Boing The Ostrich - JED-DXB-JED on Saudia

Hehe first TR, I have no clue what I'm doing.

So School had a neat little Academic / Knowledge Bowl club that I joined, and later on in the year we learned that there will be a competition held in Dubai, and my school was an active participant! I made my way up to being the captain of one of the school teams, and payed a mere 2600SAR for flights, and accomodation! (At DXB's Holiday Inn Express)

FLIGHT 1: JED-DXB

Airline: SAUDIA

Class; Economy

Aircraft: A321-200

Duration: 2h50min

We arrived extra early for our ~7AM departure, we were informed to meet at school by 5 and we all headed to the airport together in a school bus. I was disappointed that the new terminals were not done, but trust me they look like they are! Till then we have good the good old terminal to use.

After some pretty quick passport controls, (Since our group was mostly Americans, South African, Korean, Diplomatic.. and poor little Sudanese me!), we whizzed past the Duty Free and had breakfast airside. 

Here you can see the pretty average sized Duty Free Area, pretty neat, clean, and empty! No one's buying the cool Gucci perfumes at 5 AM! 20% off though!

My Semi-Conscious group shuffling through Duty Free. With our lovely Chaperone (The Librarian) Mrs. Mayo! (Yes she's uncovered because this isn't North Korea, but she was wearing a basic unbuttoned Ebaya, so more like a coat, which she removed upon arriving at Dubai). 

Potato quality photos inside the terminal, nicely refurbished a few years ago (May not have taken it's better sides, I was half asleep too)

Manged some blurry spotting too! (Much clearer iRL though!)

Finally boarded the A321-200 after a nice cheap breakfast at a cafe inside. Had a good Hot Chocolate an d Doughnut, while my team mates managed to order Chicken Nuggets, Potato Wedges, and Spring Rolls for breakfast all at around 6AM.

The FAs were very kind and organized, managed to get everyone in their seats on-time! The seat wasn't bad too, but I preferred the return flight much more! NO IFE HERE!!!

Refreshing Tissues were handed out to everyone. Business Class get Warm towlettes though.

A bit into the flight, we were asked what we would like for Breakfast, and we had the option for either Ful (Fava Bean Stew) or an Omlette. I opted for the omlette, though I've never tried SV's Ful!

The Eggs were nice, potato wedges okay, and "Mushroom Creme Sauce' horrible. Everything else was pretty good too!

Full Contents: Omlette with Mushroom Creme Sauce and Potato Wedges. Croissant, Bun, Jam, Butter, OJ, Apple Slices, Water.

In the little envelope was nice metal silverware to eat with!

Overall dining experience: 3-4/5, some parts were perfect, some parts weren't.

We were also given a nice little candy after Breakfast, and some more scented tissues. A nice touch imo.

Doing the return flight tomorrow!  Stay tuned and what not, its not a lovely updated A330-300!

I'll also be TRing my flight to Sudan, and back, on a 777-200.

Hey Boing come to Abu Dhabi and Pay me a Visit

No.

I thought you lived in North Korea

I thought you lived in North Korea

Just because he doesn't live in the United States of Freedom...

Or any other "stable" country.

Very nicely done! looking forward to the return trip TR

Noice!  

Quick question. I've never been to Jeddah, so I'm not quite sure...

How are planes accommodated at the airport? Like, are there any jetways or is the entire airport handled by airstairs and buses?

Quick question. I've never been to Jeddah, so I'm not quite sure...

How are planes accommodated at the airport? Like, are there any jetways or is the entire airport handled by airstairs and buses?

For now the whole airport relies on Airstairs and Buses, there used to be jetways but they were taken down after the arriva termina's expansion.

I believe the Hajj terminal has Jetways (May be wrong).

It's planned for the new airport to be fully jetway-ed. (Opening soon!)

For now the whole airport relies on Airstairs and Buses, there used to be jetways but they were taken down after the arriva termina's expansion.

