Article: Saudia’s Cheap Business Fares Between Asia & Europe

[AFF Editor]

Saudia’s Cheap Business Fares Between Asia & Europe is an article written by AFF editorial staff:

Saudia's Cheap Business Class Fares Between Asia & Europe

When planning a trip to Europe, Saudia is probably not the first airline that comes to mind. But this SkyTeam carrier offers lie-flat Business Class seats

www.australianfrequentflyer.com.au

You can leave a comment or discuss this topic below.

 

[SYD]

I saw that fare on the FT thread last night and after an initial double take moved on. Its an incredible fare and I can imagine there will be some very tempted AFF’ers but not for me - I do like a pre & post departure bevy!

 

[Cossie]

Saw them advertised when I was looking to go Bangkok to Frankfurt a couple of months ago. Lack of alcohol is not an issue for me.
In all honestly, at the moment I could not fly with them. I realise a lot of ME countries have very dubious human rights records along with other places in that area, but imo they pale into insignificance compared to what the Saudis are doing, have done. I’ll add any PRC airline to that list as well.
Ethiopian had some good fares as well, but they are also on my current no fly list.

It’s a shame because a friend wants to run the Dakar Rally next year, which will be run entirely in Saudi and I would like to see him compete.

 

[Scarlett]

I’ve looked closely at these fares in the past but never booked. Much that I have read about the transits is the main problem I have. I get the impression that the very pleasant in flight product is directly opposite to what should be expected on the ground with Saudia.

 

[clifford]

but not for me - I do like a pre & post departure bevy!

It's a deal breaker for me too.

And having spent some time in Riyadh with the Australian embassy there, I have no desire to patronise anything Saudi Arabian.

Not that the embassy was alcohol free...

 

[RooFlyer]

It's a deal breaker for me too.

And having spent some time in Riyadh with the Australian embassy there, I have no desire to patronise anything Saudi Arabian.

Not that the embassy was alcohol free...

Yes I remember a very interesting soirée at the trade mission place. Basically any nationality, any booze you want.

 

[clifford]

Yes I remember a very interesting soirée at the trade mission place. Basically any nationality, any booze you want.

Indeed, and I remember a visit to a trade commissioner's house with a couple of slabs of VB in the boot of the car.

Everyone was a little bit worried we might have been stopped by the religious police, but it all ended happily.

 

[RooFlyer]

Indeed, and I remember a visit to a trade commissioner's house with a couple of slabs of VB in the boot of the car.

Everyone was a little bit worried we might have been stopped by the religious police, but it all ended happily.

When was this? I was there in 1994. Our host (Trade Commissioner) said: “What would you like to drink?”. Standard answer, after being in country a few weeks : “Saudi champagne“ <mint and Perrier IIRC>.

“No” he said, “What would you like to drink?”

Oh!!! We knew then why he had sent his driver for us.

 

[clifford]

When was this? I was there in 1994. Our host (Trade Commissioner) said: “What would you like to drink?”. Standard answer, after being in country a few weeks : “Saudi champagne“ <mint and Perrier IIRC>.

“No” he said, “What would you like to drink?”

Oh!!! We knew then why he had sent his driver for us.

I was there a couple of years after that, and I worked for the Australian Govt.

 

[Berlin]

Never ever would I waste my money on a “dry airline”. Nah- pass!

 

[MEL_Traveller]

Never ever would I waste my money on a “dry airline”. Nah- pass!

Lol. wasn’t qantas effectively a ‘dry’ airline until recently due to ‘covid restrictions’?

 

[Melburnian1]

If one wants to fly via ME, better alternatives are Oman Air and (perhaps not quite as good, but still acceptable) Gulf Air via MCT and BAH respectively. Saudia is off my list.

Both for instance fly ex MNL, a port from which business class fares tend to be cheaper than from SIN/BKK.

Book separate Y or if on sale J fares with PR from MEL/SYD/BNE and voila! - Europe/UK for less than A$6600 if J all the way, or under A$4700 if Y to Asia then J beyond. Not departing from the UK but using a European airport on the return also saves.

 

[RWJ777]

Imagine me having to break news to husband that no alcohol is available on flight?!

 

[Flashback]

I booked my folks in J SIN-AMS return a few years back, it's the only time they've flown premium cabins and said never again. The long transit in KSA didn't help and general service/treatment both on the flight and when in transit.

Use with caution and YMMV!

The trip they're about to embark on in J this time is with WY, I'm sure they will enjoy it much more.

 

[MEL_Traveller]

Agree SV is probably a niche airline for many. But it looks like a pretty good product if it suits your needs. My partner doesn’t drink at all, so would be more than happy with it. Short transits in the Kingdom would certainly help. I’ve seen a fair few itineraries with 6+ hours transit. That might prompt other alternatives.

 

[docjames]

Great pricing.

Leaving aside ideological grounds (people will have their own position on that), and the lack of alcohol (again, deal breaker for some, not for others), other notable questions include:
- what are Saudia’s IRROPS recovery like / how well will Saudia manage your onward arrangements/refund etc if they occur
- what is the transit experience like (partially implicated in above)

Be interesting if an AFFer had a recent experience to share?


Need someone to purchase and produce a TR!

Post automatically merged: Aug 11, 2022

I see @Flashback has commented addressing some of above.

 

[Flashback]

Great pricing.

Leaving aside ideological grounds (people will have their own position on that), and the lack of alcohol (again, deal breaker for some, not for others), other notable questions include:
- what are Saudia’s IRROPS recovery like / how well will Saudia manage your onward arrangements/refund etc if they occur
- what is the transit experience like (partially implicated in above)

Be interesting if an AFFer had a recent experience to share?


Need someone to purchase and produce a TR!

Post automatically merged: Aug 11, 2022

I see @Flashback has commented addressing some of above.

Yes, my parents would tell you some choice words in regards to their transit experience. When they arrived into LON after exclaiming how glad they were to see me ..... they said, Master Flashback, never again!

 

[Kelcan]

Yes, I enjoy my welcome champagne, but as a female, I would be terrified about spending 7 hours in Jeddah. No way!

 

[Mattg]

Be interesting if an AFFer had a recent experience to share?

@henleybeach flew them a few years ago.

Azerbaijan, Baltic Sea cruise and Saudi airlines business class

We spent the day wandering around the streets of Copenhagen. We walked down to the palace and watched changing of the guard. It was 25 degrees today so all the locals were out sunbaking along the warf and canals. We jumped on a canal tour which went for about a hour , we really enjoyed it. After...

www.australianfrequentflyer.com.au

 

[Flashback]

Some things to be aware of also (and this isn't unique to KSA as I've had the same in Lebanon) but when clearing security there you will be split into male/female lines/screeners etc.