• Home
  • Reviews
    • Flight Reviews
    • Hotel Reviews
    • Lounge Reviews
    • Trip Reports
  • About
    • Press
  • Contact
  • Privacy
  • Award Expert
  • Advertising Disclosure
Live and Let's Fly
  • Home
  • Reviews
    • Flight Reviews
    • Hotel Reviews
    • Lounge Reviews
    • Trip Reports
  • About
    • Press
  • Contact
  • Privacy
  • Award Expert
  • Advertising Disclosure
Home  >  Afghanistan • American Express • SkyTeam • Trip Reports • zcard  >  New York JFK to Jeddah in Saudia Economy Class
AfghanistanAmerican ExpressSkyTeamTrip Reportszcard

New York JFK to Jeddah in Saudia Economy Class

Matthew Klint Posted onMay 28, 2013December 9, 2016 9 Comments

Flying on a new airline for the first time is always fun. There’s a bit of apprehension—will the service be good? How about the IFE? And the food? You can eliminate a lot of the guesswork through Google, Flyertalk, and blogs like mine, but uncertainty persists. I like long flights—the ideal flight length for me is 12hrs, allowing for two meals, a movie or two, and enough time to sleep. My Saudia flight from New York to Jeddah was 12hr, so flight length was ideal.

But I was in economy class—the fare was only $557 after all. Still, with the right seat at the right time sleep is possible and the late departure from New York would presumably help matters. With all that in mind, I was optimistic about the flight as I arrived at JFK on the AirTrain from Jamaica.

Although I used the record locator to pull up the reservation on Saudia’s site and was able to access a seat map and assign seats for all four flights (two 777-200s, one 777-300, and one A330-300) when I booked the ticket, the seat assignments did not stick and I found myself with no seat assignment when I checked in. The flight would be full, but the check-in agent found me an aisle seat near the back of the aircraft.

Agents were nice and I asked them to enter my Delta number into the reservation (there is no way to do that online) before printing my boarding passes. They obliged and my Skymiles number was present on the bottom of each of my boarding passes. Three months later, sadly, the miles have not posted and Delta does not have an electronic request form for Saudia—I’ll have to mail the boarding passes in.

With no lounge access (I do not have SkyTeam elite status), I saw no reason to arrive at the airport early and actually cut it rather close, checking in just 10 minutes before the cutoff. Security lines were long and my United 1K card did allow me to access the priority security line, but it still took about 20 minutes to get through security.

I made my way to the gate and not only had boarding already begun, it was almost complete! Oddly, there was no visa check at check-in or at the gate, an oversight by the contract staff I am sure, and I soon found myself walking down an empty jetway and onto the 777-200 that would take me to Jeddah.

With the exception of the purser, a Saudi man, and a couple female FAs that looked (and spoke) Arab(ic), the crew was composed of young Filipino women. They wore head covers and scarves and were quite friendly, welcoming passengers aboard and directing them to their seats.

Keep in mind that Suadia is what I would label an Islamic airline, conceding that airlines cannot be Muslim, only people. The airline is dry. Three rows have been ripped out in the back of each aircraft to create a prayer area. Prior to departure, a date and small ramekin (for lack of a better word—thimble perhaps) of Arabic coffee was served. That was followed by a prayer for the journey, a recitation of a prayer supposedly uttered by the Prophet Mohammed before he would travel. I tried to record as much of it as I could, but with FAs walking up and down the aisle, I did not want to blatantly violate the airlines’ electronics policy.

saudia-saudi-arabian-airlines-13

saudia-saudi-arabian-airlines-47

please forgive the blurry picture 

saudia-saudi-arabian-airlines-78

Prayer area (newspapers removed after takeoff of course) 

saudia-saudi-arabian-airlines-76 

A moist towellete, packaged headset, and small amenity kit was also distributed prior to takeoff.

 saudia-saudi-arabian-airlines-43

saudia-saudi-arabian-airlines-49

saudia-saudi-arabian-airlines-50

With the formalities done, we pushed back for takeoff and a safety demonstration played in Arabic then again in English on the seatback monitor.

The Panasonic IFE system was brand new and high-tech—it had an easy-to-navigate touch-screen interface with a separate passenger service unit, like a remote control.

 saudia-saudi-arabian-airlines-01

 

saudia-saudi-arabian-airlines-32

saudia-saudi-arabian-airlines-33

Humorously, the IFE was very much edited for content—but the censors did not seem to be after violence: a number of violent movies including the Bourne series, Die Hard series, and The Dark Knight were available with no apparent editing other than language. But Scarlett O’Hara’s dress in Gone with the Wind? Far too revealing…it had to be blurred. And kissing?

