Saudi Airlines and Jeddah airport - how good are they?

[rankdominator]

Hi

I have managed to find a cheap one way ticket from Singapore to Johannesburg in December. It is ridiculously cheaper than other competing airlines (QATAR and Emirates) - by about $400 per pax.

MY question is this:
1) Anyone have any experience with Saudi Airlines? Flight number is SV829 - and departs Singapore to Jeddah with a 6hr layover, and then Jeddah Jhb.

2) The layover is 6hrs from about 11pm to 5am next morning. How is the airport and places to sit (potentially lie down) and bearing in mind, I will have 2 kids, ages 7 and 5 on the voyage with us.

I am tempted to take the flight - just wanted to find out if anybody had any experience with Saudi airlines?

Thanks

 

[stomplad]

Reviews here not so good Saudi Arabian Airlines Customer Reviews | SKYTRAX

 

[Platinum A332]

Be careful mate, your flight won't have pork, and apparently if you don't have the option to eat Pork on a flight, you will die.

 

[Sprucegoose]

What the price direct versus through Saudi ?

 

[rankdominator]

I always thought it was chicken or beef mate - Ive never been given an option for pork.

Im not too concerned about the fact that it is a dry flight, or in flight food - more about whether the aircraft are safe and the airport is satisfactory for a 5hr layover with the two kids.

For a Singapore flight to Jhb - prices are like under $300 one way... so the savings are immense - but at what ultimate price is my question.

Any current reviews would be appreciated - as those Skytrax reviews are a bit of a mixed bag - and some are fairly dated as well.

Cheers