Saudia Airlines - Choose Carefully

[MangoKorat]

Mods, feel free to move this if its in the wrong place.

 

Flights being expensive I booked a split flight for my forthcoming visit - thinking I was saving a substantial amount. The split was using Saudia Airlines outbound from the UK and Qatar on the way back.  Not using Qatar both ways means foregoing my usual gold card entitlements on the outbound. I'm not being snobby - when you've had those entitlements for many years, having lounge access and not having to queue with 300 other people at check in really makes a difference but OK, I'll live with that this one time.

 

The stopover in Riyadh is quite a long one and a quick check revealed that I could get 3 hours of lounge access for £27 through Expedia - not too bad, or so I thought (its now gone up to £35). My Saudia flight arrives at terminal 4 in Riyadh and departs from the same terminal. The only lounge in that terminal is the Alfursan lounge which is for Saudia's first, business and gold members only.  When attempting to book the lounge access with Expedia, I noticed the Plaza Premium Lounge they are selling access to is located at terminal 2. So before booking I checked with the airline as to whether I could travel between terminal 4 and 2.  Not without a visa or an electronic visa waiver I can't and the cost of that is £45.

 

Before calling the airline I searched for an answer online but only came up with a lot of discusssion from people who had been told they could not go between the terminals without a visa and others who claimed they had done just that. However, as a result of that search I came across some Trustpilot reviews on the airline itself - they did not make good reading. To add to that there is no alcohol allowed on the flight and none in the lounges if I was prepared to fork out for one or could even use one.

 

So Saudia land you at a terminal where you cannot gain access to a lounge. You can't even use a paid lounge unless you are also prepared to pay for the visa waiver - seems very wrong to me.

 

That's my experience pre-flight, I'm hoping is doesn't go downhill from here - I'll just have to suck it up this time. The imposing of Islamic laws on international travellers had already made my mind up that this would be my first and last flight with Saudia but this latest thing over lounge access has sealed that decision.

 

There will no doubt be those amongst you who may have had a pleasant experience with this airline but I'm not expecting good things.  I've only travelled with either Etihad or Qatar for many years and this has confirmed why.

 

It just goes to show, check out an airline before you travel - 12 - 14 hours + stopovers is a long time, just be sure you are aware of any pitfalls before you choose an airline you're not familiar with. I normally review check any large purchase I make, god knows why I didn't on this occasion.

 

 

[stubuzz]

Dont worry. They will let you in even though you are not first/business class. However, there is a 4 hour limit.

[MangoKorat]

12 minutes ago, stubuzz said:

Dont worry. They will let you in even though you are not first/business class. However, there is a 4 hour limit.

Let me in to the Alfursan lounge? I read that somewhere online but the official website says nothing about it. Do you know the cost?

[georgegeorgia]

So to save all that ,you should of used business class like you always do 

But..no you wanted to save a few dollars and that's what happens 

[MangoKorat]

4 minutes ago, georgegeorgia said:

So to save all that ,you should of used business class like you always do 

But..no you wanted to save a few dollars and that's what happens 

1. I've never used business class unless I've been upgraded.

 

2. Saving money on flights allows me to visit as often as I do.

[georgegeorgia]

Maybe it does 

But I fly business class too and I do it for comfort,you only live once !!

[MangoKorat]

1 minute ago, georgegeorgia said:

Maybe it does 

But I fly business class too and I do it for comfort,you only live once !!

I'd rather visit more often thanks. Business class is great but its not worth 3 times the price in my opinion. Economy mixed with no queues and lounge access is perfecty adequate for me.

[stubuzz]

7 hours ago, MangoKorat said:

Let me in to the Alfursan lounge? I read that somewhere online but the official website says nothing about it. Do you know the cost?

It's about 250 Riyals. If you booked directly with Saudi Airlines, there should be an option to add lounge access within the booing process/manage booking.

[RetroGTAndrew]

Oh, the joys of travelling via the sandpit! Did it the first couple of times UK to Thailand, dismal experience! Never again, direct flights only now (EVA Air/Thai Airways) thanks!

 

Andrew

[Cat Boy]

I wouldn't transit via Saudi Arabia, nor anywhere in the Middle East for any reason. Full stop. There are other routes and other transit routes. But, maybe that's just me.

[stubuzz]

If you are transiting through Saudi Arabia, i would suggest that you go through Jedah Airport.

[Enoon]

"To add to that there is no alcohol allowed on the flight and none in the lounges"

 

How could you possibly book on the flag carrier of Saudi Arabia without being aware of that?

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[MangoKorat]

1 hour ago, Enoon said:

"To add to that there is no alcohol allowed on the flight and none in the lounges"

 

How could you possibly book on the flag carrier of Saudi Arabia without being aware of that?