I ended up watching Gone with the Wind, one of my all time favorite movies. But the story becomes a bit harder to follow when every kiss is edited out—yes, just cut. And it wasn’t just the top of Scarlet’s dress that was blurred out—most dresses were.

I just found that sort of ironic…

After takeoff,  a printed menu was handed out. It is always nice to receive a menu in economy class: it hearkens back to the golden age of aviation in which all passengers were treated as valued guests, not merely customers.

saudia-saudi-arabian-airlines-53

saudia-saudi-arabian-airlines-52  

But the food wasn’t good. I ordered chicken and rice and the entrée was almost entirely rice, with a just a few chunks of chicken thigh. The green salad was fine, but I did not touch the baby shrimp salad. Eli’s cheesecake for dessert—reminding me of desserts I used to enjoy on United Airlines.

saudia-saudi-arabian-airlines-39

saudia-saudi-arabian-airlines-37

saudia-saudi-arabian-airlines-35

saudia-saudi-arabian-airlines-34  

Though it was not the Hajj season, there were many pilgrims on their way to Mecca and I loved how the commonality of their faith moved many strangers around me into conversation with each other. The flight was full of children—a lot of babies—but thankfully after a raucous cry-around early in the flight everyone quieted down.

I went to sleep and managed to sleep for the next seven hours. I wouldn’t call it a sound sleep—I awoke numerous times to re-adjust my position, but I got a good rest—I did not need a nap in Jeddah (or for the whole trip for that matter, very unlike my usual jet-lagged travels…).

90-minutes out of Jeddah, breakfast was served and there were again three choices on the menu—an omelet, pancakes, or foul. I had the omelet—served with a cooked tomato, tater tots, a side of fruit in a sugary syrup, and a hot croissant. Juices, coffee, and tea were available.

saudia-saudi-arabian-airlines-26

saudia-saudi-arabian-airlines-25

saudia-saudi-arabian-airlines-24  

We landed on time and if you cannot tell already, I was very satisfied with the flight. Economy class is still economy class, but the airline exceeded my expectations and (also based on my upcoming review of three additional flights) I recommend Saudia for SkyTeam travel to the Middle East and beyond.

saudia-saudi-arabian-airlines-02  

Saudia is a member of SkyTeam and therefore you have several ways to book travel using American Express points. With the 50,000-point sign-up bonus for the AMEX gold card, you will be well on your way to a Saudia redemption via partner Delta, Air France/KLM, or Alitalia—AMEX transfer partners all. Saudia releases generous amounts of award space in all three cabins of service (no first class redemptions on Delta) and there is no surcharge, a welcome alternative to Air France or KLM flights if redeeming with Flying Blue.


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 

Previous Article Memorial Day 2013: Remembering Gettysburg
Next Article New Thai Airways Flight – Los Angeles to Osaka

About Author

Matthew Klint

Matthew is an avid traveler who calls Los Angeles home. Each year he travels more than 200,000 miles by air and has visited more than 135 countries. Working both in the aviation industry and as a travel consultant, Matthew has been featured in major media outlets around the world and uses his Live and Let's Fly blog to share the latest news in the airline industry, commentary on frequent flyer programs, and detailed reports of his worldwide travel.

Related Posts

  • Good News: Capital One + AMEX Cardmembers Will Not Lose Virgin Atlantic Lounge Access

    February 3, 2023
  • American Express Centurion Lounge 2023

    Live Report: American Express Centurion Lounge Crowding

    February 2, 2023
  • Roadside Dining Jordan

    Roadside Dining In Jordan

    February 2, 2023

9 Comments

  1. Sunny M Reply
    May 29, 2013 at 1:19 am

    Nice report, you could also use Korean miles for Saudia right and are there any fuel surcharges if you can

  2. Amol @PointsToPointB Reply
    May 29, 2013 at 1:43 am

    Good report — any input on what the pitch was like on the seats/legroom?

  3. Dimitri Reply
    May 29, 2013 at 5:01 am

    Very interesting….thanks again

  4. steve Reply
    May 29, 2013 at 4:35 pm

    Interesting. RE: first paragraph. Apprehension. An understatement. Uh, I’d be thinking of more salient matters than comfort amenities: how’s the aircraft maintenance, how qualified are the pilots/crew, their skills, safety record. Somehow a flying ersatz mosque avec carpet doesn’t give me a warm and fuzzy feeling, but apprehension comes to mind. I recall flying the defunct JAT Yugoslavian carrier, one time, and never again. Finnair please, thank you very much.

