Looking to fly with Saudi Airlines? In this article, we’ll give you an overview of the airline, including its strengths and weaknesses. We’ll also highlight what makes it stand out from other carriers.
Overview of Saudi Airlines
Overview of Saudi Airlines
Saudi Airlines is the national carrier airline of Saudi Arabia, based in Jeddah. The airline operates domestic and international scheduled flights to over 90 destinations in the Middle East, Africa, Asia, Europe and North America. Saudi Airlines joined the SkyTeam airline alliance in 2012. The airline has a strong focus on religious tourism, especially to Mecca and Medina.
As the national carrier airline of Saudi Arabia, Saudi Airlines is based in Jeddah with a strong focus on religious tourism – making it a great choice for those looking to travel to Mecca or Medina. As a member of SkyTeam, passengers can enjoy a wide range of benefits and services when flying with Saudi Airlines. Plus, one of the few airlines that still offers free food and beverages on all flights – making it a great value option for budget-conscious travellers.
Pros of flying with Saudi Airlines
One of the main advantages of flying with Saudi Airlines is that the airline has a young and modern fleet of aircraft. The average age of the fleet is just over 5 years, which is much younger than the industry average. This means that you can expect to fly on newer, more comfortable aircraft when you choose Saudi Airlines. The airline currently operates a total of 97 aircraft, including both narrow-body and wide-body planes.
Another key advantage of flying with Saudi Airlines is the airline’s strong on-time performance. In 2019, the airline had an impressive on-time performance rate of 80.5%. This means that passengers can expect their flights to depart and arrive on time when flying with Saudi Airlines. The airline has a number of measures in place to ensure punctuality, such as efficient check-in procedures and adequate staffing levels at airports.
Another great reason to fly with Saudi Airlines is the excellent value for money that the airline offers. The airline provides a high quality service at very competitive prices. For example, economy class fares start at just $200 USD for a round trip flight from Jeddah to London. That’s an unbeatable price for a long-haul flight on a full-service carrier! And if you’re looking for even more savings, the airline offers regular promotions and discounts on flights, hotels, and car rentals.
Finally, passengers can expect to receive excellent customer service when flying with Saudi Airlines. The airline’s staff known for being friendly and helpful, and they go out of their way to make sure passengers have a comfortable journey. Whether you need help with your baggage or have a question about your flight itinerary, the airline’s staff will be more than happy to assist you.
Cons of flying with Saudi Airlines
Flying with Saudi Airlines has come under scrutiny in recent years due to concerns over human rights violations, lack of transparency, and safety.
The airline has criticized for its treatment of female passengers and employees. In 2015, the International Business Times reported that Saudi Airlines one of several airlines that had accused of forcing female passengers to disembark from flights because they were not wearing clothes that adhered to the airline’s strict dress code for women.
In 2016, Human Rights Watch released a report detailing how Saudi Arabia’s government-owned airline had forcibly returned two asylum seekers to their home country, where they were at risk of imprisonment and torture. The report also documented how Saudi Airlines had refused to transport an ill child who required urgent medical care.
Saudi Airlines has also criticized for its lack of transparency when it comes to its operations. In 2017, the European Union added the airline to its list of airlines that did not meet safety standards, due to concerns about the airline’s lack of cooperation with safety authorities.
Despite these concerns, Saudi Airlines remains one of the largest airlines in the world, and continues to grow in popularity. If you are considering flying with the airline, it is important to be aware of these issues so that you can make an informed decision.
What makes Saudi Airlines stand out?
Saudi Airlines has a 5-Star rating from Skytrax and is the only airline in the Middle East to have this rating. The airline has also awarded the Best Airline in the Middle East title by Skytrax for the past three years, making it a top choice for travelers to the region.
One of the things that makes Saudi Airlines stand out is its modern fleet of aircraft. The airline operates a total of 140 aircraft, including Boeing 777s, Airbus A330s, and McDonnell Douglas MD-90s. This modern fleet allows the airline to offer passengers a comfortable and enjoyable flying experience.
In addition to its modern fleet, Saudi Airlines has an impressive on-time performance rate. In 2017, the airline had an on-time performance rate of 89.4%, making it one of the most punctual airlines in the world. This high on-time performance rate is due to the airline’s commitment to safety and its efficient operations.
Another thing that makes Saudi Airlines stand out is its excellent value for money. The airline offers competitive prices on both domestic and international flights. Plus, passengers can enjoy free food and beverages on all flights – making it a great value option for budget-conscious travelers.
Finally, Saudi Airlines known for its great customer service. The airline’s staff known for being friendly and helpful, and they go out of their way to make sure passengers have a pleasant flying experience. If you’re looking for an enjoyable flying experience with excellent value for money, then Saudi Airlines is definitely worth considering.
Conclusion
As the national carrier airline of Saudi Arabia, Saudi Airlines is a great way to fly for many reasons. The airline has a strong focus on religious tourism, especially to Mecca and Medina. As a member of SkyTeam, passengers can enjoy a wide range of benefits and services when flying with Saudi Airlines. Plus, one of the few airlines that still offers free food and beverages on all flights – making it a great value option for budget-conscious travellers.
The main advantages of flying with Saudi Airlines are that the airline has a young and modern fleet of aircraft, an impressive on-time performance rate, excellent value for money, and great customer service.
The airline has criticized for its treatment of female passengers and employees, its lack of transparency, and its safety record. However, despite these criticisms, the airline remains a top choice for travelers due to its 5-Star rating from Skytrax, modern fleet of aircraft, excellent on-time performance, great value for money, and excellent customer service.
