I did the transfer yesterday and it was very special to say the least.

I flew:
IST-JED (SV)
JED-CGK (GA)
On the same itinerary bought with Eurobonus points.

So when I came to IST I went to the Saudia check-in desk even though I was already checked in and only carried hand luggage but I wanted to ask about this upcoming transfer. They checked me in for GA and printed my GA boarding pass, made a phone call and let me know I will not need a visa and that I will be helped with the transfer airside from the transfer desk in JED.

I arrived to JED in time and headed to the transfer desk and I was the only passenger there. I showed them my GA boarding pass and said I need to make a transfer to terminal H. They seemed to know what had to be done instantly and started to make some phone calls. I was asked to sit and wait until the bus arrives that would take me to tH.

After about 30 minutes one of transfer desk staff said it was time to go so we went through an x-ray then about a 5-7min walk to a waiting area until the bus would arrive which was like 10 more minutes. I took the bus approx 10 minutes to terminal H and was greeted by the staff there like I was some kind of VIP and had to do another x-ray so 5 more minutes, then they sent me on another bus that would stop right outside the gate. And that was 2-3 minutes more.
Stepped out and another gentlemen from GA took over and we walked up the stairs to the boarding tunnel where I had to show my boarding pass to another GA staff and then I went on the plane.

They said that this transfer is very unusual but I still think everybody will get this treatment. So I don’t think I was lucky or anything.

Btw, the flight from JED - CGK with GA was one of the worst flying experiences I’ve ever had.
But not so much because of GA but the passengers on the this night flight. It was me and maybe 150 Indonesians where at least 80% of them seemed to be sick. They were coughing like CRAZY. I don’t think there was even 30 seconds a single time in the cabin in 10 hours where somebody didn’t cough. I’m dead serious. Truly absurd experience. The whole cabin just felt intoxicated and I actually skipped the meals because I didn’t wanna remove my face-mask even for 10 minutes.

I could probably go with Garuda in Business as it looked nice but not in Economy ever again.

EDIT: After some googling Jakarta seems to be the number one air polluted city in the world and a lot of people have developed a coughing problem because of it. Nevertheless don’t wanna suffer through that ever again.