INTRO
Flying with Saudia offers a unique blend of contemporary and traditional service, as my recent journey from Manila to Amsterdam revealed.
From the chic new service on the Jeddah to Amsterdam leg to the classic old-school vibes on the Manila flight, the experience was a thoughtfully curated journey.
Despite encountering some issues, particularly with the ground experience at Jeddah airport and the cleanliness of the showers in the lounge, the overall experience surpassed my expectations.
It felt like flying on a boutique airline, with exceptional service from the crew, especially Tania on my Jeddah to Amsterdam flight, who epitomised professionalism and charm.
MANILA GROUND EXPERIENCE
The journey began at the PAL transfer desk in Manila after arriving from Kuala Lumpur with Malaysia Airlines. Despite checking in online, I faced a tedious document check and a 1.5-hour wait before progressing further.
The ground staff handling Saudia check-ins seemed confused about Schengen visa rules, adding to the delay.
Saudia uses the Marhaba Lounge at Terminal 1, which is relatively small but adequate.
However, one of the Saudia staff members inexplicably disappeared with my passport for 2.5 hours, leaving me anxious about my boarding pass. The lounge staff were indifferent, but eventually, I received my passport and boarding pass about 30 minutes before departure.
MANILA TO JEDDAH
Pre-takeoff service on the Manila to Jeddah flight was impressive, with a menu, amenity kit, welcome drink, Arabic coffee and dates, and a hot towel, all offered with a smile.
The older business class cabin featured a 2-2-2 configuration, and I recently learned that this service is now phased out.
I can’t help but be in awe of the level of service provided by Middle Eastern airlines before even taking off.
Saudia is a dry airline, which was not an issue for me. The meal service began efficiently, with two friendly cabin crew members taking orders and delivering meals promptly.
I chose the Arabic mezze and crumbed chicken. While the mezze was delightful, the chicken was average. The crew’s pleasant demeanor and attentiveness made the journey enjoyable.
While the food served on the Manila flight was satisfactory, I must admit that the dishes from Jeddah surpassed expectations.
After sleeping for six hours, I was offered food upon waking. Before landing, I requested the chicken biryani, which was delicious.
The cabin manager’s interaction with passengers and apology for the slight delay added a personal touch to the service.
JEDDAH LOUNGE
At Jeddah, the transfer counter staff in the first/business class area were inattentive, so I used the economy class transfer counter.
Despite the frustration, the lounge experience was impressive. The large Skyteam lounge accommodates 450 passengers, with first-class and business-class sections featuring various amenities.
To my surprise, I had unwittingly walked into the first class section without being checked for eligibility.
I took advantage of the opportunity to explore the luxurious facilities exclusively offered to first class passengers.
Including exquisite seating areas, an ice cream station, dining areas, and a date bar.
The business class section was equally impressive, featuring a barista coffee service, a dessert bar, a pizzeria, sleep rooms, a shower area, and a kids play area, among other amenities.
Despite being a beautiful and peaceful lounge, the state of the showers left much to be desired.
When I asked for a clean shower, I was given some towels and told to use one of the dirty ones.
Nevertheless, it was a minor inconvenience.
The lounge was not just stunning in terms of its design and facilities, but it also featured robots that roamed around offering drinks to passengers.
This high-tech addition to the lounge experience was truly extraordinary and added to the overall futuristic feel of the space.
JEDDAH TO AMSTERDAM
Boarding the Saudia flight from Jeddah to Amsterdam on a Boeing 787 in a 1-2-1 configuration was seamless.
Tania, my flight attendant, introduced herself and assured me of excellent service.
The Missoni men’s amenity kit on this flight was outstanding, featuring high-quality items, including collaboration products with Grown Alchemist.
The collaboration with Grown Alchemist was a stroke of genius; I’m a big fan of their shower gels and use them at home.
All in all, it was a fantastic kit, and I can’t wait to put the toiletry bag to good use.
After take-off Tania took my meal order, although there were no menus on this flight, she was fantastic at explaining all the dishes and dressed my tray table immaculately.
I opted for the contemporary Arabic cuisine option, which included Shakshuka eggs, potatoes, caramelized onions, falafel, various pastries, tomato/cucumber salad, and fresh fruit.
It was delicious, and I was delighted with my choice.
As I dozed off for a few hours, the inflight chef noticed my interest in the service and food aspect of the flight.
He introduced himself, and we chatted about the menu, his job, and how Saudia had transformed its inflight service.
He suggested I try something else, and before I knew it, he had whipped up an Arabic mezze.
The Saudia Arabic mezze was a delight, starting with Tabbouleh, hummus, and muhammara dip served with cheese sambousek.
The muhammara dip, made of red peppers, walnuts, pomegranate molasses, and spices, was a standout.
I’ve had similar mezze items on Qatar Airways and Oman Air, but this one was among the best I’ve ever had.
It was beautifully presented, fresh, and bursting with flavors.In conclusion, my experience with Saudia was excellent.
CONCLUSION
My experience with Saudia was a carefully curated journey.
While there were some issues, particularly with the ground experience at Jeddah airport and the cleanliness of the showers in the lounge, the overall experience exceeded my expectations.
Saudia’s commitment to quality was evident throughout the journey. The attention to detail in pre-takeoff services, the well-organised meal service, and the crew’s dedication to passenger comfort all contributed to a lovely flight experience.
The cabin crew, especially Tania, provided outstanding service, adding a personal touch that made the experience feel special.
Despite some hiccups, such as the long wait for my passport in Manila and the less-than-ideal shower facilities in Jeddah, Saudia’s inflight service was exceptional.
The thoughtful touches, from the welcome drinks to the impressive amenity kits, showcased the airline’s dedication to passenger satisfaction.
Flying with Saudia felt like traveling with a boutique airline, offering a unique blend of traditional and modern service.
The high standards of service, delicious meal options, and the crew’s professionalism made the journey enjoyable.