Hi, everyone.
I am wondering about Saudi Arabian Airlines' service at IAD. It is strange to me because although the IAD website and SV website say that they fly to IAD, their service seems like a complete mystery to me. Even the signs on the road leading up to the airport still list SV on them. The only other trace of their service I've seen in the airport is an SV sign next to a gate, but the gate is deserted. If EY and EK are starting up at IAD in the near future, is SV going to cease their service to IAD?
Comments are welcome!
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- boberito6589
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RE: Saudi Arabian Airlines' Future At IAD
From the SV website this is their schedule effective 25MAR-5JUN
RIYADH
28 Mar 04 Jun Mo - We - - Sa - 1730 1335* SV0038 77L Nonstop
JEDDAH
25 Mar 03 Jun - - - Th Fr - Su 1730 1315* SV0036 77L Nonstop
RIYADH
28 Mar 04 Jun Mo - We - - Sa - 1730 1335* SV0038 77L Nonstop
JEDDAH
25 Mar 03 Jun - - - Th Fr - Su 1730 1315* SV0036 77L Nonstop
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- L1011Lover
- Posts: 736
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RE: Saudi Arabian Airlines' Future At IAD
Well I flew out of IAD last night... and the SV 777 was there... the crew even passed through security right before we did... So not that much of a mystery to me... lol... I fly quite frequently into IAD and almost always happen to see the SV a/c and crew... they seem to arrive and leave at around the same time we do, as sometimes they're ahead of us or behind us in either immigration or security.
Best regards
L1011Lover
Best regards
L1011Lover
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- FriendlySkies
- Posts: 3540
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RE: Saudi Arabian Airlines' Future At IAD
I flew into IAD last Friday around 4, and left last Sunday around 5, and their 777 was at the A gates both times.
RE: Saudi Arabian Airlines' Future At IAD
I read somewhere that SV are adding more flights to IAD from both JED and RUH in the summer.
I am against any terrorist acts committed under the name of Islam
RE: Saudi Arabian Airlines' Future At IAD
SV has been flying to IAD for at least 20 years. The last several years they have really developed the station well and are going from 5 flights a week to 6 for the summer. As apposed to the past when the flight went through JFK both directions and used a hardstand, they fly nonstop to the kingdom. They have there own ticket counter and share gate A15 with QR. The A and B terminal is the nicest at IAD, and the reason why you don't see the gate all decorated out is that is a shared gate and markings are limited. Nobody uses that gate exept SV from 1400-1800 and then QR gets towed over for there departure later in the evening. Even with the increased compition, they still do well at IAD.
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- alphaomega
- Posts: 267
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RE: Saudi Arabian Airlines' Future At IAD
SV are increasing to 6 flights a week (3 to JED, 3 to RUH) so you'll see their 772 (not really a 77L, which is SV's internal code for differentiating the cabin configs on their 772s) at the A gates every day except Tuesday between 1400 and 1800 for the near future.
As for ET and EK entering IAD, it may not have a huge impact on SV as since QR entered, they've only grown (from 2x week to now 6x a week) and most of their current traffic is not as much transfers as it is local. I think EK and ET will have a bigger impact on KL, AF, KE, and some of the others with offering alternate connections to Asia, specifically India. That being said, KL has increased their flights this summer when they've never offered more than daily service so who knows!
As for ET and EK entering IAD, it may not have a huge impact on SV as since QR entered, they've only grown (from 2x week to now 6x a week) and most of their current traffic is not as much transfers as it is local. I think EK and ET will have a bigger impact on KL, AF, KE, and some of the others with offering alternate connections to Asia, specifically India. That being said, KL has increased their flights this summer when they've never offered more than daily service so who knows!
RE: Saudi Arabian Airlines' Future At IAD
Another sign of SV at IAD is the ticketing office they have at the baggage claim area witha nice picture of a horse and a SV 777 on iit advertising the flights to KSA.
Regards,
Chepos
Regards,
Chepos
Fly the Flag!!!!
RE: Saudi Arabian Airlines' Future At IAD
There are a lot of Saudi visitors in the DC area...A quick trip to Tyson's Corner or Tyson's Galleria and you will be sure to come across a lot of Saudis spending money left and right. I don't think EK's entry into the market will cause a dent into their business.
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- Viscount724
- Posts: 19316
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RE: Saudi Arabian Airlines' Future At IAD
| Quoting swedenflyer (Thread starter): It is strange to me because although the IAD website and SV website say that they fly to IAD, their service seems like a complete mystery to me. |
What's so mysterious about it? Systems currently show the following SV flights to/from IAD:
SV33 JED 0730 IAD 1400 Sunday
SV35 JED 0730 IAD 1400 Thursday, Friday
SV37 RUH 0730 IAD 1400 Monday, Wednesday, Saturday
SV34 IAD 1800 JED 1315+1 Thursday
SV36 IAD 1800 JED 1315+1 Friday, Sunday
SV38 IAD 1800 RUH 1335+1 Monday, Wednesday, Saturday
So 6 days a week they arrive IAD at 1400 and leave at 1800, 3 flights each to JED and RUH, all B777. Doesn't seem very mysterious.
RE: Saudi Arabian Airlines' Future At IAD
I think people expect there to be SV staff and a dedicated gate visible at all times. As stated earlier, IAD is a more like the airports in Europe, where multiple carriers share the same gates. You just have to be there at the right time to see them, and 4p-6p is likely the only time to see SV activity within the terminal. Luckily, SV has its own counter with fixed signage, so they're always "present" even if their staff aren't.
RE: Saudi Arabian Airlines' Future At IAD
| Quoting yegbey01 (Reply 8): There are a lot of Saudi visitors in the DC area... |
Times have sure changed. When I was a little one living in Saudia City, we would occasionally take the US bound flights off of a holiday time and those flights would be deserted. Any time right after a school holiday started, Saudia could have sent three fully packed 747s on those days. But I do remember multiple flights with no more than 50 people on board.
Good for them, they were good to us for 20+ years, I'm glad it's working for them year round.
Keep on truckin'...
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- washingtonian
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RE: Saudi Arabian Airlines' Future At IAD
| Quoting usdcaguy (Reply 10): As stated earlier, IAD is a more like the airports in Europe, where multiple carriers share the same gates |
This is the case at a lot of American airports these days. I dare say even most international terminals.
I believe IAD Concourse A/B is entirely common use, but in practice the same airlines generally use the same gates every day.
As mentioned, QR and SV usually operate from the same gate with QR's arrival usually being to a hardstand and then a departure from the gate. I believe this is because QR's 77W arrives right in the peak of the international rush and no actual gates are available (SV's flight arrives about an hour earlier). Also probably matches the DOH experience!
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