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Because I fly regularly with Qatar and Etihad - they have no such rules.

[MangoKorat]

4 hours ago, Cat Boy said:

I wouldn't transit via Saudi Arabia, nor anywhere in the Middle East for any reason. Full stop. There are other routes and other transit routes. But, maybe that's just me.

Never had any problems in either Doha or Abu Dhabi.

[G_Money]

I have no issues paying extra by searching flights with a short layover time .

 

When I was still working part time before COVID I flew through the ME often going to/from BKK to/from CAI.  
 

Never Saudi as a transit airport.  No way Jose.

Only Qatar or Dubai or Abra Cadabra.

 

Currently JAL,   Just over 1 hour layover in Tokyo.   Between SAN and BKK.  Sweet.

[MangoKorat]

34 minutes ago, G_Money said:

I have no issues paying extra by searching flights with a short layover time .

 

When I was still working part time before COVID I flew through the ME often going to/from BKK to/from CAI.  
 

Never Saudi as a transit airport.  No way Jose.

Only Qatar or Dubai or Abra Cadabra.

 

Currently JAL,   Just over 1 hour layover in Tokyo.   Between SAN and BKK.  Sweet.

Until recently I flew to Thailand 8 -10 times per year. It is only by seeking out the best value deals that I was able to do that.

 

I don't like short layovers - some of these middle eastern airports are massive and getting to the next gate on time can be extremely difficult. I actually enjoy time spent in the lounge - direct flights are too mush for me, I've tried them. I am also a smoker.

 

On my last flight with Qatar, the stopover was around 1.5 hours - never again. We arrived 15 minutes late and then had to wait a further 15 minutes whilst some of the royal family's employees were allowed to join those in business class and leave together. To add to the delay, clearly the new Doha airport isn't big enough because we parked out on the concrete and had to wait for buses to ferry us to the terminal. Then, as has now become the norm again, we had to pass through security yet again (clearly we'd had the opportunity to visit the terrorist shop in the sky).  We were assured that our ongoing flights were aware and would wait - mine didn't.  I then had to fight with Qatar who were trying to tell me that according to their system my flight had arrived more or less on time and I should have been able to catch my connection! No allowance was made for the matters above. When I got through security my next flight was listed as 'Gate Closed'. Qatar staff advised me to go to the 'connections desk' -  long queue. I was then advised that they couldn't help and was sent upstairs where the fighting began.

 

Whenever possible I choose flights with at least a 2 hour layover - especially in airports that are so big, you have to get a train between gates. I wouldn't recommend anyone accepts anything less - especially if you plan on visiting duty free.

[newnative]

1 hour ago, MangoKorat said:

Until recently I flew to Thailand 8 -10 times per year. It is only by seeking out the best value deals that I was able to do that.

 

I don't like short layovers - some of these middle eastern airports are massive and getting to the next gate on time can be extremely difficult. I actually enjoy time spent in the lounge - direct flights are too mush for me, I've tried them. I am also a smoker.

 

On my last flight with Qatar, the stopover was around 1.5 hours - never again. We arrived 15 minutes late and then had to wait a further 15 minutes whilst some of the royal family's employees were allowed to join those in business class and leave together. To add to the delay, clearly the new Doha airport isn't big enough because we parked out on the concrete and had to wait for buses to ferry us to the terminal. Then, as has now become the norm again, we had to pass through security yet again (clearly we'd had the opportunity to visit the terrorist shop in the sky).  We were assured that our ongoing flights were aware and would wait - mine didn't.  I then had to fight with Qatar who were trying to tell me that according to their system my flight had arrived more or less on time and I should have been able to catch my connection! No allowance was made for the matters above. When I got through security my next flight was listed as 'Gate Closed'. Qatar staff advised me to go to the 'connections desk' -  long queue. I was then advised that they couldn't help and was sent upstairs where the fighting began.

 

Whenever possible I choose flights with at least a 2 hour layover - especially in airports that are so big, you have to get a train between gates. I wouldn't recommend anyone accepts anything less - especially if you plan on visiting duty free.

    I agree--you need to allow plenty of time between flights.  Spouse and I will try to avoid Dubai airport in the future.  Emirates has just gotten too big, we think.  On our last flight, even though Emirates is the big cheese at the airport and should get slots close to the terminal, we had to deplane using outside stairs--welcome to the 1960s--and I guess in the middle of nowhere.   I say that because we then had to take a very long bus ride--standing the whole time.  I thought that would put us at the terminal but, no.   We then had to get on a train to get us the rest of the way.  Finally at the terminal, it was still a long walk to our gate for the next flight.   

   Every time we use other airports it make us appreciate Suvarnabhumi and how well it works.   Our recent trip earlier this month was a breeze going through the security checks and Immigration.  

