View source for Saudia

{{Short description|Flag carrier of Saudi Arabia; based in Jeddah}}
{{For|the protist genus or the politician|Saudia (foraminifera)|Saudia LaMont}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=August 2025}}
{{Infobox airline
| airline = Saudia <br /> {{nobold|{{lang|ar|السعودية}}}}
| logo = Logo of Saudia.svg
| logo_size = 160
| image = HZ-ARB@PKX (20250518162610).jpg
| caption = Saudia [[Boeing 787 Dreamliner|Boeing 787-9]] in the 2024 National Day livery
| destinations = [[List of Saudia destinations|148]]<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.ch-aviation.com/portal/airline/UDI | title=Saudia on ch-aviation.com | website=ch-aviation.com | access-date= 21 November 2023}}</ref>
| image_size = 250
| IATA = SV
| ICAO = SVA
| callsign = SAUDIA
| parent = {{ubl|class=nowrap
  | Saudia Group 
  | [[Politics of Saudi Arabia|Government of Saudi Arabia]]}}
| founded = {{start date and age|1945|09|27|df=yes}}
| num_employees = 
| headquarters = [[Jeddah]], Saudi Arabia
| key_people = {{bulleted list|
  | Engr. [[Saleh bin Nasser Al-Jasser]] ([[chairman]])
  | Engr. Ibrahim bin Abdulrahaman Al-Omar ([[director general]])<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.news1.news/sa/2019/10/saudi-airlines-entrusts-sami-sindi-with-the-duties-of-the-general-manager.html/ |title=Saudi Airlines entrusts Sami Sindi with the duties of the General Manager |work=News1 |access-date=28 October 2019 |archive-date=28 October 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191028104944/https://www.news1.news/sa/2019/10/saudi-airlines-entrusts-sami-sindi-with-the-duties-of-the-general-manager.html/ |url-status=dead }}</ref>
}}
| aoc = 
| hubs = {{ubl|class=nowrap
  | [[King Abdulaziz International Airport|Jeddah]]
  | [[King Khalid International Airport|Riyadh]]}}
| secondary_hubs = 
| focus_cities = {{nowrap|[[Prince Mohammad bin Abdulaziz International Airport|Medina]]}}
| frequent_flyer = Al-Fursan Loyalty
| alliance = [[SkyTeam]]
| fleet_size = 157 (2025)
| subsidiaries = {{ubl|class=nowrap
  | [[Flyadeal]]
  | [[Saudia Cargo]]}}
| website = {{url|https://www.saudia.com/|saudia.com}}
}}

'''Saudia''' ({{langx|ar|السعودية|translit=as-Suʿūdiyyah}}), formerly known as '''Saudi Arabian Airlines''' ({{langx|ar|الخطوط الجوية العربية السعودية|translit=al-Ḫuṭūṭ al-Jawwiyyah al-ʿArabiyyah as-Suʿūdiyyah}}), is the [[flag carrier]] of [[Saudi Arabia]] based in [[Jeddah]].<ref>{{cite news|last1=Hofmann |first1=Kurt |title=Saudia outlines 2017 fleet delivery plan |url=http://atwonline.com/airframes/saudia-outlines-2017-fleet-delivery-plan |publisher=[[Air Transport World]] |date=20 January 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170121143314/http://atwonline.com/airframes/saudia-outlines-2017-fleet-delivery-plan |archive-date=21 January 2017 |quote=Saudi Arabia's national carrier Saudia will take delivery of 30 aircraft this year, according to a Jan. 17 statement. |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url= http://investing.businessweek.com/research/stocks/private/snapshot.asp?privcapId=31109806 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20130605150811/http://investing.businessweek.com/research/stocks/private/snapshot.asp?privcapId=31109806 |url-status= dead |archive-date= 5 June 2013 |title=Saudi Arabian Airlines Ground Services Company: Private Company Information|work=Businessweek|access-date=3 September 2012}}</ref> The airline's main hubs are the [[King Abdulaziz International Airport]] in [[Jeddah]] and the [[King Khalid International Airport]] in [[Riyadh]], the latter of which it plans to move out of by 2030.<ref>{{Cite news |date=21 March 2024 |title=Saudia Set to Move Out of Riyadh to Make Room for New Airline |url=https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2024-03-21/saudia-set-to-move-out-of-riyadh-to-make-room-for-new-airline |access-date=27 April 2024 |work=Bloomberg.com |language=en}}</ref>

Saudia serves the [[Middle East]] market, and operates scheduled domestic and international flights to over 100 destinations in the Africa, Asia, Europe and North America. [[Charter flight]]s are operated mostly during the [[Ramadan]] and the [[Hajj]] seasons. It has been part of the [[SkyTeam]] airline alliance since 29 May 2012, making it the first carrier from the Middle East to join SkyTeam [[airline alliance]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://news.klm.com/saudia-treedt-toe-tot-skyteam-en/?utm_source=|title=Saudia Joins SkyTeam|publisher=KLM News|date=29 May 2012}}</ref> Saudia is a founding member of the [[Arab Air Carriers' Organization]] having joined in 1965.<ref>{{cite web|title=Member Airlines|url=http://aaco.org/aaco-community/member-airlines|access-date=30 December 2020|website=AACO|language=en}}</ref>

==History==
{{More citations needed section|date=July 2024}}

===Early years===
[[File:Boeing 707-368C HZ-ACD Saudi LAP 18.05.69 edited-3.jpg|thumb|Saudi Arabian Airlines [[Boeing 707]] in 1969]]
When U.S. President [[Franklin Delano Roosevelt]] presented a [[Douglas DC-3]] as a gift to [[King Abdul Aziz Ibn Saud]] in 1945, the event marked the kingdom's gradual development of civil aviation. The nation's [[flag carrier]], Saudia, was founded as Saudi Arabian Airlines in September 1945<ref>{{cite web|title=Economy and Infrastructure|url=http://www.saudiembassy.net/files/PDF/Brochures/DFS_Economy_and_Infrastructure.pdf |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100524132139/http://www.saudiembassy.net/files/PDF/Brochures/DFS_Economy_and_Infrastructure.pdf |archive-date=24 May 2010 |url-status=live|publisher=Saudi Embassy|access-date=5 September 2014}}</ref> as a fully owned government agency under the control of the Ministry of Defense, with [[Trans World Airlines|Trans World Airlines (TWA)]] running the airline under a management contract.

The now-demolished [[Kandara Airport|Al-Kandara Airport]], close to Jeddah, was the flag carrier's main base. Among the airline's early operations was a special flight from Lydda ([[Lod]]) in [[Palestine (region)|Palestine]] (today in Israel, site of [[Ben-Gurion International Airport]]), a [[Mandatory Palestine|British Mandate]] at that time, to carry Hajj pilgrims to Jeddah. The airline used five DC-3 aircraft to launch scheduled operations on the Jeddah-Riyadh-Hofuf-Dhahran route in March 1947. Its first international service was between Jeddah and Cairo. Service to [[Beirut]], [[Karachi]]<ref>{{cite news|title=Events of Interest in Aviation World|url=https://www.proquest.com/docview/112368056|access-date=22 January 2021|work=The New York Times|date=15 January 1952|id={{ProQuest|112368056}}}}</ref> and [[Damascus]] followed in early 1948. The first of five [[Bristol 170]]s was received the following year. These aircraft offered the airline the flexibility of carrying both passengers and cargo.<ref>{{cite magazine |last=Cross |first=Lee |date=14 March 2023 |title=3/14/1947: Saudia Takes to the Skies |url= https://airwaysmag.com/saudia-takes-to-the-skies-2/ |magazine=Airways Magazine |location=[[Dallas]] |publisher=Airways Publishing, LLC |access-date=8 October 2023}}</ref>

In 1962, the airline took delivery of two [[Boeing 720]]s, becoming the fourth Middle Eastern airline to fly jet aircraft after [[Middle East Airlines]] and [[Cyprus Airways]] with the [[de Havilland Comet]] in 1960 and [[El Al]] with the [[Boeing 707]] in 1961.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.centennialofflight.gov/essay/Commercial_Aviation/ElAl/Tran25.htm|title=Commercial Aviation|website=centennialofflight.gov|access-date=29 May 2017}}</ref> On 19 February 1963, the airline became a registered company, with [[Faisal bin Abdul Aziz|King Faisal of Saudi Arabia]] signing the papers that declared Saudia a fully independent company. [[Douglas DC-6|DC-6]]s and [[Boeing 707]]s were later bought, and the airline joined the AACO, the [[Arab Air Carriers' Organization]]. Services were started to [[Frankfurt Airport|Frankfurt]], [[Geneva]], [[Khartoum]], [[Heathrow Airport|London]], [[Mumbai]], [[Rabat]], [[Sharjah (city)|Sharjah]], [[Tehran]], [[Tripoli, Libya|Tripoli]], and [[Tunis]].

