Saudia transforms the Hajj experience

Travel Daily News

27-05-2025

Saudia transforms Hajj 2025 with end-to-end services, modern innovations, expanded Southeast Asia routes, and enhanced comfort for millions of global pilgrims.
Saudia, the national flag carrier of Saudi Arabia, is reshaping the future of Hajj travel. With a bold and visionary approach, the airline is transforming the pilgrimage experience for 2025 and the years ahead – not only as a carrier but as a complete service partner for pilgrims of Southeast Asia and beyond.
This year marks a historic milestone for Saudia as it steps beyond traditional air operations to take on a leading role in shaping a complete Hajj experience. For the first time, Saudia is delivering end-to-end support – from dedicated flight services to on the ground logistics and hospitality – redefining how care, innovation, and scale are brought to one of the world's most significant pilgrimages.
In preparation for the 2025 Hajj season, Saudia is allocating over one million seats utilizing a modern fleet of 158 aircraft. With a projected market share of up to 35%, the airline will serve pilgrims from over 100 global destinations. The end-to-end travel experience is designed to maximize comfort and efficiency, from ticket issuance to streamlined arrival and departure processes. Saudia is also coordinating extensively with public and private sector partners to ensure smooth operations across all airport touchpoints, with more than 11,000 frontline staff and aircraft maintenance technicians mobilized to serve pilgrims across a 74-day operational window.
H.E. Engr. Ibrahim Al-Omar, Director General of Saudia, said: 'Hajj remains one of our top national priorities. This year, we're proud to not only manage air operations at full capacity but to also extend our role to become a direct service provider to pilgrims. Through this expansion, we aim to deliver a holistic experience that meets the highest standards of care and hospitality.'
He continued, 'We're investing over SAR 100 million in Makkah, Madinah, and the holy sites to provide pilgrims with thoughtfully curated service packages, to redefine the concept of Hajj service delivery, setting a new standard for excellence.'
The airline is set to transport tens of thousands of pilgrims from Southeast Asia for the Hajj season that is set to run from June 4 to 9, depending on lunar observation. In anticipation of this, there will be increasing flight frequency to meet the strong demand coming from Indonesia, Malaysia, and Singapore, three of the leading contributors to the global Hajj pilgrim population. Through a unified approach, Saudia Group are introducing end-to-end solutions that cater to the evolving needs of modern pilgrims.
To enhance the pilgrimage experience, Saudia Group is offering a comprehensive range of services designed for comfort, convenience, and inclusivity. These include streamlined boarding pass issuance for both outbound and return flights at departure airports, along with multilingual staff fluent in Indonesian and English to ensure smooth communication and exceptional service throughout the journey. At the holy sites, pilgrims will benefit from special accommodation, dedicated rest areas, and two restaurants, in addition to coffee and snack lounges inspired by AlFursan lounges. Onboard, travelers can enjoy diverse meal options, timely prayer and Miqat announcements, and specially curated instructional programs developed in collaboration with the Ministry of Hajj and Umrah. Additional services for individuals with special needs – such as transportation for people with disabilities, onboard oxygen, and medical stretcher services—will also be available.
Among Saudia's most notable innovations this year is the launch of 'The Coolest Ihram' – the world's first high-tech Ihram garment, introduced on World Creativity and Innovation Day. Designed in collaboration with Landor and brrr, the garment features patented cooling minerals, active wicking, and rapid-drying technology that can reduce skin temperature by up to 2°C. It offers UPF 50+ protection while remaining fully compliant with Islamic requirements for both men and women, creating a safer and more comfortable environment for pilgrims under extreme conditions. It will be available to Saudia guests from June 2025.
By combining scale, service, and smart innovation, Saudia is leading this Hajj with purpose and precision. Backed by the resources and strategic vision of Saudia Group, the airline is not only supporting Saudi Arabia's Vision 2030 goals – it is reimagining how millions experience this sacred journey.