Superdeals: 40–80% off flights from North America to Saudi Arabia

Direct flight routes to Saudi Arabia

Non-stop flights between North America and Saudi Arabia are limited but available from select cities.

• New York (JFK) to Jeddah (JED) – Saudia – 12h 15m


• Washington DC (IAD) to Jeddah (JED) – Saudia – 12h 35m


• Los Angeles (LAX) to Jeddah (JED) – Saudia – 15h 40m

Layover/stopover options

Dubai (DXB) – Emirates hub offering frequent connections to Saudi cities. Average connection time 2-3 hours. Modern terminal with excellent shopping and dining options.

Doha (DOH) – Qatar Airways primary hub. Efficient connections averaging 2 hours. Award-winning terminal with complimentary city tours for longer layovers.

Istanbul (IST) – Turkish Airlines hub with connections to multiple Saudi cities. Average layover 3-4 hours. Convenient location between continents with option for stopover programs.

London Heathrow (LHR) – British Airways connections with typical 3-hour layovers. Multiple daily flights to Saudi Arabia but requires UK transit visa for longer connections.

Time vs money

Direct flights typically command premium prices but save 4-8 hours of total travel time. One-stop flights through Middle Eastern hubs often offer better value and more schedule flexibility.

Tips and recommendations

• Book mixed-carrier itineraries to access better pricing, especially combining Gulf carriers with their US partners.


• Consider departing from alternative US hubs like Chicago or Boston for better deals on one-stop flights.


• Middle Eastern carriers often offer free stopover programs, effectively giving you two destinations for the price of one.


• Direct flights have better availability during religious holiday seasons but command significantly higher prices.


• Morning departures from the US typically result in more convenient arrival times in Saudi Arabia.

• Turkish Airlines offers consistently lower fares to Saudi cities via Istanbul, often 15-20% below market average. Their Economy class on Boeing 787s features 31-inch pitch seats with upgraded entertainment systems. Connection times in Istanbul are typically under 4 hours, with excellent lounge access for even Economy passengers.
• Flying through Abu Dhabi on Etihad from Chicago, New York, or Toronto provides competitive fares and superior comfort with their A350-1000 aircraft featuring extra-wide Economy seats. Their March 2024 partnership with Turkish Airlines has expanded connection options and often yields better pricing to secondary Saudi cities like Medina and Dammam.
• Royal Jordanian’s routes via Amman offer surprisingly good value, especially from Montreal and Detroit, with fares averaging 25% lower than direct Gulf carrier options. Their newly refurbished Boeing 787-8 fleet features enhanced legroom in Economy at 32 inches, making the longer flight time more comfortable.
• The Egypt Air network through Cairo provides budget-friendly options to Saudi Arabia, with particularly good deals from New York and Toronto. Their recent fleet modernization with Airbus A320neo aircraft on regional routes has improved the comfort level significantly, though longer total travel times should be considered.
• Kuwait Airways often flies under the radar but offers exceptional value from New York JFK and Chicago to Saudi destinations via Kuwait City. Their new Terminal 4 at Kuwait International has drastically improved connection experiences, and their A330neo aircraft feature modern interiors with 32-inch pitch in Economy.

1. Ignoring transit visa requirements in connecting cities Many travelers get stranded at airports in common transit points like Istanbul, Dubai, or Doha because they didn’t check if they needed a transit visa for their layover.
2. Booking flights that arrive during peak prayer times Arriving in Saudi Arabia during one of the five daily prayer times can result in long waits at immigration and customs as operations temporarily pause.
3. Not considering the seasonal Hajj period Booking flights to Saudi Arabia during the annual Hajj pilgrimage (dates vary yearly) leads to extremely high fares and limited availability on most routes from North America.
4. Choosing Medina over Jeddah for Mecca visits While Medina’s airport is modern, Jeddah’s King Abdulaziz International Airport is actually closer to Mecca and offers more international connections from North America.
5. Booking last-minute during Ramadan Waiting too late to book flights during the holy month of Ramadan results in significantly higher fares, as this is one of the busiest times for travel to Saudi Arabia from North America.

Turkish Airlines

Best for: Most extensive North American route network to Saudi Arabia with service from 12 US and Canadian cities, including New York (JFK), Chicago (ORD), and Toronto (YYZ).

All flights connect through Istanbul with typically short layovers of 2-4 hours. Economy Class offers generous 32-inch seat pitch and well-reviewed Turkish cuisine. Passengers consistently rate their Economy experience above 4/5, praising the complimentary amenity kits and entertainment selection. The airline serves all major Saudi cities including Jeddah, Riyadh, and Medina.

Emirates

Best for: Superior inflight experience and entertainment, flying from 9 North American gateways, primarily Boston (BOS), Houston (IAH), and New York (JFK).

Dubai connection is efficient with modern terminal facilities. Economy Class features comfortable seats with 33-inch pitch and high-quality entertainment systems with 4,500+ channels. Regionally inspired meals and attentive service receive high passenger ratings. Multiple daily connections to Saudi destinations make schedule planning flexible.

Qatar Airways

Best for: Premium service quality and reliability, operating from 7 North American cities, mainly New York (JFK), Chicago (ORD), and Montreal (YUL).

Doha hub offers smooth connections with modern facilities. Economy Class provides 32-inch seat pitch with adjustable headrests and high-quality entertainment. Their dining program features regional and international options. Passengers regularly rate their Economy experience 4.5/5, noting consistent service quality and punctuality.

Etihad Airways

Best for: Comfort-focused Economy experience from 4 North American gateways, including New York (JFK), Chicago (ORD), and Toronto (YYZ).

Abu Dhabi connections are well-timed with modern terminal facilities. Economy Smart seats offer enhanced comfort with 32-inch pitch and fixed-wing headrests. The airline receives high marks for their meal service featuring Arabic and international cuisine. Their “Choose Well” program allows Economy passengers to customize their journey with extra amenities.

Save money on flights to Saudi Arabia using APAC carriers

Savvy travelers can leverage Asian regional carriers to significantly reduce costs when flying from North America to Saudi Arabia. This strategy, known as “segment splitting,” involves breaking up your journey into separate bookings.

1. Book a discounted fare to major Asian hubs like Manila, Bangkok, or Kuala Lumpur using carriers such as Korean Air, Japan Airlines, or EVA Air. These routes often have competitive pricing due to high traffic volume.
2. Connect to Saudi Arabia using regional carriers like AirAsia, Cebu Pacific, or Scoot for the second leg. These airlines typically offer lower fares than mainstream carriers for routes into the Middle East.
3. Time your bookings strategically by purchasing Asian regional flights during promotional periods, which occur frequently throughout the year.

While this approach requires more planning and may involve longer layovers, savings can reach 30-40% compared to traditional single-ticket bookings. Consider building in a 24-hour stopover in Asia to ensure comfortable connections and potentially explore an additional destination. Remember to factor in baggage fees and terminal transfers when calculating total costs.