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Home » Trip Reports » Review: Saudia First Class Lounge Riyadh (RUH)
Lounge ReviewsSaudi ArabiaSaudiaTrip Reports

Review: Saudia First Class Lounge Riyadh (RUH)

Matthew Klint Posted onSeptember 18, 2017November 14, 2023 3 Comments

The first class section of the Saudia Alfurshan Lounge in Riyadh (RUH) proved to be a very comfortable place to spend a 7.5hour layover between flights.

To reach the lounge, simply follow the signs for “Alfurshan Lounge”. You will proceed up an escalator or elevator to a check-in desk where your boarding pass will be verified. To the right is business class, to the left first class.

a sign in a building

a glass wall with pink flowers in it

a reception desk in a building

a group of chairs in a room

a room with chairs and trees

Located just inside the lounge entrance is a room where you can leave carry-on items if you don’t wish to take them into the lounge with you. Don’t worry about your stuff being stolen: Saudi Arabia punishes theft very strictly.

a white closet with shelves and a light on the ceiling

The first class lounge is divided into the following sections:

a sign on a wall

  • Al Waha Dining
  • Al Majlis Lounge
  • The Study
  • Quiet Zone
  • Viewing Area
  • Washrooms

Let’s take a look at each area.

Saudia First Class Lounge Riyadh – Al Waha Dining

The dining room is self-serve, with no a-la-carte dining options or even staff to bring you drinks, but offers a buffet with a wide variety of food.

Appetizers included hummus, tabbouleh and two varieties of soup. I was impressed that tomatillo salsa was available along with a Greek salad and green salad.

Hot items included steamed vegetables, rice, saffron, fried zucchini, pasta and chicken. Cakes and fruits for dessert and plenty of juices, soft drinks, coffee and other nonalcoholic beverages.

a restaurant with a glass wall

a room with a wood floor and a wood floor

a buffet line with trays of food

a buffet with a glass top

a food on a counter

a kitchen counter with fruit and sauces

a row of food containers on a counter

a group of small bottles on a table

a coffee machine and cups on a counter

But I actually did not eat anything…I was full from the Dubai to Riyadh flight and very busy trying to get all my work done for the following morning in case the internet did not function on the RUH-LAX flight. I did have several cappuccinos and bottles of water.

a bottle of liquid and a cup of liquid on a plate

Saudia First Class Lounge Riyadh – Al Majlis Lounge

The lounge featured a lounge within a lounge, a seating area with comfortable chairs, couches, and pillows that remained empty for the entire time I was in the lounge.

a room with a glass wall and a shelf with toys

a close up of a logo

a room with purple lights

a room with purple furniture and a table

a vase of flowers on a table in a room

a room with purple couches and chairs

a coffee machine and cups on a counter

This section of the lounge featured its own drink selection, though it was identical to the drinks available in the dining area.

Saudia First Class Lounge Riyadh – The Study

A “study” area contained light snacks and several Apple iMacs. Four full-size desks were provisioned.

a room with a desk and chairs

a computer on a desk

Saudia First Class Lounge Riyadh – Quiet Zone

The lounge featured four semi-private rooms with daybeds. The rooms contained individual reading lamps and coat hooks.

a room with purple lights and chairs

a couch next to a stand

Saudia First Class Lounge Riyadh – Viewing Area

I think the “Viewing Area” is more aptly described as another relaxation area, but it did contain a floor-to-cileing window with views the terminal concourse below. This is where I spent the entire layover–in one of these chairs working. Thankfully, internet functioned fairly well and my travel sites were not blocked by overzealous censors.

a room with purple lights

a room with a couch and a table

Saudia First Class Lounge Riyadh – Washrooms + Showers

The men’s bathroom featured two sinks, two toilets, and a shower room. Towels are available upon request (and I also noticed them in the luggage storage room).

CONCLUSION

While this lounge cannot rank in the league of Air France, Lufthansa, or Thai Airways, it was a very solid first class lounge. I appreciated that it was nearly empty for my entire stay. Furthermore, I appreciated there was no annoying music or boarding announcements. I think Saudia could take the lounge to the next level with a bit more personalized service like drinks and food made to order (as I would soon experience onboard Saudia First Class).

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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.

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3 Comments

  1. James Reply
    September 18, 2017 at 8:25 am

    Lol. A theft punishment is not beheading. But cutting off one of your limbs (arm first, the other arm, legs for repeated offense). Organized armed robbery offcourse not a theft…

    Anyway, have you tried tor browser to bypass local government censor?

  2. Rahmi Reply
    September 20, 2017 at 4:14 am

    I believe FC lounge mostly empty, since Locals does not make the airport in the time. They more likely, check in and right way to boarding

    • Matthew Reply
      November 30, 2017 at 4:06 am

      You’re probably right.

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