Saudia

Saudi Arabian Airlines (ICAO: SVA), rebranded as Saudia, is the flag carrier of Saudi Arabia, headquartered in Jeddah. It holds a significant position as one of the largest airlines in the Middle East.

Saudia's origins trace back to April 1945, when a Douglas DC-3 aircraft was presented to King Abdul Aziz by U.S. President Franklin D. Roosevelt. This gift became the nucleus for the airline's formation, with Saudi Arabian Airlines officially established in September 1946. The airline became a legally independent company in February 1963, and its name was officially changed to Saudia on April 1, 1972.

The airline's primary operational bases are at King Abdulaziz International Airport in Jeddah and King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh, with King Fahd International Airport in Dammam serving as a secondary hub. Saudia operates a diverse and modern fleet, primarily consisting of Boeing and Airbus aircraft. As of July 2022, its fleet comprised 158 aircraft, including Airbus A320-200s, A321-200s, A330-300s, Boeing 777-300ERs, and Boeing 787 Dreamliners (787-9 and 787-10 models). The airline is actively pursuing fleet modernization by acquiring state-of-the-art aircraft.

Saudia's extensive route network covers over 100 destinations across the Middle East, Africa, Asia, Europe, and North America, with ambitions to expand to 250 destinations by 2030. In addition to scheduled domestic and international flights, Saudia also operates charter services, particularly during the Ramadan and Hajj seasons. Since May 29, 2012, Saudia has been a proud member of the SkyTeam airline alliance, marking it as the first Middle Eastern carrier to join the alliance. The airline offers several distinct cabin classes: Saudia First Suite, First Class, Business Class, and Guest Class (Economy). Notable services include gourmet dining options, amenity kits (with Furla and Porsche Design in First Suite), and a generous 34-inch seat pitch in Guest Class, exceeding many other economy offerings. For premium passengers, some First Class flights feature an onboard chef who customizes meals. Due to religious practices, the airline does not serve alcoholic beverages, and in-flight entertainment may be censored.