Saudia, officially known as Saudia Airlines and formerly Saudi Arabian Airlines, is the flag carrier of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and one of the Middle East’s longest-standing and most globally connected airlines. In 2025, the airline continues an ambitious transformation tied to Saudi Vision 2030 expanding destinations, modernizing its fleet, and elevating service quality and digital capabilities. This in-depth guide covers Saudia’s history, fleet and network growth, customer experience, awards, operational performance, and how the carrier fits into the Kingdom’s wider aviation and tourism strategy.
Overview: Identity, Hubs, and Alliances
Saudia is headquartered in Jeddah and operates primarily from King Abdulaziz International Airport (JED) and Riyadh’s King Khalid International Airport (RUH), with Medina (MED) also serving as a key hub for religious traffic throughout the year, especially during Hajj and Umrah seasons. The airline operates scheduled domestic and international services to over 100 destinations across Africa, Asia, Europe, and North America, and runs significant charter flights during Ramadan and Hajj. Saudia has been a member of the SkyTeam global airline alliance since 2012, offering connectivity with partner carriers worldwide.
2025 Highlights: Growth, Awards, and Performance
Saudia transported more than 17.5 million passengers in the first half of 2025, a 7.2% increase year over year, operating over 100,000 flights with an 89.6% on-time performance (OTP). It ranked first globally for punctuality in March and June 2025 based on Cirium analytics. The airline added 11+ new destinations for 2025, spanning Europe, the Middle East, and Asia, including Vienna, Venice, Larnaca, Athens, Heraklion, Nice, Malaga, Antalya, Salalah, El Alamein, and Bali.
Saudia received the APEX World Class 2025 recognition and was named “Best Airline Staff Service” at the 2025 Skytrax World Airline Awards, underscoring improvements in service and guest experience. The carrier reports a fleet in the high-140s as of 2025 and plans to induct over 100 new aircraft in the coming years to support capacity and network expansion.
Network Expansion: New Destinations and Connectivity
Saudia’s 2025 network strategy centers on international growth and enhanced frequency on high-demand routes. The new additions reflect broad geographic diversification, serving leisure, religious, and business markets:
Europe: Vienna, Venice, Nice, Malaga, Athens, Heraklion
Middle East and North Africa: Larnaca, Antalya, El Alamein, Salalah
Asia: Bali
These routes build on the airline’s existing network of 100+ destinations across four continents, supported by over 530 daily flights, aligning with Saudi Arabia’s tourism and air connectivity objectives under Vision 2030. Saudia also continues to adjust routes for efficiency and market fit such as shifting the London–NEOM service from Heathrow to Gatwick in early 2025 to optimize operations and connectivity in the UK market. Saudia supports extensive domestic connectivity within the Kingdom, linking major hubs and regional airports key for both business travel and access to emerging destinations like the Red Sea Project’s dedicated airport.
Fleet and Future Orders: Scale and Modernization
Saudia operates a mixed Boeing and Airbus fleet, widely reported in 2025 to be around 147–148 aircraft, with ongoing deliveries expected to materially expand capacity. The airline has publicly stated ambitions to add more than 100 new aircraft over the next several years, with some sources specifying 117–118 planned additions, which would substantially increase seat capacity, frequencies, and network breadth across global markets. Saudia emphasizes youthful aircraft age, safety, efficiency, and upgraded cabins across long-haul and regional operations to support its premium and mass-market strategies.
Service and Cabin Experience: APEX and Skytrax Recognitions
Saudia’s transformation program prioritizes guest journey enhancements from redesigned cabin interiors to digital touchpoints that streamline booking, check-in, and in-flight personalization. The airline’s APEX “World Class 2025” status and the Skytrax award for “Best Airline Staff Service” in 2025 highlight notable progress in both hard and soft product quality.
