Dhaka Airport
Check-in is at the end of the terminal, not far from the domestic terminal. Saudia has its own staff. Upon arrival at check-in, I'm informed that the flight will ultimately be passing through Riyadh to drop off passengers there, while the flight from Dhaka to Riyadh departs at roughly the same time. This is a good thing; it will reduce my waiting time in Jeddah and allow me to see a bit of Riyadh airport, even though we'll be arriving in the middle of the night.
A SkyPriority counter is available, but few people will be using it; most of the passengers will be Bangladeshis going to work in Saudi Arabia.
the checking area of saudia is recognisable by all signs attached over the checking desk
I was the only foreigners on board 99 % of passengers are Bangladeshi going to Saudi Arabia for work
The flight
Boarding is over, and I'll be among the last passengers to board. The flight crew is composed of Bangladeshi ladies flight attendants, while the men will all be Saudis. All the ladies flight attendants will be in economy class, and the men will be in business class.
Our plane is a Boeing 777-200, still in the livery of Saudi Arabian Airlines, although the company's name has changed to Saudia. It's HZ-AKT, delivered new to Saudia in September 2000.
Now that the company is booming, the 777-200s are destined to disappear and be replaced by the Boeing 787, 777-300, and A330 on the regional network.
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What is very nice about Dhaka airport is being able to see the abandoned planes of Biman and other bankrupt Bangladeshi companies such as GMC Airlines or United Airways and the DC 10s of Biman.
there is even Fokker 28 of Biman from an other time
and one of the Boeing 737-800 with a logo which didnt lasted long as it was not satisfy most of the government people
After takeoff, service begins. The Bangladeshi flight attendants were all very friendly, except for one who constantly talks to people like they were dogs.
Each cabin has a video screen (video on demand) with films in several languages, including French.
we were giving a wet towel, headphones were already on the seat.
As on all the company's long-haul aircraft, a prayer room is located at the rear of the cabin just before the galley at gate 4. The only one who will pray during the flight will be a steward who will also go just when the second course is served. Nice for colleagues.
The meal was then served, I think there were two choices but I can't remember, anyway I had the Chicken Biryani. Saudia is a dry airlines so onnly soft drinks were offered.
Before arriving in Riyadh, a second service is offered consisting of a sandwich and a cake.
just before arrival in Riyadh
At the stopover in Riyadh, a crew change will take place, half of the passengers leave us and we head back to Jeddah where we are offered a hot sandwich.
Another nice thing about Jeddah is that no plane is in contact 9at that time), which allows me to take some photos of my plane as I leave. We go through Business Class, which is quite old-fashioned; the seats are only recliners and not full-flat. This is fine for 3-4 hour flights like to Bangladesh, but on longer flights…
last views of my aircraft before boarding the bus to the terminal
Transit at Jeddah airport
Jeddah Airport has a Transit Lounge where you can rest, eat and drink. Especially if you are traveling with Saudia, do not go more than 1 hour before to the departure lounge because there is no way to rest. The size of this lounge is ridiculously too small for an international airport like Jeddah which receives hundreds of flights per day. Most passengers arrive hours before their return flights and are forced to sit or sleep on the floor due to lack of seats.
the duty free area
the apron view by night
