.png)
Saudia Business Class Review: Manila to Vienna for $1,300
Getting home from the Philippines to Europe was supposed to be the difficult part of my trip. Instead, a last-minute Google Flights search led me to a $1,300 Saudia business class ticket from Manila to Vienna — complete with lie-flat seats, a five-hour Jeddah connection, surprisingly good food, and a few things I definitely did not expect.
Sometimes the best travel deals are the ones you never planned to find.
About a month before this entire trip, my original flight to Asia was canceled. Suddenly, a trip that had been planned one way had to be pieced back together almost at the last minute.
And somehow, that became a theme for the entire journey.
By the end of the Philippines portion of our trip, I had another problem:
How exactly were my mom and I going to get from the Philippines back to Europe without spending a fortune?
We weren't even starting in Manila. We were coming from Bohol. We still had to get ourselves to Manila before we could even begin the journey back home.
Getting from an island in the Philippines all the way back to Europe isn't exactly a simple nonstop-flight situation, especially when you're looking at long-haul flights and trying to find a price that actually makes sense.
So I did what I think most people should do when they don't particularly care which European airport gets them home.
I opened Google Flights and essentially searched:
Philippines → anywhere in Europe.
Don't Search Only for Your Final Destination
This is probably the biggest lesson from this entire booking.
If I had searched only for the exact city I ultimately needed to get to, I probably never would have found this fare.
Instead, I started looking at different European gateways.
Vienna appeared. That worked.
From Vienna, getting back to Budapest is easy enough. And when you're dealing with a long-haul trip from Southeast Asia, sometimes the smartest flight isn't the one that takes you directly home.
It's the one that gets you close enough for the right price.
Then I saw the fare.
Manila to Vienna in Saudia business class: approximately $1,300 USD one way.
And that immediately got my attention.
The $100-Per-Hour Business Class Rule
Somewhere along the way, I heard a travel rule that has stuck in my head:
If a long-haul business class ticket works out to around $100 per flight hour or less, it's worth seriously considering.
Is this an official travel rule?
Absolutely not.
But I actually think it's a useful way to put the cost of premium cabins into perspective.
Sometimes you'll search a long-haul route and see economy class for $700 or $800, only to find business class for around $1,300.
At that point, we're no longer talking about paying three or four times as much.
For an itinerary that would ultimately take us roughly 24 hours door-to-door, the difference was absolutely worth considering.
Lie-flat seats. Priority check-in. Lounge access (granted that's not a big plus as I have access to lounges with Priority Pass). Better food. Plenty of space. And most importantly, the possibility of arriving in Europe feeling somewhat like a functioning human being.
So yes.
I booked it.
Wait… We're Flying Through Saudi Arabia?
Of course, immediately after finding this fare, a couple of thoughts went through my head.
Am I really routing through the Middle East right now?
Apparently yes.
Am I really booking an airline I had never seriously considered before?
Also yes.
Sometimes travel requires being open to an option you hadn't originally planned, and Saudia ended up being one of the biggest surprises of this trip.
I hadn't specifically searched for a Saudia flight. It simply appeared because I had widened my search enough to let Google Flights show me possibilities I might otherwise never have considered.
One Very Important Thing to Know: Saudia Is a Dry Airline
If having a glass of wine or champagne is an important part of your business class experience, Saudia may not be the airline for you.
It is a dry airline, meaning there is no alcohol served onboard.
And in my experience, the lack of alcohol started before we even boarded.
I have a borderline ridiculous obsession with ube after visiting the Philippines, so while we were at Manila Airport, I found an ube liquor at duty-free and naturally wanted to buy it.
Nope.
Because we were traveling through Saudi Arabia, I wasn't able to purchase it.
So there went my ube souvenir.
For me, though, alcohol on a plane really doesn't matter.
Give me a comfortable business class seat, somewhere to sleep and good food, and I'm perfectly happy.
But if alcohol is an important part of your business class experience, the fact that Saudia is a dry airline is definitely something you should know before booking.
Business Class Saved Us at Manila Airport
Then came Manila Airport.
And wow...
The check-in line for our flight to Jeddah was unbelievable. I'm not even sure how all those people were getting on the same flight as us.
I am one of those people who arrives at the airport three hours before an international flight. Always.
Normally, three hours feels overly responsible.
Looking at that economy class line?
I genuinely don't know how long it would have taken us.
This was one of the moments when being business class passengers made a very noticeable difference.
Priority check-in meant we were through within minutes, and the rest of the departure process moved quickly as well.
Suddenly, what initially looked like it was going to be a fairly chaotic Manila departure became completely manageable.
This was also one of those moments when I realized that the value of business class doesn't begin when you sit down in the seat.
Sometimes the airport experience itself matters almost as much.
What Was the Manila Airport Lounge Like?
This was probably the weakest part of the entire experience.