Operational Performance: Punctuality and Scale
Operationally, Saudia has prioritized reliability and punctuality delivering an OTP of 89.6% for H1 2025 and attaining number-one global OTP rankings in March and June, as reported by Cirium. Over the same period, more than 100,000 flights were operated, totaling approximately 293,500 flight hours, reflecting the airline’s expanded global footprint and robust schedule integrity. Domestic traffic exceeded 7.9 million passengers, while international traffic reached 9.6 million passengers in H1 2025, reinforcing balanced growth across markets. These hubs feed the broader network regionally and intercontinentally, leveraging Saudia’s SkyTeam membership to extend reach through codeshares and interline agreements with global partners.
Saudia and Vision 2030: Tourism and Air Connectivity
Saudi Arabia’s National Tourism Strategy aims to attract 150 million visitors by 2030, positioning the Kingdom as a global tourism hub. Saudia’s aggressive route growth directly supports the Air Connectivity Program, which has launched 60+ new direct routes since 2021, and integrates with national investments to diversify the economy and grow private-sector participation in aviation and tourism. Fleet growth and daily flight expansion facilitate broader access for leisure, business, sports, and religious travelers, including improved accommodations for Hajj and Umrah flows.
Competitive and Market Context: Low-Cost Developments
While Saudia remains the full-service flag carrier, Saudi Arabia is also intensifying competition and market segmentation by supporting new entrants. In July 2025, authorities announced plans for a new national low-cost airline based in Dammam with a fleet targeting 45 aircraft by 2030, aiming to connect 24 domestic and 57 international destinations and serve up to 10 million passengers annually. Air Arabia will be part of a consortium managing the carrier, signaling deeper regional cooperation and competition within the budget segment. This ecosystem growth complements Saudia’s premium and network strategy.
Customer Experience: Cabins, Entertainment, and Hospitality
Saudia’s service revamp includes upgraded interiors, modernized seating, and enhanced IFE across its fleet. The airline’s award recognition in 2025 highlights frontline staff service standards and a broader end-to-end experience refresh supported by digital systems that streamline booking, check-in, rebooking, and customer support. The carrier emphasizes authentic Saudi hospitality in cabin service design and culinary choices.
Domestic Connectivity: Airports and Growth Corridors
Saudia links all 28 domestic airports, underpinning mobility across the Kingdom and supporting emerging destinations and giga-projects. The network spans from major centers like Riyadh, Jeddah, and Dammam to regional airports including NEOM and Red Sea International facilitating tourism, business travel, and economic diversification. The airline’s growing fleet will enable more frequencies and new point-to-point routes within the Kingdom to improve access and reduce travel times.
Saudi Aviation Landscape: New LCC Plans and Ecosystem Growth
Saudi Arabia announced in July 2025 the creation of a new national low-cost airline based in Dammam, with Air Arabia involved in management via a consortium. The carrier targets a 45-aircraft fleet by 2030, 24 domestic and 57 international destinations, and up to 10 million passengers annually. This development complements Saudia’s premium positioning by broadening access and affordability in the Kingdom’s air travel market, stimulating competition, and expanding the overall travel pie.
Practical Tips: Booking, Baggage, and Travel Seasons
Seasons: Peak demand aligns with Hajj and Ramadan, as well as summer travel to Europe and regional leisure destinations; booking earlier can help secure better fares and schedules during these periods.
Alliances and connections: SkyTeam partnerships can improve through-ticketing and lounge access on connecting itineraries; consider alliance benefits for multi-carrier journeys.
Airports: For Jeddah and Riyadh connections, allow ample time for transfers during peak religious seasons; Medina is often the preferred entry for some Umrah itineraries.
Route changes: Monitor route announcements and airport shifts, such as the London–NEOM move to Gatwick, if traveling to UK or NEOM corridors.
Looking Ahead: Capacity, Technology, and Global Reach
Saudia’s planned induction of over 100 aircraft over the next few years (variously reported as 117 or 118) sets the stage for significant growth in seat capacity, frequencies, and new long-haul opportunities. The airline’s focus on digital modernization and global on-time reliability benchmarks indicates continued emphasis on operational excellence. Network expansion in 2025, including Europe and Asia leisure markets, aligns with the Kingdom’s tourism goals and elevates Saudi Arabia’s position as a global travel hub.