  5. Thom Reply
    May 29, 2013 at 10:05 pm

    @Steve… A good indicator to whether an airline is safe or not is whether they’re blacklisted or subject to restrictions in the European Union (see http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_airlines_banned_in_the_EU ).

    Middle Eastern carriers, everything from Emirates and Etihad down to Yemenia tend to have excellent track records when it comes to safety and maintenance. What would worry me more about a Saudia flight is the lack of adult beverages on a 12 hour jaunt to JED.

    Most of the carriers you need to be worried about are from places like Afghanistan, Congo, North Korea, etc…

  6. Rose Reply
    October 21, 2013 at 5:32 pm

    I have a question: do women passengers have to cover their hair on flights? Is that required by the airline? And during the layover, whether in Riyadh or Jeddah, do female passengers have to cover up (with jacket and scarf) inside the airport when heading to the connecting flight?

  7. Matthew Reply
    October 21, 2013 at 8:51 pm

    Rose, Not during the flight, but you should have covering (head and jacket) as you enter the airport terminal to make your connection.

  8. Andrew Kobeszko Reply
    May 14, 2014 at 8:59 am

    Be careful with this airline!!! They are known for stealing!!!
    My suitcase was damaged on the flight # SV 871 / SV 211 from Manila to Milan on February 26, 2014. I followed all their Baggage Claim procedures and at some point I’ve had an e-mail as follows:
    “We are pleased to inform you that your claim is finalized , therefore, we are attaching a discharge receipt to fill in, sign with required details and return.
    Upon receipt of a duly completed/signed discharge receipt we will forward the compensation cheque to given address in registered mail”.
    My File Reference: MXPSV10089. Unfortunately nothing happened since April 2, 2014 decision. No check has been sent. No one answer the phone at Baggage Claim Office and no one replies to my numerous e-mails. It’s been six weeks now and I lost my hope to ever recover any money for my damaged suitcase. Andrew Kobeszko

  9. Michel Reply
    February 10, 2019 at 4:39 am

    Looks like it was a nice flight. Would you recommend Saudia airline for intercontinental connecting flights, e.g. over transferring in Qatar or Dubai?

Leave a Reply

Cancel reply

Search

Recent Posts

  • Spirit brawl
    Brawl: Spirit Airlines Employees Drawn Into Gate Fight February 5, 2023
  • runway incursion
    Close Call: Two Airliners Narrowly Avoid Runway Catastrophe February 5, 2023
  • belarus journalist arrested on ryanair flight
    Couple Abandon Child At Airport Over €25 Fee February 5, 2023
  • United Airlines Steakhouse Cheeseburger
    Steakhouse Cheeseburger On United Airlines February 4, 2023

Categories

Popular Posts

  • Spirit Airlines Captain Runs Out Of Cockpit After Woman Yells “I Hope Y’All Crash And Die!” January 17, 2023
  • Hotel Worker entered room
    Woman Demands $3,000 In Compensation After Hotel Worker Walked Into Her Room At Midnight January 24, 2023
  • United Airlines 2023 Status Extension
    United Airlines Quietly Extends MileagePlus Premier Status…Again January 14, 2023
  • British Airways 787-10 Business Class Review
    Review: British Airways 787-10 Business Class (Club Suite) January 10, 2023

Archives

February 2023
M T W T F S S
 12345
6789101112
13141516171819
20212223242526
2728  
« Jan    

As seen on:

live_and_lets_fly

The new United Polaris Lounge at Washington Dulles The new United Polaris Lounge at Washington Dulles is the most beautiful of all Polaris Lounges. Stay tuned for a detailed look and many more photos on the blog tomorrow. Well done @united.
@malaysiaairlines just announced it would retire i @malaysiaairlines just announced it would retire its A380 fleet. While not surprising, it is sad to see the growing list of carriers retiring this superjumbo jet. On Malaysia Airlines, I flew the #A380 once from Kuala Lumpur (KUL) to London (LHR) and had the entire first class cabin to myself (full review on the blog). It was a beautiful flight that I will always remember.
Welcome to @fly_bur @aveloair! I am so excited tha Welcome to @fly_bur @aveloair! I am so excited that a new carrier, Avelo, has launched, especially from an airport just 12 minutes from my home!
I greatly miss the @lufthansa #747-8 at @flylaxair I greatly miss the @lufthansa #747-8 at @flylaxairport. Hopefully this summer it will return.