[richard_smith237]

7 hours ago, Cat Boy said:

I wouldn't transit via Saudi Arabia, nor anywhere in the Middle East for any reason. Full stop. There are other routes and other transit routes. But, maybe that's just me.

 

That depends where you are heading...    I agree if you are Australian and going home !!! 

 

Otherwise, Qatar, Emirates and Etihad are perhaps the best airlines out there along with Singapore. 

 

[VBF]

1 minute ago, richard_smith237 said:

 

That depends where you are heading...    I agree if you are Australian and going home !!! 

 

Otherwise, Qatar, Emirates and Etihad are perhaps the best airlines out there along with Singapore. 

 

Agree about Emirates, but I do travel Biz class 😋

 

Etihad p***ed me off several years ago, changing my flight from BKK-AD-LGW to LHR (Heathrow) and refusing any compensation for my inconvenience and  expense - I live very near Gatwick and was travelling Economy at the time.

.

Having worked in Saudi "back  then" nothing would persuade me to go near the place ever again!

[richard_smith237]

1 minute ago, VBF said:

Agree about Emirates, but I do travel Biz class 😋

 

Congratulations...     Give Qatar Q-Suites a try.. 

 

Emirates and Qatar are possibly amongst the best for Eco too...    The connecting flight gives an option for an over night layover which, if not in any rush gives a more relaxed and chilled approach to travelling... 

I don't mind 6 hours on a flight (in Eco) longer than that and I've had enough, so day time flying with an over-night layover works brilliantly.

 

Turkish also offer some excellent deals when flying with a layover (and offer a free hotel).. but the Bangkok to Istanbul leg is 10 hours...  and that gets quite tiresome. 

 

 

 

 

[MangoKorat]

14 minutes ago, newnative said:

Every time we use other airports it make us appreciate Suvarnabhumi and how well it works.   Our recent trip earlier this month was a breeze going through the security checks and Immigration.  

Enjoy it while you can - you might have already discovered that even Suvarnabhumi has a train now.

 

I've travelled with Etihad since they started in 2003 - the old 'flying saucer' airport was great. Most flights parked around it and all you had to do was simply walk across it to your next flight. Very few flights were remotely parked.

[VBF]

1 minute ago, richard_smith237 said:

 

Congratulations...     Give Qatar Q-Suites a try.. 

 

Emirates and Qatar are possibly amongst the best for Eco too...    The connecting flight gives an option for an over night layover which, if not in any rush gives a more relaxed and chilled approach to travelling... 

I don't mind 6 hours on a flight (in Eco) longer than that and I've had enough, so day time flying with an over-night layover works brilliantly.

 

Turkish also offer some excellent deals when flying with a layover (and offer a free hotel).. but the Bangkok to Istanbul leg is 10 hours...  and that gets quite tiresome. 

 

I do like the plan of breaking my journey and used to travel Eco on Emirates, then when I reached the age of "Grumpy old git" decided that on any flight longer than about 5 hours, I deserved (🙄) Biz class comfort, food, and chauffer-drive.

If the flights are on the A380, Emirates is VERY comfortable. Also, last year, I was recovering from a shoulder injury so requested free "Mobility assistance" which was also excellent.

 

I might try Qatar sometime though

 

[newnative]

30 minutes ago, MangoKorat said:

Enjoy it while you can - you might have already discovered that even Suvarnabhumi has a train now.

 

I've travelled with Etihad since they started in 2003 - the old 'flying saucer' airport was great. Most flights parked around it and all you had to do was simply walk across it to your next flight. Very few flights were remotely parked.

Yes--we've done the new train--which I didn't mind.   What I didn't like at Dubai was both a bus and a train.

[vinny41]

10 Dry Airlines That Don't Serve Alcohol

https://www.alternativeairlines.com/blog/airlines-that-dont-serve-alcohol

 

Last time I flew from Saudi back to the UK was flying British Caledonian 1987

rules in place at the time they weren't allowed to serve alcohol until they left Saudi airspace

after that they would normally offer you double of whatever you asked for and after the meal service was finished they announce if anyone wanted alcohol additional alcohol just go to the back of the plane and you would be given whatever you wanted from the drinks cabinet

 

If flying regular watch out for Ramadan as normally flights are cheaper during  Ramadan until the end of  Ramadan when they get expensive and normally full

Gulf Airlines During Ramadan: What To Expect?

https://onemileatatime.com/insights/airlines-ramadan/

[MangoKorat]

4 hours ago, vinny41 said:

If flying regular watch out for Ramadan as normally flights are cheaper during  Ramadan until the end of  Ramadan when they get expensive and normally full

Gulf Airlines During Ramadan: What To Expect?

https://onemileatatime.com/insights/airlines-ramadan/

Thanks but I won't be flying with them again.