Flying Saudi Arabia Airlines: 3 things to know before boarding a Saudia airplane

Our travels to Asia took us to Japan and Singapore, from where my daughter and I were flew to Washington D.C. on Saudi Arabia Airlines. Saudia Airlines is the national carrier for the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. We made the Saudia booking on the American Express Travel portal using our Business Platinum card and earned 5 times the points in the process. We had flown on other Middle Eastern carriers, including Emirates First Class several times and Etihad Airways, which exceeded our expectations from start to finish. However, we were not prepared for our flights with Saudi Arabia Airlines and figured we would share our experience so you know what to expect.  Here are 3 things you need to know before boarding a Saudia airplane. If you don’t want to be denied boarding, face prison time for importing banned items, or have precious items confiscated in Saudi Arabia, read what you need to know before flying Saudi Arabia Airlines.

1. You must abide by the Saudi Arabia dress code to board a Saudia airplane

We arrived to Changi Airport in Singapore and went to the Saudia check-in counter excited for our Saudia first class flight home. Since the temperature in Singapore that day was sweltering hot, we were dressed accordingly. I was wearing an elegant knee-length dress with capped shoulders and a scoop neckline that was not at all revealing. My daughter was wearing a sleeveless dress that was also knee-length. Since I knew we’d be taking photos during the flight to write a Saudia Airlines review for the blog, I wanted us to look our best. I purposely picked out classy color-coordinated dresses for our first mother-daughter flight.

When we walked up to the Saudia check-in counter, a male crew member stepped aside and spoke quietly to a female crew member while looking at us. She came over with a card explaining and showing images of the proper attire for flights on Saudia Airlines. As a woman, I was not allowed to wear any tight or thin clothing, or clothing that exposed my arms or legs. Since my dress exposed both, I was told that I would have to change my clothes or would not be allowed to board the flight.

I asked about my daughter and the crew members said that she could wear her dress since she was a young child. Thankfully, since it was cold at home, I had a pair of jeans and a sweater in my carry-on that I planned to change into on the flight. I made my way to the lounge and changed into my clothing that abided by the Saudi Arabia dress code.

Here’s the card they showed me, which I snapped a quick photo of with my phone. Men cannot expose their legs, although have fewer restrictions than women. It’s also noted that men and women are not allowed to display any affection in public, so don’t give your flight companion a kiss on board.

One thing that really took me off guard was that we did not receive any advance warning about what was considered appropriate attire. I understand that passengers must be dressed appropriately to enter Saudi Arabia, but was not prepared to have to change for the flight itself. I think Saudi Arabia airlines should inform passengers prior to check-in about the dress code for the flight.  A simple confirmation email with details of the booking would be a great opportunity to let passengers know about the dress code for the flight. I would have been really upset if I didn’t have proper attire in my carry-on. If I would have needed to purchase clothing last-minute at the airport, that could have been expensive. I’ve also heard of passengers being denied boarding at the gate and missing their flight because their clothing violated the Saudi Arabia dress code, and they didn’t have time to get any other clothes.

After the flight, I checked Saudia Airline’s website to see if their dress code is explained anywhere. Here’s all that I could find about Saudia airplane dress code, which is vague. It simply says that passengers must dress in a manner that is inline with public taste and does not offend other passengers. Well, that’s pretty subjective if you ask me. I think they need to post their dress code on their website and pro-actively inform passengers before the flight.

2. No alcohol is served or allowed on a Saudia airplane

The second important thing to know about flying on Saudi Arabia Airlines, known as Saudia Airlines, is that alcohol is not served or permitted on any Saudia airplane. Since alcohol is illegal in Saudi Arabia and Saudia Airlines is the national carrier for Saudi Arabia, they’ve banned alcohol on all their flights. Even products containing alcohol are not permitted.

This came as a second major surprise during my flight with Saudia Airlines. Since I was flying Saudia First Class, I was hoping for some premium champagne during my long international flight. When we flew Emirates First Class, which is another airline based out of a Muslim country, the flight attendants were popping Dom Perignon champagne and serving us premium Russian vodka with our caviar.

Instead of a glass of champagne to welcome you onboard, flight attendants bring a tray of juice, lemonade, and date smoothies. A glass of bubbly at the start of a long flight always helps me relax and has become something I look forward to in premium cabins. I missed the champagne, but did love the date smoothie.

So before you start thinking, ok….I’m going to bring my own flask so I can make myself a night cap, think again! It is illegal to bring any alcohol into Saudi Arabia, or even to arrive under the influence of alcohol. People have been arrested at the airport and have done time in prison for bringing alcohol into Saudi Arabia, or even for showing up intoxicated. Don’t do it!

3.  Don’t bring any banned items on a Saudia airplane

So you know that alcohol is not allowed, but there’s a whole list of other items that are prohibited in Saudi Arabia. So if you have a layover in Saudi Arabia, there are items you should not bring on a Saudia airplane. Among the extensive list of banned items are pornography or even women’s fashion magazines with risqué photos of women, drugs, medicine, pork, Israeli goods, religious items and religious books. In the recent past, Bibles were confiscated but after doing much research on the subject, apparently one Bible per person is allowed, but any more will be confiscated. Other religious items that do not adhere to the strict religious beliefs of Saudi Arabia are banned, included six-pointed stars and crucifix necklaces.

Whatever you do, don’t bring drugs into Saudi Arabia! I discovered some shocking information from ExpatVine.com,  who has an extensive list of 59 items banned in Saudi Arabia. Their post explains that “In the event of carrying drugs and other narcotics, you risk being beheaded as the penalty for having such items in your possessions.” Wow, talk about a shocker there! So even if you are prescribed narcotics, don’t bring them into Saudi Arabia. Even prescribed medication and herbal medicine is prohibited unless given express permission by the Ministry of Health.

So, are you ready for your flight on Saudi Arabia Airlines?

I didn’t do any research on Saudia Airlines before my flight because we weren’t spending any time in Saudi Arabia other than a few hours of layover in Jeddah. I was unprepared and surprised by my experience with Saudi Arabia Airlines from the start. I was taken aback by the dress code to board the plane, which would have been easier if I had been given guidelines in advance about what is considered appropriate attire for Saudia Airlines. I missed champagne and was nervous that my religious devotional book would be confiscated during my layover in Saudi Arabia, but thankfully it was in my checked luggage and was not taken. I’ll be sharing my Saudia First Class review and my Saudia Business Class review soon on the blog with more details about what to expect on a Saudia airplane.

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