[[File:Lockheed L-1011-385-1-15 TriStar 200, Saudia - Saudi Arabian Airlines AN0213092.jpg|thumb|Saudi Arabian Airlines [[Lockheed L-1011 TriStar]] in 1987]]

In the 1970s, a new livery was introduced. It comprised a white fuselage with green and blue stripes and a green tailfin. The carrier's name was changed to ''Saudia'' on 1 April 1972. [[Boeing 737]]s and [[Fokker F-28]]s were bought, with the 737s replacing the [[Douglas DC-9]]. The airline operated its first [[Boeing 747]] service in 1977 when three jumbo jets were leased from [[Middle East Airlines]] and deployed in the [[Heathrow Airport|London]] sector. The first all-cargo flights between Saudi Arabia and Europe were started, and [[Lockheed L-1011]]s and [[Fairchild Hiller FH-227|Fairchild FH-27]]s were introduced. New services, including the ''Arabian Express'' 'no reservation shuttle flights' between Jeddah and Riyadh. The Special Flight Services (SFS) was set up as a special unit of Saudia and operates special flights for [[Saudi royal family|the royal family]] and government agencies. Service was also started to [[Kano (city)|Kano]], [[Muscat, Oman|Muscat]], [[Paris]], [[Rome]], and [[Stockholm]]. The Pan Am/Saudia joint service between [[Dhahran]] and [[New York City]] began in 1979.<ref>{{cite magazine |last= Mahmoud|first=Marwa |date= 29 October 2022|title= Intercontinental For 77 Years: The History of Saudia Airlines|url= https://www.leaders-mena.com/intercontinental-for-77-years-the-history-of-saudia-airlines/ |magazine= Leaders Mena Magazine|location= |publisher=Leaders |access-date=8 October 2023}}</ref>

[[File:Saudi Arabian Airlines Boeing 747SP Maiwald.jpg|thumb|Saudi Arabian Airlines [[Boeing 747SP]] in 1989]]

In the 1980s, services such as Saudia Catering began. Flights were started to [[Amsterdam]], [[Athens]], [[Baghdad]], [[Bangkok]], [[Brussels]], [[Colombo]], [[Dakar]], [[Delhi]], [[Dhaka]], [[Islamabad]], [[Jakarta]], [[Kuala Lumpur]], [[Lahore]], [[Madrid]], [[Manila]], [[Mogadishu]], [[Nairobi]], [[New York City]], [[Nice]], [[Seoul]], [[Singapore]], and [[Taipei]]. ''Horizon Class'', a [[business class]] service, was established to offer enhanced service. Cargo hubs were built in Brussels and Taipei. [[Airbus A300]]s, [[Boeing 747]]s, and [[Cessna]] Citations were also added to the fleet, the Citations for the SFS service. On 1 July 1982, the first nonstop service from [[Jeddah]] to [[New York City]] was initiated with Boeing 747SP aircraft. This was followed by a Riyadh-New York route. In 1989, services to [[Larnaca]] and [[Addis Ababa]] began.

[[File:Saudia Boeing 737-200 Davey.jpg|thumb|Saudi Arabian Airlines [[Boeing 737-200]] in 1995]]

In the 1990s, services to Orlando, Chennai, Asmara, Washington, D.C., Johannesburg, Alexandria, Milan, Málaga (seasonal), and Sana'a (resumption) were introduced. [[Boeing 777]]s, [[MD-90]]s, and [[McDonnell Douglas MD-11|MD-11]]s were introduced. New female [[flight attendant]] uniforms designed by [[Adnan Akbar]] were introduced. A new corporate identity was launched on 16 July 1996, featuring a [[sand]] colored [[fuselage]] with contrasting dark blue tailfin, the center of which featured a stylized representation of the [[House of Saud]] crest. The Saudia name was dropped in the identity revamp, with the full Saudi Arabian Airlines name used.

===Development (2000s–2020s)===
On 8 October 2000, Prince [[Sultan bin Abdulaziz Al Saud]], the Saudi [[Minister of Defense and Aviation]], signed a contract to conduct studies for the [[privatization]] of Saudi Arabian Airlines. In preparation for this, the airline was restructured to allow non-core units—including Saudia catering, [[ground handling services]] and maintenance as well as the [[Prince Sultan Aviation Academy]] in Jeddah—to be transformed into commercial units and profit centers. In April 2005, the Saudi government indicated that the airline may also lose its monopoly on domestic services.<ref>{{Cite news|title=Embraer wins $400m Saudi jet deal|work=BBC News|date=28 March 2006|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/business/4483253.stm|access-date=27 September 2010}}</ref>

In 2006, Saudia began the process of dividing itself into [[Strategic Business Unit]]s (SBU); the catering unit was the first to be privatized.<ref>{{cite web|title=Saudi Air {{sic|Lau|ches|nolink=y}} Privatization With Catering Unit|url=http://news.airwise.com/story/view/1155513143.html|access-date=14 September 2007|archive-date=3 March 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120303171129/http://news.airwise.com/story/view/1155513143.html|url-status=dead}}</ref> In August 2007, Saudi Arabia's [[Politics of Saudi Arabia#National government|Council of Ministers]] approved the conversion of strategic units into companies. It is planned that ground services, technical services, [[air cargo]] and the [[Prince Sultan Aviation Academy]], medical division, as well as the catering unit, will become subsidiaries of a holding company.<ref>{{cite web|title=Saudi cabinet okays Saudi Arabian Airlines privatisation|date=29 August 2007 |url=http://www.domain-b.com/aero/Aug/2007/20070829_airlines.htm|access-date=14 September 2007}}</ref>

The airline rebranded to its former brand name ''Saudia'' (used from 1972 to 1996) on 29 May 2012, dropping the Saudi Arabian Airlines branding entirely; the name was changed to celebrate the company's entry into the [[SkyTeam]] airline alliance on that day, and it was part of a larger [[rebranding]] initiative.<ref name="arabianaerospace.aero">{{cite web|url=http://www.arabianaerospace.aero/saudia-plays-the-name-game-joins-the-alliance-and-gets-privatisation-rolling.html |title=Arabian Aerospace{{Snd}} Saudia plays the name game, joins the alliance and gets privatisation rolling|work=Arabian Aerospace|date=29 May 2012|access-date=28 January 2013}}</ref>

Saudia received 64 new aircraft by the end of 2012 (six from [[Boeing]] and 58 from [[Airbus]]). Another eight [[Boeing 787|Boeing 787-9]] aircraft started to join the fleet in 2015.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.saudiairlines.com/portal/site/saudiairlines/menuitem.d9a467d070ca6c65173ff63dc8f034a0/?vgnextoid=fdab9f6412852110VgnVCM1000008c0f430aRCRD|title=Our Fleet|access-date=24 April 2015}}</ref>

[[File:HZ-AK43 (43663083172).jpg|thumb|Saudia [[Boeing 777]] decorated in a special livery to commemorate the [[Saudi Arabia national football team]] (nicknamed the 'Green Falcons') in 2018]]
In April 2016, Saudia announced the creation of a [[low-cost carrier|low-cost]] subsidiary named [[Flyadeal]]. The airline was launched as part of Saudia Group's SV 2020 Transformation Strategy, which intends to transform the group's units into world-class organisations by 2020. Flyadeal, which serves domestic and regional destinations, began operating in mid 2017.<ref>{{cite news |last=Hanware |first=Khalil |date=19 April 2016 |title=Flyadeal's launch puts Saudia at higher altitude |url=http://www.arabnews.com/economy/news/912581 |work=[[Arab News]] |location=Jeddah |access-date=20 April 2016}}</ref>

