Saudia business class review: Manila to AlUla via Jeddah on the Boeing 787-10, Saudi Arabia

Flying business class to AlUla is not the most obvious thing to research. It’s a destination that barely registered on most people’s radar until a few years ago, and routing through Jeddah on Saudia isn’t a combination that comes up in the usual business class conversation. But here we are. You just watched this vlog covering a full two-leg journey — Manila to Jeddah on the Boeing 787-10, then Jeddah to AlUla on an A321-200, with a nearly eight-hour layover in Jeddah in between — and you’re wondering whether Saudia business class is actually worth it and how the whole thing works end to end. Let me break it down.

Total trip: 20 hours and 40 minutes. Total fare: 8,131 SAR, approximately $2,168 USD for the full journey in business class. You get the Collins Aerospace reverse herringbone seats on the long-haul leg, the Al-Fursan lounge during your Jeddah layover, a completely different aircraft for the short domestic hop, and you land in AlUla — one of the most extraordinary archaeological destinations on the planet — ready to drive straight to your desert resort. Here’s everything about the experience the video covers.

Saudia – who are they and why does it matter?

Saudia (formally Saudi Arabian Airlines) has been operating since September 1945, making it one of the oldest airlines in the Middle East. It’s the flag carrier of Saudi Arabia, headquartered in Jeddah, government-owned under the Saudia Group, and a SkyTeam Alliance member since 2012. Fleet of 143 aircraft, 148 destinations globally, and a frequent flyer program called Al-Fursan that has some genuinely interesting redemption angles — more on that in the pricing section.

The reason Saudia matters right now — beyond just being the obvious choice if you’re flying to Saudi Arabia — is that the country’s tourism push means the airline is investing seriously in its product. It ranked in the top 20 best business class products in the world in the 2025 Skytrax rankings. The 787-10 Dreamliner operating the long-haul segment is one of their flagship aircraft, and the business class configuration on it is genuinely competitive with what you’d expect from a top-tier carrier.

One important note that shapes the entire experience: Saudia is a dry airline. No alcohol on board or in their lounges. If that’s a dealbreaker for you, now you know. If not — and plenty of very satisfied business class passengers couldn’t care less — the food quality, seat comfort, and service more than compensate.

Leg one – SV871 Manila to Jeddah on the Boeing 787-10

✈️ The aircraft and departure

The first segment is the main event. Flight SV871 departs Ninoy Aquino International Airport (MNL) in Manila at 9:40 PM and arrives at King Abdulaziz International Airport in Jeddah at 4:10 AM — a flight time of 11 hours and 30 minutes. The aircraft is the Boeing 787-10 Dreamliner, the longest variant of the 787 family, running 143 feet in length and offering 25% better fuel efficiency per seat than previous generation aircraft. On this configuration, Saudia runs 24 business class seats and 333 economy seats.

The 787-10 brings the standard Dreamliner comfort advantages: larger windows with electrochromic dimming (no physical shades — you dial the tint), lower cabin altitude equivalent to 6,000 feet versus the 8,000 feet of older aircraft, higher humidity levels, and noticeably better air quality on a long overnight flight. These are real differences you feel across an 11.5-hour sector, not marketing claims.

🪑 The business class seat

Saudia’s 787-10 business class cabin features the Collins Aerospace Super Diamond seats in a 1-2-1 reverse herringbone configuration. Every single seat has direct aisle access — no climbing over anyone, no window seat passenger trapped by a sleeping neighbor. This matters enormously on a late-night departure and is now the baseline expectation for serious long-haul business class.

The specs:

• 📐 47-inch pitch and 20-22 inch width
• 🛏️ Fully lie-flat bed — 180 degrees recline
• 📱 17-inch touchscreen entertainment monitor
• 🔌 Power outlet and USB ports at each seat
• 💺 Adjustable headrest, lumbar support, and massage function
• 🗄️ Multiple storage compartments including a side console large enough for a water bottle and phone

The reverse herringbone layout angles each seat slightly toward the window, giving a natural sense of privacy even in the center pair seats. Window seats point slightly away from the aisle, which means you’re not looking directly at the person opposite you. It’s a configuration that genuinely works for solo travelers who want to feel tucked in rather than exposed. The vlog spends significant time touring the seat — the video walkthrough at 02:56 is worth rewinding if you’re deciding between seat positions.

