I’m live-blogging my SAS EuroBonus SkyTeam Million Mile challenge this week. Click here for background and route information.
We had a very enjoyable flight from Tunis to Jeddah onboard a Saudia regional A330-3oo in business class. The service and food onboard were superb.
Saudia A330-300 Business Class: First Impressions
We boarded the flight and were warmly greeted by Ishaq, the cabin manager (purser). He set the tone for the flight and he and his crew took excellent care of us on the four-hour flight to Saudi Arabia.
Saudia will embark on A330 retrofit project next year, but for now still has “regional” seats on its A330-300 fleet that do not recline into a fully lie-flat bed. The 2-2-2 seating is not idea for solo travelers, but worked well for my son and me.
Of course, I was ecstatic to be back in business class after so much coach travel the last few days, but Augustine was as well and after a short night and early morning flight to Tunis, it was nice just to relax on this flight.
Arabic coffee and ates were served prior to takeoff and it was Augustine’s first time trying Arabic coffee…he did not like it, though I’m so glad he was willing to try it.
Lunch was served after takeoff and was a feast! Saudia offers an a la carte menu in business class with dine-on-demand service, though both Augustine and I ate early in the flight.
Augustine had chicken and vegetable tagine (with couscous, figs, courgettes, butternut squash, chickpeas, and raisins) while I had the “Saudia Sufrah” menu, featuring slow-roasted sea bass kabsa.
Wow, this was a delicious dish! Both were actually. I loved that meals were served on our tray tables and a tray was not used, which marks an elevated level of quality in business class.
The sides were also excellent, particularly the date pudding!
I rounded out the meal with a delicious single-origin coffee (Sumatra). It was supposed to have been served in a French Press, but I understood it was made in one. So good, and served with chocolate.
Saudia is a dry airline but I appreciated there was an extensive selection of coffee, tea, juices, and even mocktails.
We landed in Jeddah on schedule, where we faced a very long layover.
Such a lovely crew on this flight…I am very grateful for this leg, which is far and away the best so far.
I will do a full review of this flight after the trip, with more info on the amenities, IFE, and Wi-Fi onboard.
Next: trouble at the JED transit counter and the most aggravating layover ever…
Is the kiddo participating in the SAS challenge? 🙂
Yes, he is!
I’m a whore and a twat.
Interesting. Sorry to hear that!
Touche.
Is any document, such as a letter, needed to prevent spousal kidnapping of a child when flying overseas?
Great question.
I’ve occasionally travelled with one but have never been asked.
There are some countries that do require a letter or some sort of documentation. The United States certainly does for non-US citizens traveling as one parent with child. The US wants a notarized letter, preferably in English, saying specifically “I acknowledge that my child is traveling outside the country with [the name of the adult] with my permission.”
I’m Australian and lived in Chicago for 11 years and travelled with 1-3 of my kids alone loads of time and never got a question about it.
How would the airline know you are not a single parent??
I won’t lie. I have been waiting for the review of the Jeddah layover having heard horror stories about it before!!
Are you flying onwards in biz? That should make life more bearable
I’d kill for a glass of grenache, gamay or rose champagne with that meal.
And are the female flight attendants Muslim or Lebanese Christian? I thought Saudia mostly used Filipinos for cabin crew.
I believe they were Tunisian or Algerian. Did not chat about faith.
The one in the middle has the most beautiful eyes.
I’ve recently flown long haul in GF, EY and SV and it’s the last one which stands out for me.