===Continued growth and new brand identity (2020s–present)===
[[File:HZ-ARE@PKX (20250620181416).jpg|thumb|Saudia Boeing 787-9 with 75th Anniversary livery at [[Beijing Daxing International Airport]]]]
In April 2021, Saudia announced that on 19 April, it will try the mobile app developed by the International Air Transport Association (IATA) that helps passengers manage their travel information and documents digitally.<ref>{{cite web|date=13 April 2021|title=Saudia Airlines to trial IATA travel pass on flights from Kuala Lumpur to Jeddah|url=https://arab.news/wwzpu|access-date=13 April 2021|website=Arab News|language=en}}</ref>

In December 2021, Saudia was in talks with the two major aircraft manufacturers [[Airbus]] and [[Boeing]] in purchasing new wide-body aircraft, the airline will decide in early 2022 whether it will order the [[Airbus A350]] or the [[Boeing 777X]], or it might purchase more [[Boeing 787 Dreamliner|Boeing 787s]] instead. The airline also chose the [[CFM International LEAP]] engine to power its [[Airbus A321neo|Airbus A321neos]] which are expected to be delivered in 2024. The airline plans to have 250 planes in its fleet by 2030.<ref>{{cite news |last=Fattah |first=Zainab |date= 15 November 2021|title=Saudia Weighs Bumper Jetliner Order to Reach 250-Strong Fleet |url=https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2021-11-15/saudia-planning-bumper-jetliner-order-to-reach-250-strong-fleet#xj4y7vzkg |work=[[Bloomberg News]] |location= |access-date=8 October 2023}}</ref>

In April 2022, services began to [[Seoul]], [[Beijing]], [[Batumi]], [[Mykonos]], [[Barcelona]], [[Málaga]], [[Bangkok]], [[Chicago]], [[Moscow]], [[Entebbe]] and [[Kyiv]]. Services to Kyiv are currently not operating due to the [[2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine]]. In June 2022, they resumed services to [[Zürich]]. In July 2022, Saudia signed a contract with the Air Connectivity Programme to launch four new destinations to Zürich, [[Barcelona]], [[Tunis]] and [[Kuala Lumpur]].

In March 2023, Saudia ordered 39 [[Boeing 787 Dreamliner|Boeing 787s]] split between the -9 and -10 variants, with options for a further ten aircraft.
[[file:Saudia Boeing 787 arriving at Birmingham-BHX January 2024.jpg|thumb|Saudia [[Boeing 787-10]] in 2024 in the newest livery]]
In September 2023, Saudia announced a brand and livery rebrand back to the 1970s design and logo. It also introduced a new travel AI assistant called "SAUDIA", using [[OpenAI]]'s [[GPT-4]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=This is how we fly |url=https://www.saudia.com/en-SA/thisishowwefly |access-date=1 October 2023 |website=Saudia}}</ref>

In January 2025, Saudia announced that the airline will be relocating its [[London]] to [[Neom Bay Airport|Neom]] route from [[Heathrow Airport|Heathrow]] to [[Gatwick Airport|Gatwick]]. The Heathrow route utilized larger [[Boeing 787 Dreamliner|Boeing 787-9]] aircraft whereas Gatwick enables the airline to introduce smaller [[Airbus A320 family|Airbus A320]] aircraft, thus aligning capacity with demand and optimizing the airline's operational efficiency.<ref>{{Cite web |title=News for Airlines, Airports and the Aviation Industry |url=https://centreforaviation.com/news/saudia-to-relocate-neom-bay-london-heathrow-service-to-london-gatwick-from-mar-2025-1298390 |access-date=12 January 2025 |website=CAPA }}</ref>

== Awards ==
Saudia was named the World's Most Improved Airline for 2017 and 2020 by [[Skytrax|SkyTrax]].<ref>{{cite web |last=Drum |first=Bruce |date=29 September 2021 |title=Skytrax awards Saudia the "world's most improved airline" in 2021 |url=https://worldairlinenews.com/2021/09/29/skytrax-awards-saudia-the-worlds-most-improved-airline-in-2021/ |access-date=5 July 2022 |website=World Airline News |language=en}}</ref>

== Sponsorships ==
[[File:1978 Williams-Ford FW06 Goodwood, 2009.JPG|thumb|Saudia sponsorships on a 1978 [[Williams FW06]] being demonstrated at the 2009 [[Goodwood Festival of Speed]]]] 
Saudia was the main sponsor of the [[Williams Grand Prix Engineering|Williams]] [[Formula One]] team from 1977 to 1984. During this period Williams won the [[List of Formula One World Constructors' Champions|Constructors' Championship]] twice ({{f1|1980}} and {{f1|1981}}), and two Williams drivers won the [[List of Formula One World Drivers' Champions|Drivers' Championship]]: [[Alan Jones (racing driver)|Alan Jones]] in {{f1|1980}} and [[Keke Rosberg]] in {{f1|1982}}.

Saudia was the main sponsor of the 2018 and 2019 [[Diriyah ePrix]]. They are the official airline of [[Formula E]], with one of their planes, a [[Boeing 777-300ER]], painted in a special livery featuring an eagle head with the [[Spark SRT05e]] Gen2 car behind it.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.fiaformulae.com/en/news/7746/formula-e-signs-saudi-arabian-airlines-as-official-airline-partner|title=Formula E Signs Saudi Arabian Airlines As Official Airline Partner|date=25 September 2018|access-date=23 March 2023|work=ABB FIA Formula E}}</ref><ref>{{Cite press release|url=https://www.saudia.com/experience/about-us/corporate-communication/press-releases-and-news/news-archives/press-release-03122018|title=SAUDIA REVEALS FORMULA E GEN2 CAR AIRCRAFT DESIGN|work=Saudia|date=3 December 2018|access-date=23 March 2023}}</ref>

In November 2022, [[Newcastle United F.C.|Newcastle United]] announced Saudia as the club’s official tour airline partner.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Mahadik |first=Gauresh |date=18 November 2022 |title=Newcastle United land sponsorship deal with SAUDIA |url=https://sportsmintmedia.com/newcastle-united-land-sponsorship-deal-with-saudia/ |access-date= |website=SportsMint Media |language=en-US}}</ref>

In March 2023, [[Aston Martin in Formula One|Aston Martin F1 Team]] announced Saudia as the team's official global airline partner in a multi-year deal.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Brittle |first=Cian |date=14 March 2023 |title=Aston Martin name Saudia as global airline sponsor |url=https://www.sportspromedia.com/news/aston-martin-f1-saudia-airline-sponsor/ |access-date= |website=SportsPro |language=en-GB}}</ref>

==Destinations==
{{Main|List of Saudia destinations}}

{{see also|Saudia Cargo#Destinations}}
[[File:Jeddah - King Abdulaziz International (JED - OEJN) AN1219204.jpg|thumb|[[King Abdulaziz International Airport]] in [[Jeddah]], Saudia's primary hub]]
Saudia operates to 148 destinations as of September 2025. The airline plans to reach 250 destinations by 2030.

