I’m live-blogging my SAS EuroBonus SkyTeam Million Mile challenge this week. Click here for background and route information.
Hello from Kuala Lumpur. Saudia seriously impressed onboard the 787-9 in business class…we enjoyed a lovely 8.5-hour flight from Jeddah to KL.
Saudia 787-9 Business Class – My First Impressions
After a very unproductive layover in Jeddah, I was happy to board our flight to Malaysia and go to sleep…little did I know how much I would soon be spoiled onboard.
This wasn’t my first time on a Saudia 787-9…I flew on this aircraft in business class eight years ago (same seat) and it was a decent flight, though nothing all that special. This flight, though, was special. Saudia has come a long way.
Even the cabin lighting and bedding have improved, such that you feel like you are stepping into a very posh cabin.
Service was excellent onboard and I slept very well during the flight. The seat is comfortable and the flight was very smooth.
But the highlight of the flight was the meals…two delicious meals. Saudia has a 100% on-demand dining service, which really rivals Qatar Airways and exceeds Emirates.
I had shakshuka after takeoff and it was beautifully presented and tasted fresh…precisely because it was freshly made onboard, including cooking the eggs. Saudia does not use trays in business class and the table was nicely set in a way that felt more first class than business class.
After a great rest, I enjoyed a heartier meal before landing of Arabic mezze followed by a mixed grill. The appetizers and the meat were perfect…there was nothing to improve on.
I also enjoyed another great cup of coffee (Sumatra single origin) from the extensive non-alcoholic beverage menu as well as a berry smoothie and fresh orange juice.
Saudia has improved greatly over the years and I’d put it in the top-tier now in terms of in-flight premium cabin service if you can deal without alochol. I was so happy I splurged for business class on our journey from Tunis to Kuala Lumpur.
Augustine, meanwhile, slept through the flight and missed all the great service and food. I guess he needed the rest…
We pulled up next to the KLM 787-9 that would shortly take us to Jakarta.
If you are flying KLM business class and they have a choice of an Indonesian-inspired entree, you should try it. Those have been really good in my experience. I think KLM service and food are underrated.
Is the IFE anywhere near what you get on Qatar and Emirates?
It was not, but that too has improved greatly.
Do they offer mattress pads on long haul flights?
No. Beddng is not up to QR standards, but still a very nice duvet and good pillow.
Wonderful review – I certainly would not have expected this level of quality and service on Saudia.
Almost close to “SQ’s”, “Welcome to World Class”.
After years of flying to different parts of the world, my family and I are of the opinion that SQ are the best.
SQ has world class crews no doubt, crippled by lagging hard product. Food, lounge leaves a lot to be desired compared to the best in the industry, I’m not surprised if Saudia is better than SQ in this aspect.
I appreciate your input.
I agree that the J Class hard product is lagging on the LR and ULR A359’s – this should be addressed in the next couple of years. The hard product on the 787-10’s, and MAX 8’s are actually pretty great in my opinion. We have always found them comfortable when travelling as a family.
We have always enjoyed the food on board (especially the “Book the Cook” option), and the SQ lounges at Changi are top-notch, especially when compared to the tripe on offer in Europe/N. America.
And like you mention the crew are phenomenal – the main reason why we try to always book our elderly parents on SQ.
Are you saying the meals rival Qatar and are better then emirates or the whole experience? Seems like the experience as a whole pales in comparison to Qatar—IFE not as good, bedding not as good, presumably no caviar—but it seems the meals may otherwise compare.
Also how is the ground experience in Jeddah vs Doha? The business lounge next to the garden at the end of the C concourse in Doha is hard to beat imo. Solved all the crowding issues of the more central lounge with nicer views
The meals are just as good…
Shakshuka or menemen has to be served as a coddled egg cooked in a seasoned tomato sauce which acts as a conduit for the spices : paprika and cumin and build from there, often with coriander, caraway, turmeric, or even saffron.
Taking Saudia to BKK as part of the challenge in a few days. What was the wifi like?
Ridiculously expensive. Don’t even bother. That’s something that QR (and even EK now) puts SV to shame.
Is the Korean Air flight on the 747 ? I think one flight is a380 . Looking forward to that.
We booked the A380. Augustine has never been on one!
Exciting. The trick is to get a photo of the inbound plane taxiing to the gate otherwise it is caddy cornered.