Stay Connected: Saudia Launches Inaugural Flight with Onboard Internet
Saudia, the national flag carrier of Saudi Arabia, has operated its first fully internet-enabled flight, as part of a pilot launch to test the service and gather guest feedback ahead of the commercial rollout.
The flight was fully equipped with high-speed Wi-Fi, Saudia Group said in a press release. The high-capacity connection delivers stable speeds of up to 300 Mbps, with future upgrades planned to exceed 800 Mbps.
Onboard Internet
The innovative service allows passengers to browse the internet, broadcast live content, and attend virtual meetings on platforms such as Zoom and Teams without interruption.
Moreover, it supports high-quality streaming from prominent entertainment platforms, including Netflix, Shahid, and Amazon Prime. It also enables users to connect multiple devices, such as smartphones, laptops, and tablets, and smoothly switch between them for an uninterrupted online experience throughout the flight.
The move marks a key milestone in Saudia’s efforts to enhance the travel experience and underscores the airline’s commitment to its digital transformation strategy and aviation excellence, in line with the Kingdom’s ambitions under Vision 2030.
Upon its official rollout, the service will be available to all Saudia’s passengers for free, emphasizing the carrier’s commitment to advancing digital transformation and integrating the latest technologies across the aviation sector.
Firsthand Experience
The Saudi Transport Minister and Chairman of Saudi Arabian Airlines Corporation, Saleh Al-Jasser, and the Director-General of Saudia, Ibrahim Al-Omar, experienced the high-speed inflight connectivity aboard a demonstration flight at an altitude of 35,000 feet.
During the flight, the two officials watched a live football match, joined a live TV interview, and held a video call with the Saudi Communications Minister, Abdullah Alswaha.
H.E. @SalehAlJasser, Minister of Transport and Logistics Services and Chairman of Saudia, and H.E. @ibrahimAl_Omar, Director General of #Saudia, experienced the high-speed inflight connectivity firsthand. The demonstration included a live video call with H.E. @aalswaha,… pic.twitter.com/Ci8jG1moFC
— Saudia Group | مجموعة السعودية (@SaudiaGroup) November 1, 2025
On this occasion, the Saudi Transport Minister highlighted the significance of the new service. “Inflight internet is no longer a luxury, but an essential service and a strategic enabler within the Kingdom’s aviation and air transport transformation program,” Al-Jasser said, urging Saudia to accelerate the service’s rollout.
Official Launch
Meanwhile, Saudia’s Director-General praised the new accomplishment. “We take great pride in Saudia’s ongoing journey to redefine the travel experience through innovation and digital excellence,” he said.
“The introduction of our high-speed Wi-Fi marks an important step forward, and the service will soon be available free of charge to all guests onboard, reflecting our commitment to providing a fully connected digital experience that deepens guest loyalty and strengthens Saudia’s position as their preferred airline,” Al-Omar noted.
“To date, 20 aircraft have been equipped with this new service. The rollout will extend across the entire Saudia fleet, including the current aircraft and those scheduled for delivery, and is expected to be completed once all regulatory requirements are finalized,” he added.