===Codeshare agreements===
Saudia has [[codeshare agreement]]s with [[SkyTeam]] partners and with the following airlines:<ref name="CAPA Saudia profile">{{cite web|url=http://centreforaviation.com/profiles/airlines/saudia-sv |title=Profile on Saudia |website=CAPA|publisher=Centre for Aviation|access-date=31 October 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161031214728/http://centreforaviation.com/profiles/airlines/saudia-sv |archive-date=31 October 2016|url-status=live}}</ref>

{{div col|colwidth=20em}}
* [[Aegean Airlines]]<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.aeroroutes.com/eng/240429-a3svcodeshare |title=AEGEAN AIRLINES / SAUDIA BEGINS CODESHARE SERVICE FROM MAY 2024}}</ref>
* [[Aeroflot]]<ref>{{cite press release|url=https://www.aeroflot.ru/ru-en/news/53407|title=Aeroflot and Saudia Announce Codeshare Agreement|publisher=Aeroflot|date=25 August 2015|access-date=25 May 2022|archive-date=27 November 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221127023820/https://www.aeroflot.ru/ru-en/news/53407|url-status=dead}}</ref>
* [[Aerolíneas Argentinas]]<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.aeroroutes.com/eng/240923-arsvcodeshare|title=Aerolíneas Argentinas / Saudia plans codeshare service from late-Sep 2024|date=23 September 2024|website=aeroroutes.com}}</ref>
* [[Air France]]<ref>{{cite press release|url=https://www.saudia.com/experience/about-us/corporate-communication/press-releases-and-news/news-archives/Saudi-Airlines-and-Air-France-to-sign-a-codeshare-agreement|title=SAUDI AIRLINES AND AIR FRANCE TO SIGN A CODESHARE AGREEMENT|publisher=Saudia|date=21 February 2011}}</ref>
* [[Air Mauritius]]<ref>{{cite web|title=Air Mauritius begins Saudia codeshare partnership from mid-Jan 2024|url=https://www.aeroroutes.com/eng/240126-mksvcodeshare|website=aeroroutes.com|access-date=26 January 2024}}</ref>
* [[China Eastern Airlines]]<ref>{{cite web|title=Saudia Expands China Eastern Codeshare in 1Q25|url=https://www.aeroroutes.com/eng/250106-svmucodeshare}}</ref> 
* [[Delta Air Lines]]<ref>{{cite web|url=https://news.delta.com/delta-signs-codeshare-agreement-saudia|title=Delta signs codeshare agreement with Saudia|publisher=Delta Air Lines|date=2 October 2024}}</ref>
* [[Etihad Airways]]<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.routesonline.com/news/38/airlineroute/280907/etihad-saudia-plans-codeshare-partnership-from-late-oct-2018/|title=Etihad / Saudia plans codeshare partnership from late-Oct 2018|publisher=Routesonline|date=9 October 2018}}</ref>
* [[Ethiopian Airlines]]<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.aeroroutes.com/eng/230403-svet|title=ETHIOPIAN AIRLINES / SAUDIA BEGINS CODESHARE PARTNERSHIP FROM MID-MARCH 2023|publisher=Aeroroutes|date=3 April 2023}}</ref>
* [[Flyadeal]]<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.aeroroutes.com/eng/230927-svf3codeshare|title=SAUDIA / FLYADEAL BEGINS CODESHARE SERVICE FROM LATE-SEP 2023|publisher=Aeroroutes|date=27 September 2023}}</ref>
* [[Garuda Indonesia]]<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.routesonline.com/news/38/airlineroute/280437/saudia-expands-garuda-indonesia-codeshare-to-australia-from-sep-2018/|title=Saudia expands Garuda Indonesia codeshare to Australia from Sep 2018|publisher=Routesonline|date=7 September 2018}}</ref>
* [[Gulf Air]]<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.arabnews.com/node/1848666/business-economy|title=Saudia Airlines activates codeshare agreement with Gulf Air|publisher=Arab News|date=25 April 2021}}</ref>
* [[ITA Airways]]<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.ita-airways.com/en_gb/fly-ita/ita-world/network.html|title=The Network|website=ITA Airways|access-date=19 November 2022|archive-date=22 September 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220922005220/https://www.ita-airways.com/en_gb/fly-ita/ita-world/network.html|url-status=dead}}</ref>
* [[Kenya Airways]]
* [[Korean Air]]<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.routesonline.com/news/38/airlineroute/277588/korean-air-saudia-resumes-codeshare-service-from-march-2018/|title=Korean Air / Saudia resumes codeshare service from March 2018|publisher=Routesonline|date=14 March 2018}}</ref>
* [[KLM]]
* [[Kuwait Airways]]
* [[Malaysia Airlines]]<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.nst.com.my/news/nation/2022/12/863342/malaysia-airlines-saudi-airlines-announce-codesharing-agreement|title=Malaysia Airlines, Saudi Airlines announce codesharing agreement|publisher=New Straits Times|date=22 December 2022}}</ref>
* [[Middle East Airlines]]
* [[Oman Air]]
* [[Philippine Airlines]]<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.aeroroutes.com/eng/250121-svprcodeshare|title=Saudia/Philippine Airlines begins codeshare service in 1Q25|publisher=AeroRoutes|date=21 January 2025}}</ref>
* [[Royal Air Maroc]]
* [[Scandinavian Airlines]]
* [[Vietnam Airlines]]<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.vietnamairlines.com/vn/vi/lotusmile/earn-miles/claim-miles|title=Yêu cầu cộng dặm|website=Vietnam Airlines|language=vi}}</ref>
{{Div col end}}

==Fleet==
===Current fleet===
[[File:Saudia, HZ-AS62, Airbus A320-214 (47585097882).jpg|thumb|Saudia [[Airbus A320#A320-200|Airbus A320-200]]]]
[[File:Saudia (Saudi National Day Livery), HZ-AQE, Airbus A330-343 (44574961504).jpg|thumb|Saudia [[Airbus A330#A330-300|Airbus A330-300]] in the special [[Saudi National Day]] livery]]
[[File:Saudia (Ad-Diriyah E-Prix Livery), HZ-AK43, Boeing 777-368 ER (49596796563).jpg|thumb|Saudia [[Boeing 777#777-300ER|Boeing 777-300ER]] in the special [[Formula E]] livery]]
{{As of|2025|9}}, Saudia operates the following aircraft:<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.saudia.com/experience/about-us/our-fleet|title=OUR FLEET|website=26 Saudia}}</ref><ref name="AirbusOrd&Del">{{cite web |date= |title=Airbus Orders & Deliveries |url=https://www.airbus.com/aircraft/market/orders-deliveries.html |access-date=8 October 2025 |work=[[Airbus]]}}</ref><ref name=":0">{{cite web |title=Boeing Orders and Deliveries Report |url=https://www.boeing.com/commercial#orders-deliveries |url-status= |archive-url= |archive-date= |access-date=8 October 2025}}</ref>

{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center; margin:1em auto;"
|+ Saudia fleet
|-
! rowspan="2" | Aircraft
! rowspan="2" | In service
! rowspan="2" | Orders
! colspan="4" | Passengers 
! rowspan="2" | Notes
|- 
!<abbr title="First Class">F</abbr>
!<abbr title="Business Class">J</abbr>
!<abbr title="Economy Class">Y</abbr>
!Total
|-
| rowspan="2" |[[Airbus A320-200]]
| rowspan="2" |37
| rowspan="2" |&mdash;
| rowspan="2" |&mdash;
|12
|132
|144
| rowspan="2" |
|-
|20
|90
|110
|-
|[[Airbus A321-200]]
|15
|&mdash;
|&mdash;
|20
|145
|165
|
|-
|[[Airbus A321neo]]
|12<ref>{{Cite web |date=31 July 2025 |title=Saudia receives new Airbus A321neo aircraft |url=https://www.argaam.com/en/article/articledetail/id/1832225 |access-date=5 August 2025 |website=Argaam}}</ref>
|62
|&mdash;
|20
|168
|188
|<ref name=":1">{{Cite web |date=20 May 2024 |title=Saudia Group orders 105 A320/A321neo |url=https://www.ch-aviation.com/news/140444-saudia-group-orders-105-a320a321neo |website=ch-aviation.com}}</ref>
|-
|[[Airbus A321XLR]]
|&mdash;
|15
| colspan="4" |<abbr title="To Be Announced">TBA</abbr>
|<ref name="flightglobal.com">{{cite web |last=Kaminski-Morrow |first=David |date=18 June 2019 |title=PARIS: Saudia takes A321XLR as part of extra Airbus deal |url=https://www.flightglobal.com/fleets/paris-saudia-takes-a321xlr-as-part-of-extra-airbus-deal/133192.article |website=Flight Global}}</ref><ref name=":1" />
|-
| rowspan="3" |[[Airbus A330-300]]
| rowspan="3" |31
| rowspan="3" |&mdash; 
| rowspan="3" |&mdash;
| rowspan="2" |36
|262
|298
| rowspan="3" |
|-
|252
|288
|-
|30
|300
|330
|-
|[[Boeing 777-200ER]]
|2
|&mdash;
|&mdash;
|6
|394
|400
|Leased from [[Air Atlanta Europe]].
|-
| rowspan="5" |[[Boeing 777-300ER]]
| rowspan="5" |37
| rowspan="5" |&mdash;
|12
|36
|242
|290
| rowspan="4" |2 in VIP configuration.
|-
| rowspan="4" |&mdash;
| rowspan="2" |30
|351
|381
|-
|383
|413
|-
|12
|393
|405
|-
|14
|478
|492
|2 <abbr>leased from</abbr> Air Atlanta Europe.
|-
|[[Boeing 787-9]]
|13
|18
|&mdash;
|24
|274
|298
| rowspan="2" |Order with 10 options.<ref name="sv787">{{cite web |date=14 March 2023 |title=SAUDIA to Grow Long-Haul Fleet with up to 49 Boeing 787 Dreamliners |url=https://boeing.mediaroom.com/2023-03-14-SAUDIA-to-Grow-Long-Haul-Fleet-with-up-to-49-Boeing-787-Dreamliners |access-date=14 March 2023 |website=Boeing}}</ref>
|-
|[[Boeing 787-10]]
|8
|21
|&mdash;
|24
|333
|357<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.routesonline.com/news/38/airlineroute/285811/saudia-temporary-files-boeing-787-10-service-in-s20/|title=Saudia temporary files Boeing 787-10 service in S20|website=Routesonline|language=en-GB|access-date=12 August 2019}}</ref>
|-
!Total
!155
!116
! colspan="5" |
|}
{{clear}}

