Saudi Arabian AirlinesSV

Saudia (Saudi Arabian Airlines) is the flag carrier of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and one of the Middle East's largest airlines. Founded in 1945, Saudia is headquartered in Jeddah and operates a modern fleet of over 150 aircraft including Boeing 787 Dreamliners, Boeing 777s, Airbus A330s, and Airbus A321s, serving more than 100 destinations across four continents.

As a SkyTeam alliance member since 2012, Saudia offers seamless connectivity with partner airlines worldwide. The airline plays a critical role in religious tourism, operating specialized Hajj and Umrah pilgrimage flights that transport over one million pilgrims annually to the holy cities of Mecca and Medina.

Saudia is a dry airline—no alcohol is served or permitted on any flight, in accordance with Islamic law. The airline features distinctive service touches including prayer announcements, Miqat notifications for pilgrims, and traditional Saudi hospitality.

Carry-On Allowance

Personal Item (included on all fares):

• Dimensions: 18" x 14" x 8" (45 x 35 x 20 cm)
• Must fit under the seat in front of you
• Examples: Handbag, laptop bag, briefcase

Cabin Bag (overhead bin):

• Dimensions: 22" x 18" x 10" (56 x 45 x 25 cm) including handles and wheels
• Weight limit varies by class

Class	Cabin Bag Weight
Economy (International)	7 kg (15 lbs)
Economy (Domestic)	7 kg (15 lbs)
Business Class	12 kg (26 lbs)
First Class	12 kg (26 lbs)

First/Business Class: 1 bag + 1 briefcase allowed. Bag max 56 x 45 x 25 cm, briefcase max 45 x 20 x 35 cm, combined weight 9 kg.

Checked Baggage

Standard Size Limit: 62 linear inches / 158 cm (length + width + height) Maximum Weight Per Bag: 32 kg (70 lbs) for all classes

Domestic Flights (within Saudi Arabia):

Fare Class	Bags Included	Weight per Bag
Basic (Q/N)	1 bag (shared)	23 kg (50 lbs)
Flex (H)	2 bags	23 kg each
Business	2 bags	32 kg (70 lbs) each

International Flights:

Fare Class	Bags Included	Weight per Bag
Economy Saver (U/V/N/T)	1 bag	23 kg (50 lbs)
Economy Semi-Flex (Q/L/H/K)	1-2 bags	23 kg each
Economy Flex (M/B/E/Y)	2 bags	23 kg each
Business (I/C/D/J)	2 bags	32 kg (70 lbs) each
First (A/P/F)	2 bags	32 kg each

Flights to/from USA:

• Economy: 2 bags x 23 kg (50 lbs) each
• Business: 2 bags x 32 kg (70 lbs) each
• First: 2 bags x 32 kg each

Overweight & Oversized Fees

Overweight Bags:

Weight Range	International Fee	Domestic Fee (SAR)
23-32 kg (51-70 lbs)	$60 USD	SAR 1,725 (~$460)
32-45 kg (71-100 lbs)	Not accepted	SAR 2,575 (~$687)
Over 45 kg	Cargo only	Cargo only

Oversized Bags:

Size	International Fee	Domestic Fee
158-205 cm (62-80 in)	$100 USD	SAR 100 (~$27)
205-300 cm (80-118 in)	+$67 USD (total $167)	+SAR 100 (total SAR 200)
Over 300 cm (118 in)	Cargo only	Cargo only

Alfursan Elite Member Benefits

Status	Domestic Bonus	International Bonus
Silver (Elite)	+23 kg free	+32 kg free
Gold (Elite Plus)	+23 kg free	+32 kg free

Special Items

Item	Policy
Golf clubs	Standard bag fee (counts as 1 checked bag)
Skis/snowboards	Standard bag fee
Sports equipment	$100 USD base fee for excess
Bicycle	Standard bag fee (must be boxed)
Car seat	FREE (gate-check available)
Stroller	FREE (gate-check available)
Wheelchair/mobility aids	FREE

Fees as of January 2025. Verify at saudia.com/baggage.

First Class

Available on select Boeing 777-300ER and Airbus A330 routes.

