Saudi Press

Saudi Arabia and the world
Monday, Jun 30, 2025

SAUDIA crowned the world's most improved airline in 2021

SAUDIA crowned the world's most improved airline in 2021

Skytrax announced on Tuesday that SAUDIA is the World’s Most Improved Airline of 2021. This is the second time that SAUDIA has won this award since 2017. That year, the Saudi flag carrier impressively jumped from the 82nd to 51st position, a 40% improvement.
This year, however, SAUDIA improved by a stunning 55% and is now 26th in the Skytrax ranking of global airlines.

The award cements the airline’s status as a full scale global carrier, constantly innovating its onboard service and culinary offering. Being awarded this accolade award reflects the dedication to quality and performance improvements in different award categories including cabin crew, food & beverage, in-flight entertainment and more.

The Skytrax award comes as yet another milestone in SAUDIA’s on-going transformation which has led to several other awards and recognitions. The airline’s stellar health safety initiatives to ensure passenger safety during the COVID-19 pandemic have attracted global accolades.

With a route network of more than 95 destinations and a fleet of 145 aircraft – operating one of the youngest fleets in the world – SAUDIA is on an upwards trajectory of continued growth in international markets.

Saudi Arabian Airlines Director General, Eng. Ibrahim Al-Omar said, “It is an honor to receive this award on behalf of the entire SAUDIA team who have demonstrated exceptional commitment to the pursuit of the highest standards globally – from health and safety to the product and experience."

"I would also like to express SAUDIA’s deep appreciation and gratitude to The Custodian of The Two Holy Mosques, King Salman, and the Crown Prince Muhammad bin Salman for their continuous support to SAUDIA, the Kingdom’s flag carrier. My congratulations also to SAUDIA’s Chairman His Excellency Eng. Saleh Al Jasser and the rest of the Board of Directors on this achievement.”

“As part of the airline’s SV2020 Strategy & Transformation Plan, SAUDIA has invested in new aircraft, product innovation and service enhancements with a single purpose – to provide all of our guests with the highest level of hospitality and comfort in the skies. We are delighted that the world is noticing and recognizing our efforts,” Al-Omar added.

Commenting on the award, Edward Plaisted, CEO of Skytrax said: "SAUDIA continues to increase its global status and appeal amongst customers. Apart from overall improvement in the main survey, the airline performed well in many other survey sections which are considered for this award. It is a fabulous achievement for SAUDIA to be named the World’s Most Improved Airline. Customers definitely recognize this improvement across the end-to-end passenger experience."

It is worth mentioning that over a hundred customer nationalities participated in the survey, with the 2021 Awards based on 13.42 million eligible survey entries counted in the final results.

Since the launch of its ‘SV 2020 Transformation Plan’ in 2015, enhancing the guest experience onboard has been a dedicated focus for SAUDIA. And in the last 12 months, the transformation has been even more rapid: SAUDIA has introduced a range of new products and enhanced existing features, modernizing the guest experience. Various initiatives include the signature Chef-on-board a la carte dining service; dine-on-demand; improved broadband internet connectivity; complimentary messaging plans across all cabins; and a new entertainment platform. The program hours have consistently increased in the last three years, taking it up to

more than 5000 entertainment hours, ensuring that there’s always something for everyone flying SAUDIA.

The striking new onboard product is one of the most notable improvements at the airline. In fact, the airline has won several awards at major industry events in 2021, receiving recognition for its children’s kit; First Class and Female Business Class amenities; catering; and inflight entertainment and connectivity. These improvements have been underpinned by the significantly changed and refreshed SAUDIA fleet. In the past year, new aircraft have entered service, offering renewed product across all cabin classes.

Saudi Arabia is steadily building on its ambitious Vision 2030 program which aims to grow its global aviation and logistics hub; attract over 100 million tourists and capture a significant share of the region’s transit market. In the last couple of years, it has eased visa and travel restrictions, invested in the tourism industry, and fostered a business-friendly environment.

