King Khaled International Airport (RUH)

Common Complaints

• Rude and Unhelpful Staff: A very consistent and frequent complaint across recent reviews is the perceived rudeness, unfriendliness, and lack of helpfulness from airport and immigration staff.
• No Free Sleeping Areas/Uncomfortable Seating: Travelers report that sleeping outside of paid lounges is often prohibited by security, and seating can be limited or uncomfortable with armrests, making layovers challenging.
• Security and Immigration Delays: While some report quick processing, many experience significant delays and congestion at check-in, security, and immigration, particularly during peak hours, with wait times potentially reaching 40-50 minutes for security and passport control.
• Limited Amenities for Transit: International terminals (excluding Terminal 5) often have limited food options after security, and duty-free shopping is described as small and lacking variety (e.g., no alcohol/cigarettes).
• Lack of Free Drinking Water: Multiple travelers have noted the absence of free drinking water fountains.
• Poor Terminal Maintenance (Specific Areas): Some recent reviews highlight issues like dirty and smelly bathrooms, or non-functional air conditioning and refrigerators in certain lounges within Terminal 2.

In summary, King Khaled International Airport is undergoing development and offers some strong modern facilities, but consistently struggles with aspects of customer service and passenger comfort, particularly for transit travelers. While some find it efficient and well-maintained, the frequent negative experiences regarding staff attitude, lack of free rest areas, and inconsistent service quality present a significant challenge to overall traveler satisfaction.