I believe the Hajj terminal has Jetways (May be wrong).

 

It's planned for the new airport to be fully jetway-ed. (Opening soon!)

Yeah, the new terminal looks gorgeous! (very PEK-esque)

Oooooh I do love airline food  

Shame you had a chaperone, could have stocked up on copious duty free cartons of smokes, vodka and coconut rum

Part 2! 

After a great time in Dubai competing, it was time to head back to cruddy ol' Jeddah. Our departure time was around Noon, and we arrived at the terminal with plenty of time to spare. Apparently one of the other competing team's flight was heading out a about the same time we were, so we planned on hanging out with them till boarding. This was until one of us had some trouble with his return ticket which wasted all of this valuable time. I however managed to spot a few planes in the meantime! 

The View from Check-In Area

A cool EK 77W, and imo a very cool looking Control Tower too!

RJ A320 and VIA (Bulgaria) A3(19?)

Mahan Air A340-(300?) 

EK A330-200

Shaheen A330-300, that livery looks more beautiful in real life!

PIA A320-200

Sneaky Russian bitch slithered in there from the other side, didnt get a decent taxiing shot. (Aeroflot 737)

GaySalmonAir A321(I forgot what this airline was)

Next Up: Boarding and Trip

The Flight!

I was super excited to board the  updated A330-300 that was taking us home! Not only was it cozier with the new colors, but it had InFlight Wifi to purchase, and amazing Cabin Crew

Making our way into Sheikh Rashid Terminal after we checked and and got all the issues covered.

A nice early flight, and relatively close departure gate made everything easy without the EK spam

The 777 heading to Riyadh. 

>Old Livery

>Old Seats

ew.

Our little bird parked right next to it  

We got something to eat (Mcdo's, donuts.. etc), and though I had a light sandwich I was leaving space for SV.

Spotted an Ethiopian 767 parked next to us.

YAY JETBRIDGES!! its been so long since I was on one of these

A better view of our wings  

Next: Seats and Flight!

Boarding!

The FA's were awesome. best on any flight I was on yet! All very sweet, but professional as well. They were extra cheery when the whole team purchased some gifts from SkySales!

Damn human blocking my view on the new Business Class seats. Now they got larger screens and are fully flat (180 Degrees!)

Making our way to our seats. The new colors are much cozier than the old blue.

Actually rather comfy.

Yay IFE! Actually watched a movie with all the time, and then spent some time playing In-Flight Trivia with my teammates. (Go Figures)

The Ethiopian 767 about to push back (Taken by my friend who wouldnt let me have the window seat )

YUMYUMS AND OTHER ACCESSORIES.

Safety thingy

Beef was pretty ok, tastes much better than it looks. Rice was ok too. Cake was dry and industrial. Apple Juice good, ordered 3 more. Salad was also pleasant.

Full Contents: 

Beef and Yellow Rice, Bun, Cake, Butter, Salad with 1000 Island Dressing Packet (Or was it Italian), Apple Juice, and Water. Scented Tissues/Napkin

Also note the Metal Silverware! Came in a really fancy envelope/pouch like the inbound flight too.

Overall everything was great! Except for that cake. Oh where was the famous SV Tiramisu! 

We were offered Fizzy Drinks later into lunch, I had some Pepsi  

Later on in the flight the FAs were more than happy to help me and my team with our SkySales purchases, we each got some nice gifts for our fam at home. I got my sisters some bracelets, and got my Mom a beautiful necklace! All at a great price too!

Overall I enjoyed this particular flight more over the inbound one, but SV never disappoints me these days with their constant improvement! 

Stay sober for once and try them out

THE END!

Very nice indeed. Seem like you enjoyed yourself thoroughly! Glad to see that updated Saudia interiors. their 777s look so tired inside.I'll be visiting DXB  again in about 2 weeks time for my flight to BNE, can't wait. 

I love how the safety card has the same plane for emergency landing, water landing, and landing.