===Historic fleet===
[[File:Saudi_Arabian_Airlines_Convair_340_Quackenbush.jpg|thumb|Saudia [[Convair 340]] in 1959]]
[[File:Saudi Arabian Airlines L-1011-200 HZ-AHE LHR 1985-5-17.png|thumb|Saudia [[Lockheed L-1011]] in 1985]]
[[File:HZ-APF (8016935735).jpg|thumb|Saudia [[McDonnell Douglas MD-90-30]] in 2008]]
[[File:Saudi Arabian Airlines TF-AAD (7857764738).jpg|thumb|Saudia [[Boeing 747-400]] leased from [[Air Atlanta Icelandic]] in 2012]]
Saudia formerly operated the following aircraft:{{Citation needed|date=September 2024}}
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center; margin:1em auto;"
|+ Fleet history
|- 
! Aircraft
! Total
! Introduced
! Retired
! Notes
|-
|[[Airbus A300-600]]
|11
|1984
|2008
|Launch customer. 
|-
|[[Airbus A330-300]]
|1
|2017
|2023
|HZ-AQ30 destroyed as flight SV458 during [[2023 Sudan conflict]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=Hogg |first=Ryan |title=A Saudi Arabian airline said an A330 plane was involved in an 'accident' at Khartoum airport in Sudan |url=https://www.businessinsider.com/saudi-airline-involved-accident-airport-khartoum-sudan-2023-4 |access-date=31 August 2023 |website=Business Insider |language=en-US}}</ref>
|-
|[[Boeing 707-320]]
|{{Unknown}}
|1969
|1997
|
|-
|[[Boeing 720]]
|{{Unknown}}
|{{Unknown}}
|{{Unknown}}
|
|-
|[[Boeing 727-100]]
|1
|1976
|2000s
|Operated for Saudi Arabian Royal Flight.
|-
|[[Boeing 727-200]]
|{{Unknown}}
|{{Unknown}}
|{{Unknown}}
|
|-
|[[Boeing 737-200]]
|26
|1972
|2007
|
|-
|[[Boeing 747-100]]
|19
|1981
|2010
|
|-
|rowspan="2"|[[Boeing 747-100B]]
|7
|rowspan="2"|1979
|2012
|
|-
|1
|1996
|HZ-AIH crashed as [[Saudia Flight 763|flight SV763]].
|-
|[[Boeing 747-200F]]
|7
|1981
|2012
|
|-
|[[Boeing 747-300]]
|19
|1983
|2013
|Eighth aircraft stored.<br />First aircraft used as VIP/Government transport.
|-
|[[Boeing 747-300|Boeing 747-300SF]]
|1
|2014
|2015
|
|-
|[[Boeing 747-8F]]
|2
|2013
|2021
|Sub-leased to other operators.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.ch-aviation.com/portal/news/109225-saudia-disposes-of-its-two-b747-8-freighters|title=Saudia disposes of its two B747-8 freighters|website=Ch-Aviation|date=2 November 2021}}</ref>
|-
|[[Boeing 747SP]]
|2
|1981
|1992
|
|-
|[[Boeing 757-200]]
|10
|2008
|2011
|rowspan="3"|All fleets were leased.
|-
|[[Boeing 767-200ER]]
|5
|2003
|2012
|-
|[[Boeing 767-300ER]]
|6
|2012
|2012
|-
|[[Boeing 777-200ER]]
|23
|1997
|2019
|
|-
|[[Convair 340]]
|{{Unknown}}
|1960s
|1970s
|
|-
|[[Embraer ERJ-170]]
|15
|2005
|2016
|All aircraft stored.
|-
|[[Fokker F28]]
|2
|1980
|1986
|
|-
|rowspan="2"|[[Lockheed L-1011 Tristar|Lockheed L-1011-200]]
|17
|rowspan="2"|1975
|1998
|HZ-AHP is currently preserved at Riyadh Aviation Museum.
|-
|1
|1980
|HZ-AHK written off as [[Saudia Flight 163|flight SV163]].
|-
|[[Lockheed L-1011 Tristar|Lockheed L-1011-500]]
|2
|1970s
|{{Unknown}}
|Operated for Saudi Arabian Royal Flight.
|-
|[[Douglas DC-8|McDonnell Douglas DC-8 series]]
|37
|1977
|1998
|
|-
|[[McDonnell Douglas DC-10]]
|1
|1975
|1990s
|
|-
|[[McDonnell Douglas MD-11]]
|2
|1998
|2013
|Operated for Saudi Arabian Royal Flight.
|-
|[[McDonnell Douglas MD-11F]]
|4
|1998
|2014
|All aircraft stored.
|-
|[[McDonnell Douglas MD-90-30]]
|29
|1998
|2013
|Two aircraft stored.
|}
{{clear}}

===Other aircraft===
[[File:Saudi Arabian Government Boeing 747-468 HZ-HM1 at JFK Airport.jpg|thumb|Saudi Royal Flight [[Boeing 747-400]] parked at JFK Airport wearing its former livery, 2018. The above A340-200 is parked behind it.]]
Saudia Special Flight Services, VIP flights, and Private Aviation operate the following, several of which sport the airline's livery.

{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center;"
|+ Saudia Special Flight Service fleet{{citation needed|date=April 2023}}
|- 
! Aircraft
! Total
! Order
! Notes
|-
|[[Beechcraft Bonanza]]
|6
|—
|Used for flight training.
|-
|[[Dassault Falcon 900]]
|2
|—
|Used for government transport.
|-
|[[Dassault Falcon 7X]]
|4
|—
|Used for charter transport.
|-
|[[Gulfstream IV]]
|6
|—
|Used for government transport.
|-
|[[Hawker 400XP]]
|6
|—
|Used for government transport.
|}

{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center;"
|+ Saudia Royal Flight Division fleet{{citation needed|date=April 2023}}
|- 
! Aircraft
! Total
! Order
! Notes
|-
|[[Airbus Corporate Jet|Airbus ACJ318]]
|1
|&mdash;
|HZ-AS99.
|-
|rowspan="2"|[[Airbus A340|Airbus A340-200X]]
|1
|rowspan="2"|&mdash;
|Not in Saudia livery.
|-
|1
|
|-
|[[Boeing 747-300]]
|1
|&mdash;
|
|-
|[[Boeing 747-400]]
|1
|&mdash;
|Not in Saudia livery.
|-
|[[Boeing 757-200]]
|1
|&mdash;
|Used for flying to hospital.
|-
|[[Boeing 777-300ER]]
|1
|&mdash;
|Not in Saudia livery.
|-
|[[Boeing 787 Dreamliner|Boeing 787-8]]
|2
|&mdash;
|Not in Saudia livery.
|}

Some military [[C-130]]s are also painted with the Saudia colors and are flown by [[Royal Saudi Air Force]] crews to support Saudi official activities in the region and Europe. Since 2017, two mobile escalators (TEC Hünert MFT 500-01<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.paddleyourownkanoo.com/2018/06/11/how-have-we-never-heard-of-these-before-mobile-aircraft-escalator-steps-for-the-most-elite-flyers/ | title=How Have We Never Heard of These Before? Mobile Aircraft Escalator Steps for the Most Elite Flyers | date=11 June 2018 }}</ref>) travel with the King and transported by separate aircraft.

