Saudia Airlines Business Class Review Washington D.C. to Jeddah

I was quite excited for this Business Class flight from Washington D.C. to Jeddah.

I arrived late for my flight and missed out on the opportunity to try any of the lounges at D.C. airport. In fact boarding was well underway when I got to the boarding gate.

Saudia uses an older seat that resembles the old Qatar Airways seat model. There is a lot of space but zero privacy and the seat can just about be described as lie-flat.

I def liked the large TV screen came with a remote control and noise-canceling headset, while a power outlet and USB port were conveniently located under the armrest. A reading light and air vent were also located above the seat, and a seat control panel allowed me to adjust the seat position, lighting, and entertainment system. The tray table was stored under the TV screen and could be pulled out or folded, and a footrest could be extended or retracted for maximum comfort.

We ended up waiting almost two hours on the ground before takeoff because of a technical issue that needed fixing before we get cleared for takeoff.

About an hour after takeoff, the meal service began. The staff set up my tray table with a crisp white tablecloth and silverware, and brought me some delicious bread rolls with butter to start. For the appetizer, I opted for the Arabic mezze platter, which included mouth-watering dishes like hummus, baba ghanoush, and tabbouleh.

I was shocked how well and fresh the chicken dish tasted. It was a true delight! I know it might sound strange, but I honestly can't remember a time or dish where I was more pleased. The food was rich, delicious, and most importantly, incredibly fresh.

When it was time to sleep, the seat could be reclined into a fully-flat bed . The adjustable headrest, lumbar support, and cushion firmness ensured a comfortable and restful slumber. I was able to stretch out well unlike more recent Business Class cabins (I am looking at you Qatar Airways QSuites) that have cut down on width and length of the seat.

The bedding selection left something to be desired. As someone who's experienced some pretty nice premium cabins, I was hoping to find more than just  a single pillow and a thin blanket wrapped in plastic. Without a mattress pad, gel pillow, comforter, or any other additional amenities, it didn't make for the most comfortable sleeping setup.

I was able to sleep almost all of the Atlantic crossing and the flight of the Mediterranean.

In general I found the service a bit passive. It was friendly enough but not exactly exceptional. This may have been a language problem though I heard a lot of English during my flight.

Despite the delay we arrived on time into Jeddah and I was on my way to the Business Class lounge in Jeddah.