The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia’s national flag carrier, Saudia, hosted an exclusive media breakfast at the carrier’s beautiful new lounge at London Heathrow Airport Terminal 4 on Wednesday 9 July 2025. Welcoming select media, including Inflight Editor Satu Dahl, the event showcased Saudia’s premium offering and marked a significant milestone in Saudia’s ongoing commitment to elevate its global guest experience.
Saudia is welcoming a new era of transformation with a commitment to premium service, authentic Saudi hospitality, cultural richness and elevated travel experiences. The airline is currently progressing well with its substantial fleet renewal programme, with Khaled Tash, Group Chief Marketing Officer for Saudia Group telling journalists at the event that by the end of 2032, Saudia Group (consisting of Saudia and flyadeal) expects to receive 191 new aircraft in total. This includes both Airbus and Boeing aircraft.
Expanded global routes and world-class service, as well as the carrier’s retrofitted aircraft which will offer new seating, all-fleet seamless and fast Wi-Fi, extensive inflight entertainment library and advanced in-flight entertainment screens, are all part of the expanded and enhanced passenger experience.
Saudia offers the leading Arabic streaming platform Shahid’s exclusive entertainment content through Saudia’s BEYOND in-flight entertainment system, reflecting Saudia’s dedication to showcasing local and Arabic content in addition to popular international movies and TV programmes and more. Shahid’s top titles, including “Qissati,” “Mawdouea A’aeli,” “Saffah al Giza,” and “Ghaseel” are included in the offering and additionally, Shahid’s content will be subtitled, ensuring a premium entertainment experience for non-Arabic-speaking guests.
Khaled Tash said at the time of announcing the partnership with Shahid: “We are delighted to feature Shahid’s premiere content on our new BEYOND entertainment system, enabling our guests to enjoy the world’s largest digital platform for original Arabic-language content. This strategic partnership underscores Saudia’s commitment to enhancing local and regional content within our in-flight entertainment experience.
He continued: “We look forward to expanding this partnership further, bringing even more of Shahid’s exceptional entertainment offerings to our guests.”
Lounge excellence
The beautifully designed new London Heathrow lounge, which was opened this April, features a range of luxurious offerings showcasing the warmth of Saudi hospitality such as traditional Saudi coffee and dates from the Kingdom, in addition to a premium dining experience and a private VIP area.
The design features a bespoke London Tea Exchange experience, luxury showers with Urban Apothecary amenities, prayer rooms, and a quiet zone. Fully equipped workspaces, high-speed Wi-Fi and charging stations are also offered and the lounge’s design incorporates refined accessories, such as sculptures and artwork, to elevate the ambiance.