In 2021, the Saudi royal flight's single [[Boeing 747-400]] registered as HZ-HM1 was painted in a new livery.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://nypost.com/2017/10/06/saudi-king-brought-his-own-golden-escalator-on-russia-trip/ | title=Saudi king brought his own golden escalator on Russia trip | date=6 October 2017 }}</ref>

As of January 2022, all the Saudi royal flight aircraft were going to be operated by a private company, and all aircraft were to be painted in another livery.{{citation needed|date=September 2022}}

==In-flight services==
The [[inflight magazine]] of Saudia is called ''Ahlan Wasahlan'' ({{lang|ar|أهلاً وسهلاً}} "Hello and Welcome"). No [[alcoholic beverage]]s or [[pork]] are served on board in accordance with [[Islamic dietary laws]]. Select [[Airbus]] [[A320]], [[Airbus]] [[A330-300]], [[Boeing 787-9]], [[Boeing 787-10]], and [[Boeing 777-300ER]] aircraft are equipped with [[Wi-Fi]] and mobile network connectivity on board. Most aircraft also offer onboard specialized prayer areas and a recorded prayer is played before takeoff.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.saudiairlines.com/portal/site/saudiairlines/menuitem.d9a467d070ca6c65173ff63dc8f034a0/?vgnextoid=f07bef9230762310VgnVCM100000d59618acRCRD|title=Mobile & WiFi|access-date=24 April 2015}}</ref>

==Incidents and accidents==
* On 25 September 1959, a Saudia [[Douglas DC-4|Douglas DC-4/C-54A-5-DO]] (registration HZ-AAF), performed a belly landing shortly after take-off from [[Jeddah International Airport (closed 1981)|Jeddah]]. The cause of the accident was gust locks not deactivated by the mechanic, followed by a stall. All 67 passengers and five crew members survived.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://aviation-safety.net/database/record.php?id=19590925-0 |title=Saudi Arabian Airlines DC-4 accident HZ-AAF |publisher=Aviation-safety.net |access-date=16 March 2010}}</ref>
* On 24 June 1967, a [[Douglas C-47]] (reg. HZ-AAM) crashed en route to Jeddah from [[Nejran Airport]]; all three crew members and 13 of the 14 passengers onboard were killed.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://asn.flightsafety.org/asndb/332087 |title=Accident Douglas C-47 (DC-3) HZ-AAM |website=Aviation Safety Network |accessdate=20 July 2025}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/birmingham-evening-mail-plane-crash/177117574/ |title=Plane Crash |newspaper=[[Birmingham Evening Mail]] |location=England |edition=Night Final |page=1 |date=26 June 1967 |accessdate=20 July 2025 |via=newspapers.com}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-kansas-city-star-american-killed-in/177117795/ |title=American Killed in Arabian Crash |newspaper=[[The Kansas City Star]] |location=[[Kansas City, Missouri]] |page=7 |date=11 July 1967 |accessdate=20 July 2025 |via=newspapers.com}}</ref>
* On 9 February 1968, a [[Douglas C-47]] (reg. HZ-AAE) was damaged beyond economic repair at an unknown location.<ref name=ASN090268>{{cite web|url=http://aviation-safety.net/database/record.php?id=19680209-0|title=HZ-AAE Accident description|publisher=Aviation Safety Network|access-date=24 July 2011}}</ref>
* On 10 November 1970, a [[Douglas DC-3]] on a flight from [[Amman Civil Airport]], [[Jordan]] to King Khalid International Airport, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia was hijacked and diverted to [[Damascus Airport]], [[Syria]].<ref name=ASN101170>{{cite web|url=http://aviation-safety.net/database/record.php?id=19701110-0|title=Hijacking description|publisher=Aviation Safety Network|access-date=20 October 2010}}</ref>
* On 11 July 1972, a [[Douglas C-47]]B (reg. HZ-AAK) was damaged beyond economic repair in an accident at [[Tabuk Airport]].<ref name=ASN110772>{{cite web|url=http://aviation-safety.net/database/record.php?id=19720710-0|title=HZ-AAK Accident description|publisher=Aviation Safety Network|access-date=5 September 2010}}</ref>
* On 2 January 1976, Saudia Flight 5130, a [[McDonnell Douglas DC-10]]-30CF, leased from [[Overseas National Airways|ONA]] undershot the runway at [[Istanbul]], Turkey, crash landed, tearing off the #1 engine and causing the left wing to catch fire. All passengers and crew evacuated safely. The aircraft was written off.<ref>{{ASN accident|id=19760102-0|access-date=24 November 2020|title=N1031F}}</ref>

[[File:Saudia Flight 163 aftermath of fire onboard.jpg|thumb|The aftermath of the fire aboard [[Saudia Flight 163]] in 1980]]

