Hello from Saudi Arabia! I just took Saudia’s Airbus A330-300 business class on the 75-minute journey from Jeddah (JED) to Riyadh (RUH), as I continue my review journey. In the previous installment, I detailed my Saudia Boeing 787-10 business class trip from Amsterdam (AMS), which significantly surpassed my expectations.
I’m pleased to say that this flight was outstanding as well, indicating that my first experience wasn’t merely a stroke of luck. It’s truly remarkable how high-quality short flights are in the Gulf area, especially given that this flight left at 1AM and arrived around 2:30AM.
On this flight, I enjoyed a flat bed and possibly the finest meal I’ve ever experienced on a short-haul flight. Allow me to share some preliminary impressions, and soon I’ll provide a comprehensive review.
Saudia’s A330 business class cabins are cozy
Saudia operates a fleet of over 30 Airbus A330s, primarily for short and medium-haul services. I was fortunate to be on a plane with the superior of the two interiors, featuring 30 business class seats across five rows.
This plane specifically had the Collins Aerospace Diamond product, presenting flat beds in a 2-2-2 layout. While it might not be optimal for long-haul flights, it works wonderfully for missions like this one.
Even though the cabin was nearly full, I had the two empty seats beside me, one on either side (there’s a reason I always sit in the last row!).
The entertainment options were also extensive, although I mainly watched the map feature due to the brief flight duration.
Speaking of entertainment, Wi-Fi was provided by OnAir, which was both exceedingly slow and comically overpriced. $50 for 200MB of data?! And a free messaging plan granting you… 5MB of data?! How thoughtful! You really shouldn’t have… like, you honestly shouldn’t have bothered. Thankfully, these planes will eventually receive free high-speed Wi-Fi, which should be a significant enhancement.
Saudia’s short haul business class catering is superb
I believe Saudia might have the finest catering of any airline in the Gulf region (cue the skeptics suggesting this is a sponsored piece or that I’m engaging in PR for Saudi Arabia, rather than simply sharing my authentic experience).
Before we took off, I was offered a pre-departure drink of my choosing (I went with the date and banana smoothie), mixed nuts, and my preference of a warm or cold towel.
Later in the boarding process, coffee and dates were brought out (don’t inquire about the date being placed directly on the tray table, please; it’s a lengthy tale!).
Despite the brief 75-minute flight and late-night departure, the food was exceptional. This wasn’t merely a snack but rather a complete meal, and every component was excellent.
There were three main course selections, and I opted for the Saudi dish, with the main course being sea bass sayadiah, accompanied by crispy onions and toasted pine nuts. I’m serious when I say it was one of the best and most flavorful fish dishes I’ve had on a plane. This was paired with a feta salad, a mezze duo, a selection of bread, and a dessert of black forest gateau.
Before landing, I enjoyed a cup of tea, which was served with a couple of chocolates.
It truly appears that much of the money Saudia saves by not serving alcohol is redirected into enhancing the catering budget.
Saudia’s cabin crew are exceptional
On my last Saudia flight, I was impressed by the quality of service, so I was pleased to find the same level of service on this journey. The business class flight attendants hailed from Morocco, the Philippines, and Tunisia, and they were delightful.
Despite the brief flight, they personally welcomed each passenger upon boarding, familiarized them with their seats, and before landing, thanked each passenger for choosing Saudia. Throughout the flight, they regularly checked in to see if anyone wanted another drink, more bread, etc.
They executed all service in a genuinely warm and hospitable manner, smiling and taking their time with each passenger.
Bottom line
Saudia’s A330 business class offers a comfortable experience, and it particularly impressed me for a 75-minute flight departing at 1AM. I had a cozy flat bed, an exceptionally friendly crew, and a fantastic meal. If you can overlook Saudia’s absence of alcohol (which is consistent across airlines on domestic flights within Saudi Arabia), the airline truly provides some of the best dining I’ve encountered in business class on any airline.
What is your opinion on Saudia’s A330 business class?