Hello from Saudi Arabia! I just took a Saudia Boeing 787-10 business class flight lasting 5 hours and 20 minutes from Amsterdam (AMS) to Jeddah (JED) as part of my review journey.
I’ll get straight to the point — this flight left me utterly amazed at its quality. If you can overlook the absence of alcohol, this must rank among the top business class experiences worldwide. It’s a stark contrast compared to my Saudia journey from about ten years ago, when calling the airline second rate would have been generous.
Gone are the times when several “local” male flight attendants would lounge in business class seats and be served meals before the passengers. Some may recall my Saudia first class experience years ago, where the crew was displeased that I “took” the cabin manager’s seat (which was assigned to me, yet he simply wanted to store his belongings there).
In any case, I can’t emphasize enough how impressed I am. I’ll share some initial reflections, and soon I’ll have a comprehensive review. It’s always refreshing to see an airline genuinely enhancing the passenger experience, which is precisely what I observed here.
My Saudia business class crew was exceptional.
Generally, I discuss service at the conclusion of my posts, but in this instance, I must address it right away, as it genuinely stood out to me. Regrettably, I must say that Four Seasons Yachts could take some pointers on service from this Saudia crew. They were not only exceptionally kind and welcoming, but they also showed remarkable attention to detail.
Caring for me were business class attendant Cherine, cabin manager Wael, and inflight chef Ihsan. All three greeted each passenger during both boarding and descent, which truly set a positive tone for the flight. The warm and sincere greeting was evident from everyone.
This particular Dreamliner lacked Wi-Fi at the moment, and Wael personally visited each business class passenger to apologize for that and explain that the plane would soon be upgraded with the service. Ihsan checked in with each traveler to inquire about their meals and gather feedback.
However, the real highlight was Cherine, who was dedicated to “my” section. She delivered impeccable service in every aspect, from the beginning to the end. We’re talking about proactive actions like replacing cutlery, consistently removing any waste from the seat, and even folding my blanket when I stepped away to visit the restroom.
Before I settled in for sleep (remember, it’s not an excessively long flight), Cherine asked if I wanted to be awakened at a certain hour and if I had a preferred drink she could prepare before landing. Such thoughtful touches occurred throughout the service. 10/10.
Saudia’s business class cuisine is outstanding.
Saudia offers a full dine-on-demand concept, allowing you to eat whenever you wish. On this afternoon flight lasting just over five hours, they provided a menu with three starters, four main courses, a cheese option, four desserts, and additional snacks.
The food presentation and service items were among the finest I’ve ever encountered in business class.
For my starter, I opted for smoked salmon with red chicory leaves and saffron potatoes. Honestly, have you seen a more appealing smoked salmon dish served in business class? I haven’t. Airlines often boast about offering restaurant-quality food, but this genuinely lived up to that standard.
For the main course, I selected the Saudi option: chicken mandi, featuring roasted chicken, caramelized onions, raisins, and red dakous sauce. This dish was outstanding and intensely flavorful.
Then for dessert, I had sticky toffee date pudding, which was also delicious… and huge. It resembled something you would receive at a restaurant, not on an airplane.
At Cherine’s suggestion (and since I didn’t want to disappoint anyone), I also enjoyed a cheese plate and fruit plate before landing, paired with a cappuccino.
Let me address the obvious “issue” with Saudia, which is that the airline is alcohol-free. Clearly, opinions will vary significantly on how much this affects their experience.
I must commend Saudia for significantly improving its drink offerings and introducing a variety of creative non-alcoholic beverages. Although I’m not particularly fond of high-calorie drinks that don’t provide a buzz (I prefer water, coffee, or Diet Coke), I felt compelled to try one for the team, and check out