The Priority Pass lounge options at Manila Airport weren't particularly impressive when we traveled, and the airport lounge available to us through Saudia wasn't somewhere I would specifically arrive early to experience.
It did the job.
There was somewhere to sit, food and drinks, and a place to get away from the busy terminal. But even the lounge was busy and crowded (and hot).
But this was definitely not one of those exclusive lounges where you walk in and immediately think, "I need three hours here."
Honestly, I was just happy to be through the airport chaos.
Manila to Jeddah: My First Saudia Business Class Flight
Then we boarded the longer flight from Manila to Jeddah.
And this was where Saudia really surprised me.
The business class seats converted into lie-flat seats, there was plenty of space, and the food was genuinely good.
More importantly, this was my mom's first time experiencing a lie-flat business class seat.
That made this particular flight even more special.
Watching her realize that yes, the seat actually turns into a flat bed — and then watching her happily settle in for the flight — was probably one of my favorite parts of the journey home.
She loved every minute of it!
And when you're dealing with long journeys like this one, being able to put your seat into bed mode and actually sleep changes the entire travel experience.
What Is Saudia Business Class Actually Like?
The thing I appreciated most was that it didn't feel like we had booked some kind of "cheap version" of business class simply because we happened to find an unusually good fare.
The important parts of the hard product were there.
Comfortable business class seats. Lie-flat seats for sleeping. Plenty of space. A proper meal service. And a significantly more comfortable way to spend a very long travel day.
I'm not someone who needs every flight to be in business class, and I'm certainly not going to pretend that everyone should pay for it every time they travel.
But there is a massive difference between spending the better part of a day sitting upright in economy class and being able to sleep properly on a flat bed.
On a journey this long, that matters.
What Is Saudia Business Class Food Like?
The food was another surprise.
It was really good.
On both flights.
Breakfast and the dessert from dinner One of the savory courses from Jeddah to Vienna, and the fish was much better than I expected from a And yes, dessert deserved its own moment
Saudia business class food ended up being one of the things I remembered most positively from the trip because airline food — even in business class — can be very hit or miss.
The meal service felt like part of the overall experience rather than something I simply wanted to get through so I could go back to sleep.
I wouldn't choose an airline solely because of its main course or food options, obviously.
But when you're spending this many hours traveling, having enjoyable meals absolutely improves the experience.
Arriving in Jeddah at 4:30 AM
We arrived in Jeddah at around 4:30 in the morning with around a five-hour connection before our next flight to Vienna.
Thankfully, flying business class gave us access to Saudia's lounge.
And the lounge is massive.
Was it my favorite business class lounge I've ever visited?
No.
Was I extremely grateful to have it at 4:30 in the morning during a 24-hour journey?
Absolutely.
There was plenty of space to sit, eat, recharge, and relax before our second flight.
Although I do need to mention something slightly ridiculous.
I love air conditioning.
Like, genuinely love it.
I had just spent time sweating at Manila Airport.
And even I was freezing in the Jeddah lounge. Genuinely so cold that I was thankful I had an extra fleece with me in my backpack. It was much needed!
So perhaps bring an extra layer.
Jeddah to Vienna: A Completely Different Business Class Cabin
Our second flight surprised me again because the business class cabin felt completely different from the first.
The Jeddah-to-Vienna flight had a brand-new cabin, and we were told that it was actually the first time the new aircraft or interior was being used.
A first look at Saudia's newer business class cabin on our flight from Jeddah to Vienna Arabic coffee served shortly after boarding - a signature part of the Saudia experience The route from Jeddah to Vienna
The new seat was once again lie-flat, but these seats felt almost like individual little cabins.
Very modern.
Very private.
Very new.
Objectively, it was a beautiful business class cabin.
But this is also where personal preference comes into play.
I actually preferred the more open business class seats on our first flight.
The new seat on the second flight felt much more enclosed, and although some travelers would probably love the additional privacy, I found the configuration slightly claustrophobic.
That's why I think it's important to look at the seat map and aircraft type when you're choosing business class seats. Airlines can have different configurations across different aircraft, and two flights sold as exactly the same "business class" experience can feel surprisingly different.
Technically, the new seat may have been the more impressive hard product.
Personally?
I felt more comfortable in the first one.
Was $1,300 for Saudia Business Class Worth It?
For this particular trip?
100% yes.
Getting from Manila in the Philippines all the way back to Europe took us roughly 24 hours door-to-door.
Twenty-four hours is a long travel day regardless of which cabin you're sitting in.
Being able to sleep properly, stretch out, use priority check-in, eat good meals, and have access to an airport lounge during our five-hour connection made an enormous difference.
Would I automatically tell someone to spend thousands of dollars more for business class on every trip?
Absolutely not.
But this is exactly why I always check business class pricing before automatically booking economy class.
If economy is $800 and business is $1,300 for a very long itinerary, actually stop and look at the difference before dismissing business class as being too expensive.