.
.
.
.
#Lufthansa #FirstClass #747 #747-8 #StarAlliance #Miles #Points
I recently spent a weekend at the @ventanabigsur. I recently spent a weekend at the @ventanabigsur. This is not only a lovely, all-inclusive resort, but one of the best properties to use your @hyatt World of Hyatt points.
.
.
.
.
#Hyatt #BigSur #California #WorldofHyatt #CA-1 #Points #Hotels
In terms of a spacious first class product, the @E In terms of a spacious first class product, the @Emirates suite on a 777-300ER is hard to beat. My preference is Suite 2K.

.
.
.
.
#Emirates #777 #firstclass
Nearly five years ago, I took a “break” from I Nearly five years ago, I took a “break” from Instagram ahead of the birth of my first child. Goodness, how time flies. While I’ve enjoyed catching up on others over the years, now it is time for me to return to Instagram. In this first post, I highlight two joys in my life, my two children, whom I trust will grow up to be prolific travelers that circumnavigate the globe as ambassadors of love and respect.

.
.
.
.
.

#travel #airplanes #airlines #miles #points #familytravel #human #integrity #honor
United Airlines' new Polaris seat is a huge improv United Airlines' new Polaris seat is a huge improvement over UA's current business class seat. Check out my blog at liveandletsfly.com for 70+ photos of how @united is transforming its entire business class experience starting this December!
The perfect @flysas name tag for #Longyearben! The perfect @flysas name tag for #Longyearben!
Spotted four #polarbear outside of #longyearbyen - Spotted four #polarbear outside of #longyearbyen -- oh, and I love 40°F summer weather!
One of the best crews I have ever had the pleasure One of the best crews I have ever had the pleasure of flying with in all my years of flying. Thank you @flysas SK940 on 11 Aug 2016
Next stop ARN! But dear @flysas , next time if I a Next stop ARN! But dear @flysas , next time if I assign a window seat months in advance, don't move me to a center seat "for my convenience" with no way to get my original seat back... 😞
Ready for #PIA from #MAN to #JFK -- we will be rac Ready for #PIA from #MAN to #JFK -- we will be racing the #Delta flight to JFK at the gate next to us, which also departs at 12:45p. With @onemileatatime
Another room with a beautiful view... #hyattregenc Another room with a beautiful view... #hyattregencycasablanca #cassablanca #hyatt
Enjoying #shanghai with @onemileatatime from the i Enjoying #shanghai with @onemileatatime from the inside of the @grandhyatt_shanghai ... It is 40°C outside! 😓
From my front gate to my boarding gate in 15 minut From my front gate to my boarding gate in 15 minutes flat. I ❤️ #bur #burbankairport
@malaysiaairlines #747 out of retirement and in se @malaysiaairlines #747 out of retirement and in service at #kul -- beautiful livery!
View from my 61st floor room at the beautiful bran View from my 61st floor room at the beautiful brand new @parkhyattguangzhou -- look for a full review coming soon on the blog #hyatt #parkhyatt #guangzhou #parkhyattguangzhou
Will miss the @united #globalfirstlounge at #ord, Will miss the @united #globalfirstlounge at #ord, which closes tomorrow and the Queen of the Skies #747 which will be retired in 2018.
The colonial #architecture of #mumbai is stunning. The colonial #architecture of #mumbai is stunning. If you're ever here, get up at 5am and have a walk around the city before it gets busy. You can hear the birds instead of honking horns.
Load More... Follow on Instagram
facebook twitter instagram rss

This site is for entertainment purposes only. The owner of this site is not an investment advisor, financial planner, nor legal or tax professional and articles here are of an opinion and general nature and should not be relied upon for individual circumstances.

 

Advertiser Disclosure: Some links to credit cards and other products on this website will earn an affiliate commission. Outside of banner ads published through the Boarding Area network, this compensation does not impact how and where products appear on this site. While we do try to list all the best miles and points deals, the site does not include all card companies or credit card offers available in the marketplace. Please view our advertising policy page for additional details about our partners.

 

Editorial Disclosure: The editorial content on this page is not provided by any entity mentioned herein. Opinions expressed here are the author's alone, and have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of these entities.