SAUDIA, as the national carrier for the Kingdom, is continuously transforming itself to lead the realization of these ambitious targets by offering its guests an unparalleled travel experience without foregoing the essence of Saudi culture. This award reinforces SAUDIA’s commitment to constant improvement and growth as it readies itself for a future in which Saudi Arabia is a global travel and business hub.
Newsletter

Related Articles

Saudi Press
0:00
0:00
Close
China Unveils Miniature Insect-Like Surveillance Drone
Marc Marquez Claims Victory at Dutch Grand Prix Amidst Family Misfortune
Iran Executes Alleged Israeli Spies and Arrests Hundreds Amid Post-War Crackdown
Trump Asserts Readiness for Further Strikes on Iran Amid Nuclear Tensions
Iran's Parliament Votes to Suspend Cooperation with Nuclear Watchdog
Trump Announces Upcoming US-Iran Meeting Amid Controversial Airstrikes
Trump Moves to Reshape Middle East Following Israel-Iran Conflict
NATO Leaders Endorse Plan for Increased Defence Spending
U.S. Crude Oil Prices Drop Below $65 Amid Market Volatility
Explosions Rock Doha as Iranian Missiles Target Qatar
“You Have 12 Hours to Flee”: Israeli Threat Campaign Targets Surviving Iranian Officials
Oman Set to Introduce Personal Income Tax, First in Gulf
Germany and Italy Under Pressure to Repatriate $245bn of Gold from US Vaults
Iran Intensifies Crackdown on Alleged Mossad Operatives After Sabotage Claims
Trump Praises Iran’s ‘Very Weak’ Response After U.S. Strikes and Presses Israel to Pursue Peace
WATCH: Israeli forces show the aftermath of a massive airstrike at Iran's Isfahan nuclear site
We have new information and breaking details to share about what is shaping up to be a historic air campaign tonight
Six Massive Bombs Dropped on Fordow; Trump: 'A Historic Moment for the U.S., Israel, and the World'
Fordow: Deeply Buried Iranian Enrichment Site in U.S.–Israel Crosshairs
United States Conducts Precision Strikes on Iran’s Nuclear Sites
US strikes Iran nuclear sites, Trump says
Pakistan to nominate Trump for Nobel Peace Prize.
Israel Confirms Assassination of Quds Force Commander in Tehran
16 Billion Login Credentials Leaked in Unprecedented Cybersecurity Breach
Senate hearing on who was 'really running' Biden White House kicks off
G7 Leaders Fail to Reach Consensus on Key Global Issues
Mass exodus in Tehran as millions try to flee following Trump’s evacuation order
Iranian Military Officers Reportedly Seek Contact with Reza Pahlavi, Signal Intent to Defect
Vietnam Emerges as Luxury Yacht Destination for Ultra‑Rich
China's Iranian Oil Imports Face Disruption Amid Escalating Middle East Tensions
Trump Demands Iran's Unconditional Surrender Amid Escalating Conflict
Israeli Airstrike Targets Iranian State TV in Central Tehran
President Trump is leaving the G7 summit early and has ordered the National Security Council to the Situation Room
Netanyahu Signals Potential Regime Change in Iran
Analysts Warn Iran May Resort to Unconventional Warfare
Iranian Regime Faces Existential Threat Amid Conflict
Energy Infrastructure Becomes War Zone in Middle East
Iran Conducts Ballistic Missile Launches Amid Heightened Tensions with Israel
Iran Signals Openness to Nuclear Negotiations Amid Ongoing Regional Tensions
Shock Within Iran’s Leadership: Khamenei’s Failed Plan to Launch 1,000 Missiles Against Israel
Trump's Anti-War Stance Tested Amid Israel-Iran Conflict
UK Deploys Jets to Middle East Amid Rising Tensions
Exiled Iranian Prince Reza Pahlavi Urges Overthrow of Khamenei Regime
Wreck of $17 Billion San José Galleon Identified Off Colombia After 300 Years
Iran Launches Extensive Missile Attack on Israel Following Israeli Strikes on Nuclear Sites
Israel Issues Ultimatum to Iran Over Potential Retaliation and Nuclear Facilities
Black Box Recovered from Air India Crash Site
Coinbase CEO Warns Bitcoin Could Supplant US Dollar Amid Mounting National Debt
Trump to Iran: Make a Deal — Sign or Die
Operation "Like a Lion": Israel Strikes Iran in Unprecedented Offensive
×