing AnalytX is a suite of software and consulting services that transform raw data into efficiency, resource and cost savings in every phase of flight.

Photo: Boeing.

Saudi Arabian Airlines to boost Airbus A320neo Family fleet up to 100

Saudia – Saudi Arabian Airlines, the national flag carrier of Saudi Arabia, has decided to expand its existing Airbus A320neo Family order from 35 to as many as 100 NEO aircraft including 35 options. The additional firm order takes Saudia’s order of A320neo Family aircraft to 65 of which 15 are A321XLRs.

The agreement was announced at the Paris Air Show by His Excellency Eng. Saleh bin Nasser Al-Jasser, Director General of Saudi Arabian Airlines Corporation and Christian Scherer, Airbus Chief Commercial Officer.

Saudia is the biggest Airbus operator in the Kingdom and currently operates a portfolio of 100 Airbus aircraft comprising A320ceo Family and A330ceo. This latest purchase is in line with the Group’s Transformation Program, which includes the establishment and growth of a dual-brand strategy of operating airlines catering to the different customer segments in the Kingdom, the region and beyond.

Image: Airbus.

Saudia increases flights to Los Angeles, Singapore and Abu Dhabi

Saudi Arabian Airlines (Saudia) has announced additional seat capacity and frequencies on a number of its international routes.

The airline currently flies 3 frequencies per week to Singapore from Jeddah, which will increase to 4 weekly, with the addition of one more weekly flight effective October 29 this year.

The Singapore route is operated with the airline’s new state-of-the-art Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner, featuring lie-flat seats in Business Class and spacious Guest Class (Economy seating).

During the upcoming peak holiday period, two more nonstop flights to Los Angeles will start from December 10 until January 13, 2019 taking it up to five-weekly-flights for a limited time.

Additional seats will also become available on the Manchester route, from the period December 18 to January 13, 2019. The route will be operated with a Boeing 777-300ER during this period, with 115 additional seats per flight. Saudia currently flies to Manchester 5 frequencies per week from Jeddah with a Boeing 787 Dreamliner. Guests flying to Manchester can experience the latest inflight dining service in Guest Class (Economy) – Bistro by Saudia.

With increased demand to Abu Dhabi, Saudia will also begin offering an additional weekly frequency from Jeddah, taking it up to 8 flights per week.

Most flights feature Saudia’s latest state-of-the-art Panasonic inflight entertainment system, and features onboard WiFi and more than 4000 hours of Hollywood premiere and latest television shows, box sets, music, multi-language, international and children’s programming, as well as digital and audio books, and much more.

Since April this year, a free-of-charge WhatsApp texting plan was introduced for all guests to have the convenience of staying connected onboard, regardless of class of travel.*

As of September 15, Saudia has expanded the plan to now include free access to iMessage, Facebook Messenger, in addition to the already available WhatsApp.

Saudia is the first airline in Europe, the Middle East, Africa and Asia regions to introduce a complimentary social media messaging plan onboard flights.

Guests traveling with Saudia onboard all flights enabled with WiFi connectivity, will be able to access the social messaging plan through a simple three-step process. To select the service, guests can connect their device to the “SAUDIA_ONAIR” network, and then select the plan and provide an email address in order to activate.

Saudia flies to more than 90 destinations worldwide, with a modern, mixed fleet of 155 narrow and widebody Airbus and Boeing aircraft. The airline’s growing route network and double-digit growth has resulted in highest-ever passenger numbers – flying more than 22 million guests from the beginning of the year until end of July this year.

Top Copyright Photo (all others by Saudia): Saudia (Saudi Arabian Airlines) Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner HZ-ARF (msn 41549) YYZ (TMK Photography). Image: 939178.

Saudia aircraft slide show:

Saudia introduces free “social messaging” for all guests

Saudi Arabian Airlines – Saudia introduced a new ‘social messaging’ plan on September 15, 2018 which provides guests – regardless of class of travel – with free access to iMessage, Facebook Messenger, and WhatsApp.

Saudia is the first airline in Europe, the Middle East, Africa and Asia regions to introduce a complimentary social media messaging plan onboard flights.

On May 5, 2018, Saudia initially introduced the free Whatsapp plan onboard domestic flights, which expanded to include all international flights less than a month later, on May 31st. As of today, more than 500,000 guests have logged on and experienced the free Whatsapp plan.

Four months later, the airline is now expanding the highly popular social messaging plan to include two additional applications – iMessage and Facebook Messenger.

Guests traveling with Saudia onboard all flights enabled with WiFi connectivity, will be able to access the social messaging plan through a simple three-step process. To select the service, guests can connect their device to the “SAUDIA ONAIR” network, and then select the plan and provide an email address in order to activate.

Once the social messaging plan is selected, it will be available for the flight duration*.