* On 19 August 1980, [[Saudia Flight 163]], a [[Lockheed L-1011 TriStar|Lockheed L-1011-200 TriStar]] (HZ-AHK), operating [[Karachi]]-[[Riyadh]]-Jeddah, was completely destroyed by fire at Riyadh airport with the loss of all 301 people on board due to delays in evacuating the aircraft.<ref>{{ASN accident|id=19800819-1|type=Accident}}</ref> This was the deadliest accident experienced by Saudia until 312 were killed in the loss of Flight 763 over 16 years later.
* On 22 December 1980, [[Saudia Flight 162]], a Lockheed L-1011-200 TriStar, operating [[Dhahran]] to [[Karachi]], experienced an explosive decompression, penetrating the passenger cabin. The hole sucked out two passengers and depressurized the cabin.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.airdisaster.com/cgi-bin/view_details.cgi?date=12231980&reg=HZ-AHJ&airline=Saudi+Arabian+Airlines|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20050524142106/http://www.airdisaster.com/cgi-bin/view_details.cgi?date=12231980&reg=HZ-AHJ&airline=Saudi+Arabian+Airlines|archive-date=24 May 2005|title=Accident Database: Accident Synopsis 12231980|publisher=Air Disaster |date=23 December 1980|url-status=usurped|access-date=28 January 2013}}</ref>
* On 5 April 1984, a Saudia [[Lockheed L-1011 TriStar]] on final approach to [[Damascus]], Syria, from [[King Abdulaziz International Airport|Jeddah]], Saudi Arabia, was hijacked by a Syrian national. The hijacker demanded to be taken to [[Istanbul]], Turkey but changed his mind and requested to go to [[Stockholm]], Sweden. After landing in Istanbul to refuel, the hijacker was arrested after the pilot pushed him out of the emergency exit.<ref>{{ASN accident|id=19840405-1|type=Hijacking}}</ref>
* On 12 November 1996, a Saudia [[Boeing 747-100]]B (HZ-AIH), operating flight 763, was involved in the [[Charkhi Dadri mid-air collision|1996 Charkhi Dadri mid-air collision]]. The aircraft was on its way from [[New Delhi]], India, to [[Dhahran]], Saudi Arabia, when a [[Kazakhstan Airlines]] [[Ilyushin Il-76]] (UN-76435) collided with it over the village of [[Charkhi Dadri]], about 45 miles west of New Delhi. Flight 763 was carrying 312 people, all of whom, along with 37 more on the Kazakh aircraft, died, for a total of 349 fatalities.<ref>{{ASN accident|id=19961112-0|type=Accident}}</ref><ref>{{ASN accident|id=19961112-1|type=Accident}}</ref> The loss of Flight 763 alone remains Saudia's worst accident in terms of fatalities. The accident overall also remains the world's deadliest mid-air collision.
* On 6 September 1997, A Boeing 737-200 operating as Saudia Flight 1861 (reg. HZ-AGM) from Najran was accelerating on its takeoff roll when the No. 2 engine spooled up without any pilot input, the captain attempted to abort the takeoff but the engine continued to increase in power. The plane veered to the left of the runway, causing the main landing gears to collapse and tearing the right engine off the wing. It skidded for a few meters before stopping on the sand, a fire broke out but all 85 occupants managed to escape.<ref>{{Cite journal |title=NTSB Safety Recommendations |url=https://apps.dtic.mil/sti/tr/pdf/ADA359793.pdf |journal=NTSB Safety Recommendations |pages=119–123 |via=Defense Technical Information Center}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=ASN Accident Report |url=https://aviation-safety.net/database/record.php?id=19970906-2 |website=Aviation Safety Network}}</ref>
* On 14 October 2000, Saudia Flight 115,<ref>{{cite news| url=http://cdnedge.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/middle_east/972429.stm | work=BBC World | title=Saudi hijack passengers freed| date=14 October 2000 | access-date=25 December 2010<!-- , 2010-->}}</ref> flying from Jeddah to [[London]] was hijacked en route by two men who claimed they were armed with explosives. The hijackers commandeered the [[Boeing 777]]-200ER (HZ-AKH) to [[Baghdad]], [[Iraq]], where all 90 passengers and 15 crew members were safely released. The two hijackers, identified as Lieutenant Faisal Naji Hamoud Al-Bilawi and First Lieutenant Ayesh Ali Hussein Al-Fareedi,<ref>{{cite news| url=http://www.saudiembassy.net/archive/2000/news/Page196.aspx | work=Saudi Embassy | title=Hijacked Saudi plane returns safely to Riyadh | date=16 September 2000 | access-date=25 December 2010}}</ref> both Saudi citizens, were arrested and later extradited to Saudi Arabia in 2003.<ref>{{cite news| url=http://archive.arabnews.com/?page=1&section=0&article=35258&d=18&m=11&y=2003 | work=USA Today | title=Saudi Hijacker Extradited| date=18 November 2003 | access-date=25 December 2010<!-- , 2010-->}}</ref><ref>{{ASN accident|id=20001014-0|type=Hijacking}}</ref>
* On 23 August 2001, at [[Kuala Lumpur International Airport]], [[Malaysia]], a [[Boeing 747-300]] (reg. HZ-AIO) suffered nose damage as it entered a monsoon drainage ditch while it was being taxied by maintenance staff from the hangar to the gate before a return flight to Saudi Arabia. None of the six crew members on board at the time were injured, but the aircraft was written off.<ref>{{ASN accident|id=20010823-0|type=Hull-loss}}</ref>
* On 8 September 2005, a [[Boeing 747]] travelling from [[Colombo]], Sri Lanka, to Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, carrying mostly Sri Lankan nationals to take up employment in the Kingdom, received a false alarm claiming that a bomb had been planted on board. The aircraft returned to Colombo. During the evacuation, there was a [[Stampede|passenger stampede]] in the wake of which one Sri Lankan woman died, 62 were injured, and 17 were hospitalized. The aircraft had taken on a load of 420 passengers in Colombo.<ref>"[http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m0WDQ/is_2005_Sept_12/ai_n15403211 Bomb hoax triggers panic at Sri Lanka airport] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080611110044/http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m0WDQ/is_2005_Sept_12/ai_n15403211 |date=11 June 2008 }}," ''Asian Political News''. 12 September 2005</ref> According to the [[Civil Aviation Authority of Sri Lanka]], the probable cause was a "Breakdown of timely and effective communication amongst Aerodrome Controller and Ground Handling (SriLankan Airlines) personnel had prevented a timely dispatch of the stepladders to the aircraft to deplane the passengers on time, which resulted in the Pilot-In-Command to order an emergency evacuation of the passengers through slides after being alarmed by the bomb threat."<ref>"[http://www.caa.lk/pdf/accident_reports/HZ-AIP_08_Sept.%202005.pdf Final report: Accident of Saudi Arabian Airlines Flight SV-781, Boeing 747-368, Registration HZ-AIP, oN 08 September 2005 at Bandaranaike International Airport, Katunayake – Sri Lanka]" ([https://web.archive.org/web/20140322230507/http://www.caa.lk/pdf/accident_reports/HZ-AIP_08_Sept.%202005.pdf Archive]) [[Civil Aviation Authority of Sri Lanka]]. p. 11. Retrieved 3 May 2013.</ref>
* On 25 May 2008, an [[Air Atlanta Icelandic]] aircraft operating for Saudia as Flight 810 (TF-ARS) from [[Prince Mohammad Bin Abdulaziz Airport]], [[Madinah]] made an unscheduled landing at [[Zia International Airport]] (now [[Shahjalal International Airport]]), [[Dhaka]], Bangladesh. During the roll, the tower controller reported that he saw a fire on the right-hand wing. Upon vacating the runway, the crew received a fire indication for engine number three. The fire extinguisher was activated and all engines were shut down. The aircraft, a [[Boeing 747-300|Boeing 747-357]], which was damaged beyond repair, was successfully evacuated.<ref name="Aviation Safety Network">{{ASN accident|id=20080325-0|type=Hull-loss}}</ref> Only minor injuries were incurred.<ref>{{cite news |title=Saudi plane catches fire at ZIA |url=http://www.thedailystar.net/story.php?nid=29352|newspaper=[[The Daily Star (Bangladesh)|The Daily Star]]|date=26 March 2008|access-date=24 January 2011}}</ref> Investigations revealed a fuel leak where the fuel enters the front spar for engine number three.<ref name="Aviation Safety Network"/>
* On 5 January 2014, a leased [[Boeing 767-300ER]] operating under Saudia was forced to make an emergency landing at [[Prince Mohammad bin Abdulaziz Airport]] in [[Medina]] after the right [[landing gear]] failed to deploy. Fourteen passengers were minorly injured and three passengers were seriously injured from the evacuation via the emergency slides.<ref name="ASN"/><ref>{{cite news|title=Plane Crash Lands in Saudi Holy City|url=https://blogs.wsj.com/middleeast/2014/01/05/plane-crash-lands-in-saudi-holy-city/|newspaper=[[The Wall Street Journal]]}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=Saudi Plane Makes Emergency Landing, 29 Hurt|url=http://gulfbusiness.com/2014/01/saudi-plane-makes-emergency-landing-29-hurt/#.UtluwmRagzY|access-date=17 January 2014|newspaper=Gulf Business|date=5 January 2014|agency=Reuters}}</ref> The aircraft was substantially damaged and repaired.<ref name="ASN">{{Cite web |last=Ranter |first=Harro |title=Accident Boeing 767-3W0ER HS-BKE, Sunday 5 January 2014 |url=https://asn.flightsafety.org/wikibase/320609 |access-date=29 December 2024 |website=ASN}}</ref>
