Jeddah to Dubai in Saudia Economy Class

After a refreshing stay at the Park Hyatt Jeddah, it was time to continue my journey to Dubai. The same driver who brought me to the property the afternoon before took me back, dropping me off about two hour before departure.

Jeddah International Airport is not a very large airport and I knew two hours was far too much time, but better than safe than sorry—it was my first time flying out of JED. I checked in for my flight and promptly received my boarding pass. I was afraid that my carry-on bag would be weighed and then checked (it was small but quite heavy), but I was never asked to put the bag on the scale.

With 1hr and 50mins before takeoff, I had some time on my hand. The airport supposedly had paid wi-fi, but I could not get it to work so I just sat down and people watched.

^{The airport had several areas designated for prayer, segregated by gender}  

An hour before takeoff I proceeded through immigration—there was no line—and security, where men and women are segregated into separate lines, but the process is not at all a hassle. Shoes stay on, belts stays on, and laptops stay in the bag, I did set off the metal detector, but was only wanded in a cursory fashion (by U.S. standards).

Boarding began on time and the flight was lightly filled. There are no jet bridges in Jeddah so the crowd of 30 or so on the 220-seat flight were bussed out. As we passed a couple 747SPs, I wished the bus would make a stop and we’d use that aircraft instead, but instead we pulled up to our 777-200.

The crew was nearly identical to the last flight—a Saudi male purser and primarily Filipina FAs. Everyone had their own row and we soon took off with a powerful roll, though not before the safety video and prayer were played. No dates and coffee before this journey.

Lunch was served right after takeoff—a choice of chicken or fish. I went with chicken and rice and again it was primarily rice with just a few stray chunks of chicken. A salad and cold bread were on the tray as well, but the only delectable part of the meal was the dessert—sweet baked goods always hit the spot.

The same IFE system as the New York – Jeddah flight was available and I passed the time playing memory—nothing looked all that appealing.

We landed in Dubai as dusk settled in wrapping up another perfectly good flight from Saudia.

Read more of my Saudi Arabia + Afghanistan Trip Report–

Introduction: A Journey to Saudi Arabia and Afghanistan
How to Obtain a Saudi Arabian Transit Visa
New York JFK to Jeddah in Saudia Economy Class
Review: Park Hyatt Jeddah
Pictures from Jeddah, Saudi Arabia
Jeddah to Dubai in Saudia Economy Class
Dubai to Kabul on Ariana Afghan Airlines
Arrival in Afghanistan
The Panjshir Valley of Afghanistan
My Hotel, er Compound, in Kabul, Afghanistan
Kabul – TV Tower Hill and Darul Aman Palace
Kabul – National Museum of Afghanistan
Kabul – Gardens of Babur and Kart-e Sakhi Mosque
Kabul – The Green Zone and British Cemetery
Kabul International Airport and Departing Afghanistan
The Afghanistan Dilemma
Kabul to Dubai on flydubai
Dubai to New York via Jeddah in Saudia Economy Class