More than 100 aircraft in the airline’s fleet feature Saudia’s latest state-of-the-art inflight entertainment systems and features, including onboard WiFi and more than 4000 hours of Hollywood premiere and latest television shows, box sets, music, multi-language, international and children’s programming, as well as digital and audio books, and much more.

Saudia flies to more than 90 destinations worldwide, with a modern fleet of 155 narrow and widebody Airbus and Boeing aircraft. The airline’s growing route network and double-digit growth has resulted in highest-ever passenger numbers – flying more than 20 million guests from the beginning of the year until end of July this year.

Top Copyright Photo: Saudia (Saudi Arabian Airlines) Boeing 777-368 ER HZ-AK20 (msn 41058) LHR (SPA). Image: 943643.

Saudia aircraft slide show:

Saudia reports 17 million passengers in the first half, an 8% increase

Saudi Arabian Airlines (Saudia), the national flag carrier of Saudi Arabia, achieved significant growth in terms of the number of guest numbers and flights during the first half of 2018.half of 2018

The airline carried approximately 17 million passengers across its domestic and international network. As a result, the carrier’s passenger rate increased by 8% and overall, the number of flights increased by 4%, compared to the same period in 2017.

Passenger traffic grew by 3.7% for domestic and international passenger numbers grew by 12%.

Saudia’s operating performance has recorded ongoing growth in line with the objectives and initiatives of the SV2020 Transformation Program, which was launched in mid- 2015.

These initiatives altogether form the largest program in the history of the airline, which is aimed at growing the carrier’s fleet to reach (200) airplanes by the end of 2020, as well as introducing a new range of product and services enhancements.

In less than three years, Saudia received more than 70 brand new state-of-the-art aircraft.

The introduction of new aircraft in the Saudia fleet has contributed to the airline reaching its strategic objectives, by adding seat capacity on domestic sectors, as well as expanding its international operations.

Saudia has grown its flight network this year to operate new nonstop flights to a mix of business and leisure international destinations (Vienna, Moscow, Malaga and Izmir).

Saudi Arabian Airlines Director General His Excellency Eng. Saleh bin Nasser Al-Jasser said that the carrier continued to achieve an increase in growth rates in its operating flights during the first half of 2018, which reflects the overall growth in the airline and subsidiary companies and strategic business units.

He added: “The operating performance outlined in the H1 annual report is issued at a time when Saudia is implementing its largest operating plan for the Summer season, which commenced on 23 Ramadan and that it will continue to 27 Dhu al-Hijjah next year. Furthermore, this plan includes running more than 56 thousand scheduled flights in both domestic and international flight sectors, with a seat capacity of more than 12 million. It is also worth highlighting that this plan includes the Hajj and Umrah flights, as well as other flights.”

Eng. Saleh Al-Jasser noted that the introduction of new aircraft to the fleet and operating the fleet at optimal levels have played a key role in supporting the operating plan of the carrier during the current high season. He added that increasing capacity in the domestic market has been a continued focus; ensuring seats are available for a growing traveler base.

Moreover, he stated that Saudia’s fleet is growing substantially (double-digits in a single year), and as a result, flies one of the youngest fleets in the skies.

Al-Jasser added: “Overall, connectivity and access to markets has increasingly become ever-important for trade and tourism. The growth of business opportunities and leisure travel – within the Kingdom and beyond – has been a core driver to offer our guests additional flight choices, with convenient journey times.
Mr. Al-Jasser reinforced that that the national carrier will continue working towards achieving operational performance, such as On-Time-Performance and increasing guest numbers by the end of 2018.

He praised the efforts of all teams across the company and strategic business units of Saudi Arabian Airlines, saying that they have contributed to SAUDIA’s growth. He also affirmed that the airline is planning to continue growing capacity on existing and new routes, in addition to adding new products and services.

The carrier is committed to further developing the aviation industry in the Kingdom, as aviation is one of the Kingdom’s Vision 2030’s focus points for development and investment.

In 2017 the airline carried more than 32 million passengers, registered over 200,000 flights and traveled more than 320 million kilometers. The airline grew its international transit traffic figures by double-digits over last year’s figures, and added 30 new aircraft to its fleet in a single year.

Saudia joined the SkyTeam alliance in 2012 and is one of 20 member airlines.

The airline has 11 codeshare partners including: Garuda Indonesia, China Southern Airlines, Air France, Royal Air Maroc, Alitalia, Korean Airlines, KLM, Middle East Airlines, Aeroflot, Air Europa and Oman Air.

Top Copyright Photo: Saudia (Saudi Arabian Airlines) Boeing 777-300 ER HZ-AK43 (msn 62763) (Green Falcons – Saudi Arabia football team) LAX (Ron Monroe). Image: 942503.

Saudia aircraft slide show: