Saudia | ATH - Various Asia | Business RT from €700
Dec 17, 2019, 4:28 am
#46
Moderator: Mileage Run, InterContinental Hotels
Join Date: May 2004
Posts: 5,918
It's a dry airline, but for the rest, the service is completely fine, and seats on the 787 are reverse herringbone (+ A320 from ATH is lie-flat).
All the Europe and Asia flights seem to leave from the new terminal in JED now, which I've heard is quite pleasant. Can't vouch for it.
All the Europe and Asia flights seem to leave from the new terminal in JED now, which I've heard is quite pleasant. Can't vouch for it.
Dec 17, 2019, 8:17 am
#47
Join Date: Nov 2014
Location: PRG, DRS, LEJ
Programs: BAEC Silver, A3 Gold, IHG Platinum Elite
Posts: 126
I've flown SV before and agree that these fares are a spectacular deal. The food is above-average for business class, service is fine, and the SV 787/77W seats are ideal for very tall people (along with CX/BR). I can live with no booze and blurred cleavage on IFE, but the looooong layovers at JED are a serious downside. Would appreciate any reports about the new lounge.
Dec 22, 2019, 1:12 pm
#52
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: Multiple locations
Programs: AAdvantage ExPlat LT Gold, BA Silver, Aegean Star Gold
Posts: 5,038
If not mistaken you need a visa (which for many countries) is now simply an e-Visa application... If not you are stuck in the airport...
Dec 22, 2019, 1:55 pm
#53
Join Date: Feb 2010
Programs: Flying Blue (plat), Eurobonus (gold), Accor (plat), Bonvoy (plat)
Posts: 290
I think they actually require a visa (if you're not eligible for a visa on arrival) for any connection of 12 hours or more.
Dec 22, 2019, 4:06 pm
#54
Join Date: Nov 2004
Posts: 366
It's a great product,especially the A320 flat beds from Athens.
Just be aware.........
Unless your Sam Chui,you will get shouted at if taking pictures in Saudia airports.
It seems it's not a security risk to take photos if your him,yet everyone else is a terrorist!
Just be aware.........
Unless your Sam Chui,you will get shouted at if taking pictures in Saudia airports.
It seems it's not a security risk to take photos if your him,yet everyone else is a terrorist!
Dec 23, 2019, 11:23 am
#55
Join Date: Feb 2014
Location: OTP
Programs: AF/KL platinum, Turkish gold, QR gold
Posts: 1,573
It's a great product,especially the A320 flat beds from Athens.
Just be aware.........
Unless your Sam Chui,you will get shouted at if taking pictures in Saudia airports.
It seems it's not a security risk to take photos if your him,yet everyone else is a terrorist!
Just be aware.........
Unless your Sam Chui,you will get shouted at if taking pictures in Saudia airports.
It seems it's not a security risk to take photos if your him,yet everyone else is a terrorist!
As far as I know I'm not Sam Chui - but I did never had any issue taking pictures at RUH or JED before. I took some pretty cool shots both in the terminal, from the bus, while boarding. Last time at JED we were bused to the plane which was parked far out near the Hajj terminal. As it was a lovely sunset I let the other pax of my bus board first, and I just waited in front of the stairs snapping some pics of the A330 and the airport sunset. Nobody seemed to mind. Maybe you were just unlucky and ran into some employees having a bad day?
Anyway I'm onto this deal as well after having done the FCO run two years ago and the IST run last year. This time it will be KUL on the 787 - I won't risk another old angled flat B777 like last year's trip to Manila. The fare is a good excuse to take an Asian holiday (I guess Laos this time) as it will be of help for sure requalifying for AFKL Plat.
SV uses the Goldair lounge in ATH right? I don't mind flying dry but I do like a good tipple before take-off if there is no alcohol on board and of the thee ATH non-Schengen lounges that one is definitely the best of the lot
Dec 23, 2019, 11:47 am
#56
Join Date: Apr 2014
Location: Taif, KSA
Programs: BA GGL, HH Diamond
Posts: 1,909
I believe it’s because the airports are also air bases for the RSAF that you can be shouted at for taking pictures on the airport (which is illegal under Saudi law) it’s also a fineable offence to take any pictures videos without the permission of everyone in the video/picture, this is why dash cam footage is not admissible in a car crash.
Dec 23, 2019, 1:01 pm
#57
Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: VCE
Posts: 10
why SV do not fly from ATH end march-april?
Dec 24, 2019, 2:36 am
#58
Join Date: Feb 2014
Location: OTP
Programs: AF/KL platinum, Turkish gold, QR gold
Posts: 1,573
For TWOV you can't leave the terminal. If you want no enter Saudi Arabia proper, there is no other choice than to cough up the (indeed hefty) visa fee.