Sometimes there really are little gems hiding in the search results.
Would I Fly Saudia Business Class Again?
Absolutely.
Especially for the right fare.
If you don't care about drinking alcohol onboard, I think Saudia deserves to be considered when you're searching for long-haul flights between Asia, the Middle East and Europe.
It wasn't an airline I had originally planned to fly.
It wasn't even a route I had originally planned to take.
And yet it ended up being one of those travel decisions that worked out surprisingly well.
That's also why I don't think travelers should automatically be afraid of a slightly unconventional routing.
Sometimes Manila → Jeddah → Vienna makes far more sense than forcing yourself to book the route you originally thought you were supposed to take.
Saudia's Stopover Option Makes It Even More Interesting
There's another reason I would consider flying Saudia again.
Saudia offers stopover possibilities for eligible travelers connecting through Saudi Arabia, meaning that instead of simply changing planes in places like Jeddah, you may be able to turn the connection into a short stay in Saudi Arabia before continuing to your final destination.
I didn't do it on this particular trip as my mom and I needed to be back in Hungary by a certain date.
But would I consider doing it next time?
Absolutely.
I love the idea of turning what would otherwise just be a connection into another destination.
Because visa and stopover requirements can depend on your passport and itinerary, I would always check Saudia's current rules before building this into a trip.
The Biggest Lesson: Search Wider Before You Book
If there's one thing I took away from this entire experience, it's this:
Don't assume the obvious flight is the best flight.
Try nearby airports.
Try different European gateways.
Search one-way fares.
And look at business class even if you assume it's going to be too expensive.
If your plans suddenly change — like mine did when my original flight to Asia was canceled a month before the trip — don't assume that making a last-minute booking automatically means you're going to get a terrible deal.
Sometimes it does.
And sometimes you accidentally find a $1,300 business class ticket with lie-flat seats halfway around the world.
I'll take the latter.
Saudia Business Class: My Quick Review
Route: Manila → Jeddah → Vienna
Cabin: Business Class
Price paid: Approximately $1,300 USD one way per person
Connection: Five hours in Jeddah
Business class seats: Lie-flat on both flights, with different configurations
Food: Very good on both flights
Alcohol: None — Saudia is a dry airline
Manila lounge: Fine, but nothing particularly memorable
Jeddah lounge: Massive, comfortable, and very useful during an early-morning connection
Best part: The comfort-to-price ratio
Would I fly Saudia again? Absolutely.
Would I pay around $1,300 again for an itinerary like this? Without hesitation.
Frequently Asked Questions About Saudia Business Class
Is Saudia business class worth it?
For a long-haul itinerary, I think it absolutely can be, particularly when the price difference between economy class and business class is relatively small. I paid approximately $1,300 for Manila to Vienna via Jeddah and would make the same decision again.
Does Saudia business class have lie-flat seats?
Both of my Saudia business class flights between Manila, Jeddah and Vienna had lie-flat seats, although the business class seats and cabin configurations differed between the two flights. Always check the scheduled aircraft and seat map for your particular flight, as aircraft can change.
Is Saudia a dry airline?
Yes. Saudia is a dry airline, and alcohol is not served onboard. If having wine, champagne, or another alcoholic drink is an important part of your business class experience, this is worth knowing before you book.
What was the Saudia business class food like?
I was genuinely impressed by the food on both flights. The meal service was one of the more pleasant surprises of the experience, especially considering that I had originally booked Saudia because of the fare rather than because I was specifically looking for the airline.
Is Jeddah Airport good for a business class connection?
My five-hour Jeddah connection was very manageable because we had access to Saudia's large airport lounge. It wasn't my favorite lounge I've ever visited, but during an early-morning connection it gave us plenty of space to eat, relax and recharge before the next flight.
Was business class worth it for a 24-hour journey?
For me, yes. Getting from Manila back to Europe took roughly 24 hours door-to-door, so having lie-flat seats, priority check-in, lounge access, and space to sleep made a meaningful difference. For long journeys, I always recommend comparing the actual difference between the economy class and business class fare before assuming business is too expensive.
Would I recommend Saudia for travel between Asia and Europe?
Yes. I would especially consider Saudia when the business class fare is significantly better than other options and you're comfortable with the lack of alcohol onboard. My Manila-to-Vienna experience was comfortable, the food was good and the value was very difficult to beat.
Final Thoughts
I started this search simply trying to figure out how to get home from the Philippines. Maybe I'd find a good points deal or maybe just a food flight deal.
I wasn't specifically looking for Saudia.
I wasn't specifically looking to fly through Jeddah.
And I definitely wasn't expecting to find business class for around $1,300.
But that's precisely why I love searching for travel this way.
Sometimes the itinerary that looks a little strange on paper ends up being the one you remember most.
And after nearly 24 hours of travel, arriving back in Europe after actually getting some sleep rather than sitting upright all night?
Worth every penny!
Comments