Saudi Arabian Airlines (Saudia) is expanding in North America with flights from Riad and Jeddah to and from Toronto starting in October 28, 2013.
As of March 31 Saudi will also service the US West Coast with Los Angeles arriving at their brand new state international terminal.
The Saudi fleet modernization program is ongoing with the B777-368ER and eight Dreamliners B 787 on order.
Saudi Arabian Airlines operating as Saudia is the flag carrier airline of Saudi Arabia, based in Jeddah. The airline reverted to its abbreviated English brand name Saudia (used from 1972 to 1996) from Saudi Arabian Airlines (historic name in use until 1971 and reintroduced in 1997) on 29 May 2012; the name was changed to celebrate the company’s entry into the SkyTeam airline alliance on that day, and it was a part of a larger rebranding initiative.[2] It operates domestic and international scheduled flights to over 90 destinations in the Middle East, Africa, Asia, Europe and North America. Domestic and international charter flights are operated, mostly during Ramadan and the Hajj season.
The airline’s main operational base is at Jeddah-King Abdulaziz International Airport (JED). Other major hubs are Riyadh-King Khalid International Airport (RUH), and Dammam-King Fahd International Airport (DMM). The new Dammam airport was opened for commercial use on 28 November 1999. Dhahran International Airport in use until then, has reverted to being used as a military base.
Saudia is a member of the Arab Air Carriers Organization. The airline joined the SkyTeam airline alliance on May 29, 2012. The airline used to be the largest carrier in the region, but because of the growth of other airports and airlines has become the third largest, behind Emirates and Qatar Airways.