🍽️ Food and the dry airline reality

One of the things that actually sets Saudia business class apart from competitors is the food. Every Saudia flight has a dedicated chef on board who manages the meals and makes rounds to check on passengers personally. This is not a standard feature on most long-haul business class flights and it shows in the quality.

The menu follows a “dine as you like” service style — you’re not locked into a set meal time, which on a late-night departure makes a meaningful difference. The video covers two meals: the first shortly after takeoff (covered at 12:44 in the vlog) and the second before landing (16:42). The menu features Middle Eastern and international options with halal preparation throughout. Portion sizes and presentation quality are consistently praised in reviews from this aircraft type.

In place of alcohol: a strong selection of non-alcoholic beverages including fresh juices, mocktails, Arabic coffee, specialty teas, and soft drinks. The coffee and tea service is genuinely good — Arabic coffee (qahwa) with dates is a proper touch and sets the tone. If you’re coming from a Champagne-on-boarding airline and are precious about your pre-departure glass, this will require an attitude adjustment. Everyone else will be fine.

🎒 Amenity kit and turndown

Saudia business class amenity pouches contain skincare from Sprekenhus — hand lotion, day cream, lip balm — plus the standard sleep kit: socks, eye mask, earplugs, toothbrush, and toothpaste. The vlog opens the pouch on camera at 15:58 and the contents are exactly what you’d expect for a top-tier business class kit without being flashy about it. The fully flat bed is also demonstrated at 15:58 — on an 11.5-hour overnight sector this is the feature that matters most and it delivers.

📺 In-flight entertainment

The IFE system on the 787-10 runs through the 17-inch touchscreen at each seat. The library covers Hollywood and international cinema, Arabic content, TV series, and children’s programming. The vlog dedicates a solid section to the entertainment system at 18:05 and gives a proper tour of the library. Quality and screen responsiveness are generally positive in reviews — the screen size is competitive with what you’d find on comparable long-haul products.

A note on Wi-Fi that affects practical planning: Saudia’s Wi-Fi availability on the 787-10 has been noted as inconsistent across reviews — some passengers report it working well and others not at all. The vlog covers this at 10:49. If you’re planning to work during the flight, don’t count on connectivity and treat anything functional as a bonus rather than a guarantee.

The Jeddah layover – 7 hours 55 minutes at King Abdulaziz International Airport

You land at King Abdulaziz International Airport (JED) in Jeddah at 4:10 AM and your onward domestic flight to AlUla doesn’t depart until 12:05 PM. That’s a 7-hour 55-minute layover. On paper that sounds rough. In practice, this is where the business class ticket earns its keep in a very specific way: you have access to the Al-Fursan Lounge for the full duration.

🛋️ The Al-Fursan Domestic Business Class Lounge

There are two Al-Fursan lounges at King Abdulaziz International Airport — one for international flights and one for domestic. Since the onward flight to AlUla is a domestic Saudi route, the vlog covers the domestic Al-Fursan lounge (covered from 24:58 in the video). Access is granted to Saudia business class passengers and Al-Fursan Silver and Gold members traveling domestically.

What you actually get in this lounge during a long early-morning layover:

• 🍳 Hot food and cold buffet options — Arabic mezze, hot dishes, basmati rice, fresh options throughout the day. Multiple review sources flag the food quality as genuinely good rather than standard lounge fare
• ☕ Coffee station and full beverage selection (non-alcoholic throughout)
• 🚿 Showers — critical for a 4 AM arrival when you need to function at 12 PM
• 🙏 Prayer room
• 💻 Free Wi-Fi and charging points near most seating areas
• 🛋️ Multiple seating zones including sofas suitable for sleeping

The honest note on the full layover: nearly eight hours is a long time regardless of how good the lounge is. The lounge is open 24 hours and well-maintained, but some reviews note it can get busy and noisy during peak periods. The key practical tips: hit the shower immediately on arrival, eat, find a quiet corner with a proper sofa, and use the time to sleep before your short domestic hop. By the time boarding starts for AlUla, you’ll be in reasonable shape. The international Al-Fursan Lounge (Terminal 1, near gate A26) is the showpiece version — a grand space with a live cooking station, a robotic beverage server that reportedly tours one of the breakout areas, a piano in the atrium, and a first-class side for Al-Fursan Gold members. If your connection timing allows, this one is worth experiencing.