The Sky’s the Limit for Saudia
From a single DC-3 Dakota to a modern fleet connecting the globe, Saudi Airlines (Saudia) has charted an extraordinary course. It stands as a powerful testament to Saudi Arabia’s progress and ambition. Under the transformative umbrella of Vision 2030, Saudia is not merely keeping pace with global aviation trends; it is actively shaping them. Through massive fleet investments, aggressive network expansion, a relentless focus on customer experience, and its role as a catalyst for tourism and economic growth, Saudia is solidifying its position as a leading international airline.
The journey is far from over. With new aircraft on order, new destinations being added, and a continuous commitment to innovation and Saudi hospitality, the future for Saudi looks as bright as the desert sun. For travelers, Saudia offers more than just transportation; it offers a gateway to experiencing the rich culture, warm hospitality, and dynamic future of Saudi Arabia. As the Kingdom spreads its wings wider across the world, its national airline, Saudia, will undoubtedly continue to soar, carrying the hopes and aspirations of a nation ever higher into the boundless blue. The next chapter in the story of Saudi Airlines promises to be as remarkable as the journey that brought it to where it is today – ready to welcome the world to the heart of the Arabian Peninsula.
FAQs
When can I check in online / what are Saudia’s web check-in rules?
Saudia offers web check-in. Online/web check-in typically opens 24 hours before departure (times can vary by flight) and closes 1 hour before scheduled departure for both domestic and international flights. If you check in online and have checked baggage, you’ll usually drop it at the airport bag-drop counter. Always verify times for your specific route.
What is Saudia’s checked baggage allowance?
Checked baggage allowance depends on fare type, route, and ticket class. Some fares are piece-based (number of bags up to a maximum weight per piece, often up to 32 kg) while others are weight-based. Your ticket will show the allowance; you can also find baggage rules on Saudia’s baggage page. Expect fees for excess or overweight items.
Can I get a refund or change my Saudia ticket?
Refund and change policies depend entirely on your fare rules (refundable vs. non-refundable, change fees). Saudia operates an online refund portal and provides guidance for cancellations and involuntary refunds (e.g., flight cancellation or schedule change). If you have a refundable ticket or eligible involuntary circumstance, follow the refund request process on Saudia’s site.
What is AlFursan (Saudia’s frequent-flyer program)?
AlFursan is Saudia’s loyalty program with three primary membership tiers Green (basic), Silver and Gold offering benefits like priority services, lounge access (for higher tiers), additional baggage allowance and the ability to earn & redeem reward miles. Details and tier requirements are available on Saudia’s loyalty pages.
Are there Saudia codeshare partners I should know about?
Saudia has codeshare and partnership agreements (including SkyTeam members and other carriers). Newer bilateral/codeshare deals (for example with US carriers) have been reported; check your ticket for operating carrier and any codeshare details. News reports and Saudia’s network pages list active partnerships.
In Summary
Saudia (Saudi Arabian Airlines) has grown into one of the most recognized carriers in the Middle East, offering extensive domestic and international routes, modern aircraft, and a loyalty program through AlFursan. Whether you’re traveling for business, leisure, Hajj, or Umrah, the airline provides a wide range of services—from in-flight entertainment and Wi-Fi (on selected routes) to special meal requests, pet/falcon travel, and assistance for passengers with special needs.
The key to a smooth journey with Saudia is understanding your fare rules, baggage allowances, and check-in deadlines—as these vary depending on route and ticket class. Booking directly on the official website or app gives you the most accurate information and access to essential tools like refunds, seat selection, and manage-booking.
Overall, Saudia continues to modernize with its refreshed brand, growing fleet, and customer-focused initiatives, making it an increasingly competitive option in the global aviation market. For the latest updates, always refer to the official Saudia website or verified customer service channels.
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