• Seat: Private suites with fully lie-flat beds
• Pitch: 60-86" depending on aircraft
• Width: 20.5-23"
• Entertainment: 32" personal screen with AVOD
• Dining: Gourmet multi-course meals, on-demand service, premium non-alcoholic beverages
• Amenities: Luxurious amenity kit, noise-canceling headphones, turndown service

Business Class

Boeing 777-300ER:

• Seat: B/E Aerospace Super Diamond reverse herringbone (1-2-1 configuration)
• Pitch: 60-61" (155 cm)
• Width: 21"
• Bed: 180-degree fully flat, 2m length
• Entertainment: 23" personal HD screen with AVOD

Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner:

• Seat: Fully lie-flat beds in 2-2-2 configuration
• Pitch: 47" (119 cm)
• Entertainment: Personal AVOD with Thales system

Airbus A330-300:

• Seat: Lie-flat in 2-2-2 configuration
• Entertainment: Thales i5000 personal screens

Business Class Amenities:

• Alfursan Lounge access at JED and RUH
• Priority check-in and boarding
• Premium dining with Arabic and international cuisine
• AC power ports at every seat
• WiFi available on equipped aircraft

Economy Class

Boeing 777-300ER (US Routes):

• Configuration: 3-3-3
• Pitch: 32" (81 cm)
• Width: 18"
• Entertainment: Personal seatback screens with AVOD

Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner:

• Configuration: 3-3-3
• Pitch: 32-34" (81-86 cm)
• Entertainment: Personal HD screens
• Cabin: Larger windows, optimized humidity and air quality

Airbus A330-300:

• Configuration: 2-4-2
• Pitch: 31-32"
• Entertainment: Overhead screens (some aircraft) or personal screens

All Economy Classes Include:

• Complimentary meals (multi-course on long-haul)
• Complimentary non-alcoholic beverages (juices, soft drinks, Arabic coffee, tea)
• Personal entertainment on most aircraft
• Blanket and pillow on long-haul flights

In-Flight Entertainment

Saudia's entertainment system offers:

• Movies, TV shows, music, and games
• Arabic, international, and children's programming
• Live prayer times and Miqat announcements for pilgrims
• Flight information and moving map

Dining

Important: Saudia is a dry airline—no alcohol is served on any flight.

Class	Meal Service
First	Multi-course gourmet dining, premium beverages
Business	Full meal service, Arabic and international options
Economy	Complimentary meals on all flights

Non-Alcoholic Beverages:

• Extensive selection of juices and soft drinks
• Arabic coffee (qahwa) with dates
• Cardamom-infused beverages
• Premium teas and coffee

Special Meals: Pre-order vegetarian, vegan, kosher, diabetic, and other dietary options at least 24 hours before departure.

Booking

• Book directly on saudia.com for best service and easier changes
• Compare total cost including baggage—Economy Flex often better value than Saver
• USA flights include 2 checked bags—significant savings vs other routes

Hajj & Umrah Travel

• Book early: Hajj season flights fill up months in advance
• Pilgrimage services: Saudia offers comprehensive packages including flights, accommodation, and transportation
• Miqat notifications: In-flight screens announce when to enter ihram (pilgrimage state)
• Special services: Prayer announcements, diverse halal meals, medical support on pilgrimage flights
• Entry deadlines: Last day to enter Jeddah for Hajj is 4 Dhul-Hijjah
• Exit requirement: Pilgrims must leave Saudi Arabia by 10 Muharram after Hajj

No Alcohol Policy

• Saudia does not serve alcohol on any flight (First, Business, or Economy)
• Passengers may not bring or consume their own alcohol onboard
• Excellent selection of non-alcoholic alternatives including traditional Arabic beverages
• Consider this when comparing to other Middle Eastern carriers

At the Airport

• JED Terminal: Allow extra time—terminals are large and busy during Hajj/Umrah season
• Visa verification: Upload documents 48 hours before departure (new 2025 requirement)
• Alfursan Lounges: Available at JED and RUH for Business, First, and Elite members

Baggage Tips

• Pre-purchase excess baggage online for savings vs airport prices
• USA routes have better baggage allowance (2 bags included in Economy)
• Alfursan Silver/Gold status adds substantial free baggage

Upgrades & Loyalty

• Alfursan qualification is calendar-year based (January-December)
• Family pooling allows miles sharing with up to 8 members
• SkyTeam status provides lounge access on partner airlines worldwide

Common Issues

• 7 kg carry-on limit is enforced—pack light for cabin bags
• Online check-in requires visa upload for international flights
• Domestic Basic fares share one bag between passengers—book Flex for individual allowance
• Some older aircraft have overhead screens only (no personal entertainment)