Leg two – SV1630 Jeddah to AlUla on the Airbus A321-200

The second leg is a completely different experience and it’s worth knowing what you’re boarding before you get there. Flight SV1630 departs Jeddah at 12:05 PM on an Airbus A321-200 — a narrowbody aircraft — and arrives at AlUla International Airport (ULH) at 1:20 PM. Flight time: 1 hour 15 minutes.

Business class on a domestic A321-200 is a different category from what you just flew for 11 hours. You’re looking at a standard narrowbody cabin with a business class section that has wider seats and more legroom than economy, often with a blocked middle seat for extra space. The vlog covers this at 30:32 and gives a realistic look at what a domestic Saudi business class hop actually is — comfortable, fine, entirely functional, but not the same product as the international longhaul configuration. For a 75-minute flight following a nearly-12-hour overnight Dreamliner sector, it’s all you need.

AlUla International Airport is small and straightforward. Landing at 1:20 PM and clearing arrivals is quick. The vlog shows the transfer to the desert resort starting at 35:30 — the 50-minute drive from the airport to Our Habitas AlUla is itself part of the experience, moving through the canyon landscape that makes this region so extraordinary. It connects directly to the resort coverage in the AlUla article.

The full route at a glance

• 🛫 MNL – JED (SV871): Boeing 787-10, business class, 11h 30m, departing 9:40 PM arriving 4:10 AM
• ⏳ Jeddah layover: 7h 55m, Al-Fursan Domestic Lounge access included
• 🛫 JED – ULH (SV1630): Airbus A321-200, business class, 1h 15m, departing 12:05 PM arriving 1:20 PM
• ⏱️ Total journey time: 20 hours 40 minutes
• 💵 Total fare: 8,131 SAR / approximately $2,168 USD

Let’s talk about the price and the points angle

$2,168 USD for the full journey — Manila to AlUla in business class with a Jeddah connection — is a fare that requires some context. For an 11.5-hour overnight long-haul business class flight with lie-flat beds and the Jeddah lounge access built in, this is genuinely competitive pricing by international standards. For reference, comparable long-haul business class routes on top carriers often start significantly higher.

How to make it cheaper or smarter:

• Al-Fursan miles on Saudia flights — the AlFursan program uses a fixed zone-based award chart, not dynamic pricing. This means predictable redemption rates and genuine value potential. Business class between Asia/Southeast Asia and Jeddah runs at rates where the right accumulation of miles can cut your out-of-pocket costs substantially. Redeeming for the long-haul leg specifically (Manila-Jeddah) is where you’ll find the best cents-per-mile value
• Flying Blue (Air France-KLM) — as a SkyTeam member, Saudia flights can be booked using Flying Blue miles, which are transferable from Amex Membership Rewards, Capital One, and other major programs. This is often cited as one of the better partner booking options for Saudia business class for travelers outside Saudi Arabia
• Virgin Atlantic Flying Club — another SkyTeam transfer partner accessible from Amex, Bilt, Chase, Capital One, and Citi points. This program has been used for excellent-value Saudia business class bookings and the transfer accessibility is broad
• Book 6-9 months in advance for best availability on award seats — Saudia’s award inventory opens earlier than many airlines and availability on the long-haul routes tends to be better than you’d expect from a mid-size carrier
• Bid upgrades — Saudia’s “My Upgrades” portal allows economy passengers to bid for business class upgrades, and success rates are reportedly solid if you’re price-sensitive and flexible on outcome

The honest caveat on the Al-Fursan program for non-Saudi travelers: earning miles is harder without the Saudi-market credit card ecosystem. The best strategy for most travelers is using a transferable points card (Amex, Chase, Capital One) and routing through Flying Blue or Virgin Atlantic Flying Club to access Saudia award space rather than building AlFursan miles directly.

Best time to book this route: November through April for the best combination of weather at the AlUla destination and operational normalcy. The Manila-Jeddah route operates year-round but demand peaks around Hajj and Umrah pilgrimage seasons (dates shift annually per the Islamic calendar) when award availability tightens and cash fares rise. Booking outside pilgrimage peak periods gives you better access to business class award space and more competitive cash fares.

Frequently asked questions

📹 Video by ST Travel – all video content belongs to the original creator. This article was written independently to provide additional flight and destination information for viewers.