Saudia has unveiled a premium economy seat that will enter service on newly delivered Boeing 787s in 2027, the Saudi flag carrier said on November 3.
The cabin sits between economy and business class. It will also be fitted to selected existing Airbus A330 and Boeing 777 and 787 aircraft in a phased retrofit, giving the airline a new fare product across a network of around 100 destinations served by 156 aircraft.
Gulf peer Emirates is taking its own A350 Premium Economy cabin to Durban from March 2027.
The Saudia seat offers up to 43 inches (109 cm) of pitch, a 15.5-inch entertainment screen, an extendable calf rest, extra privacy and more personal storage. The airline presented it at World Travel Market (WTM) London.
“The introduction of Premium Economy marks another step in enhancing the choices and comfort available to our guests,” said Arved von zur Muehlen, chief commercial officer at Saudia. The cabin is part of the fleet modernisation and cabin refurbishment programme under the airline’s New Saudia Experience initiative.
Saudia also showed the business class cabin of its Airbus A321XLR, which joined the fleet this year. It is the first carrier in the Middle East and Africa to fly the type, which it configures with 24 fully flat business suites with direct aisle access and 120 economy seats.
Founded in 1945, Saudia has been a member of the SkyTeam alliance since 2012. Cirium ranked it first globally for on-time performance from May to July.