* On 5 August 2014, a [[Boeing 747-400]] (reg. HZ-AIX) operating as Flight 871 from Manila to Riyadh veered off runway 24 of [[Ninoy Aquino International Airport]] in Manila, Philippines, while positioning for takeoff. No one on the plane or ground was injured.<ref name="ABS-CBN News">{{cite web|url=http://www.abs-cbnnews.com/nation/metro-manila/08/05/14/saudia-plane-overshoots-naia-runway|title=Saudia plane overshoots NAIA runway (MNL)|work=ABS CBN News|access-date=5 August 2014}}</ref>
* On 11 November 2017, a [[MyCargo Airlines]] [[Boeing 747-400]] freighter operated by [[Saudia Cargo]] (reg. TC-ACR) as flight SV916 from [[Maastricht Aachen Airport|Maastricht]] to Jeddah veered off to the right of the runway during the takeoff roll in after a loss of thrust on the #4 engine caused by a [[compressor stall]]. The pilots did not immediately retard the thrust levers, and more standard procedures weren't followed as the plane swerved due to 'startle effect'.<ref>[https://www.onderzoeksraad.nl/nl/media/inline/2020/3/12/runway_excursion_after_loss_of_thrust_at_low_speed.pdf "][http://www.caa.lk/pdf/accident_reports/HZ-AIP_08_Sept.%202005.pdf Final report: Accident of MyCargo Airlines opb Saudia Cargo Flight SV-916, Boeing 747-400ERF, Registration TC-ACR, On 11 November 2017 at Maastricht/Aachen Airport, Netherlands]" Dutch Safety Board</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=ASN Aircraft accident Boeing 747-428FER TC-ACR Maastricht/Aachen Airport (MST) |url=https://aviation-safety.net/database/record.php?id=20171111-0 |access-date=27 February 2023 |website=aviation-safety.net}}</ref> The aircraft was repaired soon after.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Accident: MyCargo B744 at Maastricht on Nov 11th 2017, runway excursion on takeoff |url=http://avherald.com/h?article=4b0ed972 |access-date=27 February 2023 |website=avherald.com}}</ref>
* On 21 May 2018, an [[Onur Air]]-leased [[Airbus A330-200]] registered as TC-OCH, operating as Flight 3818 from [[Prince Mohammad bin Abdulaziz Airport|Medina]], Saudi Arabia, to [[Shahjalal International Airport|Dhaka]], Bangladesh, was diverted to Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, after suffering a malfunction with the nose landing gear. It was forced to make an emergency landing with its nose gear retracted. No injuries were reported.<ref name="Arab News">{{cite web|url=http://www.arabnews.com/node/1307081/saudi-arabia|title=Saudia Airbus A330-200 makes emergency landing at Jeddah airport|work=Arab News|date=21 May 2018 |access-date=22 May 2018}}</ref>{{Better source needed|reason=Current source is unreliable. The event was still progressing when the source was made. ([[WP:NOTRS]]).|date=September 2024}}
* On 20 June 2022, a [[Boeing 777#777-300|Boeing 777-368]] operating as Flight 862 from [[Riyadh]], Saudi Arabia, veered off and got stuck at a taxiway in Manila after landing. All 420 people on board were unharmed.<ref>{{Cite news|title=Saudia plane veers off NAIA runway |url=https://www.gmanetwork.com/news/topstories/metro/835487/saudia-plane-veers-off-naia-runway/story/ |first=Sundy |last=Locus |work=GMA News |date=20 June 2022 |access-date=16 January 2023}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |date=20 June 2022 |access-date=16 January 2023 |last=Esperas |first=Raoul |url=https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/multimedia/photo/06/20/22/saudia-airplane-gets-stuck-at-naia-taxiway |title=Saudia airplane gets stuck at NAIA taxiway |publisher=ABS-CBN News}}</ref>
* On 15 April 2023, an [[Airbus A330#A330-300|Airbus A330-343]] operating as Flight 458 was destroyed while preparing to take off in [[Khartoum Airport]], Sudan, during the [[2023 Sudan clashes]]. The aircraft, registered as HZ-AQ30, was hit by a tracer bullet, causing its hull to burn and its tail section to collapse.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.businessinsider.com/saudi-airline-involved-accident-airport-khartoum-sudan-2023-4 |access-date=17 April 2023 |date=15 April 2023 |last=Hogg |work=Business Insider |first=Ryan |title=Saudia Said Plane Involved in 'Accident' at Sudan's Khartoum Airport |quote=Saudia, formerly called Saudi Arabian Airlines, issued a statement saying one of its Airbus A330 jets was "involved in an accident" at the airport before a flight to Riyadh.... the other plane damaged in the shelling was a Ukraine-based SkyUp 737, operating on behalf of airline Sunwing.}}</ref><ref>{{Cite tweet |author=Air Plus News |user=airplusnews |number=1647182564354924546 |title=air plus news on Twitter: "🔴 [ Urgent ] Un Airbus A330 en feu à l'aéroport de Khartoum après la prise de contrôle par les rebelles putschistes. Plus d'infos à venir ⚠️ Des avions de combat sont actuellement en vol au-dessus de la capitale soudanaise." (🔴 [ Urgent ] An Airbus A330 on fire at Khartoum airport after the coup rebels took control. More info to come. ⚠️ Fighter jets are currently flying over the Sudanese capital.)}}</ref> Despite the damage, all occupants onboard managed to escape without any injuries<ref>{{Cite tweet|author=المركز الإعلامي {{!}} الخطوط السعودية (Media Center {{!}} Saudi Arabian Airlines)|user=svmedia_center|title=Statement on accident involving #saudia aircraft at Khartoum International Airport|language=en|number=1647210332589268993}}</ref> and were evacuated to the Saudi Embassy in Khartoum.<ref>{{Cite web |last1=Uras |first1=Umut |last2=Gadzo |first2=Mersiha |last3=Siddiqui |first3=Usaid |title=Sudan updates: Explosions, shooting rock Khartoum |url=https://www.aljazeera.com/news/liveblog/2023/4/15/sudan-unrest-live-news-explosions-shooting-rock-khartoum |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230415095207/http://www.aljazeera.com/news/liveblog/2023/4/15/sudan-unrest-live-news-explosions-shooting-rock-khartoum |archive-date=15 April 2023 |access-date=15 April 2023 |website=Al Jazeera |language=en}}</ref> Another Saudi plane was a few hundred kilometres away from airport and it did not land. It did a U-turn in order to avoid being shot down.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://zeenews.india.com/aviation/sudan-saudia-a330-other-planes-damaged-at-khartoum-airport-amid-heavy-firing-watch-video-2595292.html | title=Sudan: Saudia A330, Other Planes Damaged at Khartoum Airport Amid Heavy Firing - Watch Video }}</ref>
* On 11 July 2024, an [[Airbus A330#A330-300|Airbus A330-343]], registered HZ-AQ28, operating as Flight 792 from [[King Khalid International Airport|Riyadh International Airport]], Saudi Arabia, to [[Bacha Khan International Airport|Peshawar International Airport]], Pakistan, caught fire after a minor issue caused the landing gear to catch fire. All 276 passengers and 21 crew members were evacuated via the emergency slides safely.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Incident Airbus A330-343 HZ-AQ28, Thursday 11 July 2024 |url=https://asn.flightsafety.org/wikibase/393046 |access-date=9 September 2024 |website=asn.flightsafety.org}}</ref> At least 10 passengers sustained injuries.
* On 17 June 2025, a [[Boeing 777|Boeing 777-300ER]], registered HZ-AK32, operating as Flight 5276 (Hajj Flight) from [[King Abdulaziz International Airport]], Jeddah, to [[Soekarno–Hatta International Airport|Soekarno Hatta International Airport]], Jakarta, received a fake bomb threat via email. The aircraft diverted to [[Kualanamu International Airport]], Medan, and all passengers and crew were evacuated.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://jakartaglobe.id/news/fake-bomb-threat-that-forced-saudia-flight-landing-in-indonesia-traced-to-india|title=Fake Bomb Threat That Forced Saudia Flight Landing in Indonesia Traced to India|website=Jakarta Globe|date=18 June 2025}}</ref>
* On 21 June 2025, an [[Airbus A330|Airbus A330-343]], registered EC-NOF, operating as Flight 5688 (Hajj Flight) from [[Muscat International Airport]], Muscat, to [[Juanda International Airport]], Surabaya, received a fake bomb threat via telephone. The aircraft again diverted to [[Kualanamu International Airport]], Medan, and all passengers and crew were evacuated.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.kumparan.com/amp/kumparannews/pesawat-saudia-dapat-ancaman-bom-lagi-mendarat-darurat-di-kualanamu-25JCrWQO54o|title=Pesawat Saudia Dapat Ancaman Bom Lagi, Mendarat Darurat di Kualanamu|website=Kumparan.com|date=21 June 2025|access-date=21 June 2025|language=id}}</ref>

== See also ==
{{Portal|Saudi Arabia}}
* [[List of airlines of Saudi Arabia]]
* [[Red Sea International Airport]]
* [[Saudi Vision 2030]]

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
{{commons category|Saudi Arabian Airlines}}
* {{Official website}}

{{Airlines of Saudi Arabia}}
{{SkyTeam}}
{{IATA members|mideast}}
{{Arab Air Carriers Organization}}
{{authority control}}

[[Category:Saudia| ]]
[[Category:1945 establishments in Saudi Arabia]]
[[Category:Airlines established in 1945]]
[[Category:Airlines of Saudi Arabia]]
[[Category:Arab Air Carriers Organization members]]
[[Category:Companies based in Jeddah]]
[[Category:Government-owned airlines]]
[[Category:Government-owned companies of Saudi Arabia]]
[[Category:Saudi Arabian brands]]
[[Category:SkyTeam]]