Saudia Partners with Collins Aerospace for new Closed-Door Business Class Suites

Saudia, the national flag carrier of Saudi Arabia, is charting a course towards a redefined passenger experience through a strategic partnership with Collins Aerospace. 

The Jeddah-based carrier, which carried over 30 million guests in 2023, is embarking on a groundbreaking journey to revamp its fleet – inside and out – by joining forces with North American aviation manufacturer Collins Aerospace in a game-changing move to upgrade the interiors of the airline’s brand-new Boeing 787 Dreamliner fleet.

Photo: Courtesy of Saudia

Saudia’s forthcoming 787s will be delivered with all-new seats crafted by Collins Aerospace exclusively for the airline. Anticipated for delivery in early 2026, these seats will be engineered for remarkable comfort and sophistication, signaling a notable advancement in Saudia’s commitment to passenger well-being and satisfaction.

In addition to the Dreamliner upgrade, Saudia’s existing Airbus A330 and Boeing 777 fleet are in line for a comprehensive seat retrofit program. Set to launch in late 2025 and conclude by late 2027, this initiative aims to seamlessly blend functionality and aesthetics, ensuring an enhanced travel experience for passengers across all aircraft models.

Saudia Private Suites Are Coming

With the new cabin upgrades, Saudia is raising the bar with the introduction of private suites in all Business Class cabins across its wide-body fleet.

This offering helps the SkyTeam alliance member ramp up its current in-flight offering and compete against other Middle East carriers, namely Qatar Airways, Etihad Airways, and Emirates, which offer closed-door suites in both Business and First Class on most aircraft.

Photo: First Class Suite concept. Courtesy of Collins Aerospace

Beyond cabin upgrades, Saudia and Collins Aerospace’s partnership emphasizes the importance of regional empowerment. Saudia Technic, a vital subsidiary of Saudia Group, will play a crucial role in establishing localized repair capabilities and spare manufacturing to ensure the new hard product is well-catered for maintenance and serviceability.

“This partnership represents a significant step forward in our commitment to offer exceptional comfort and convenience to our guests,” said Rossen Dimitrov, Chief Customer Experience Officer at Saudia. 

“We are thrilled to join forces with Collins Aerospace to introduce state-of-the-art Business and Economy Class seats into our new fleet, as well as retrofit our existing fleet’s interiors,” he added.

Cynthia Muklevicz, Vice President of Business Development at Collins Aerospace, echoed Dimitrov’s sentiments, saying, “This partnership not only expands our longstanding relationship but also supports the transformative airline growth underway at Saudia.” 

Photo: Boeing 787 Economy Class. Courtesy of Saudia

Muklevicz emphasized Collins Aerospace’s commitment to delivering innovative solutions that redefine the standards of comfort and luxury in air travel.

Dimitrov emphasized the development of new capabilities in Jeddah as a sign of Saudia’s commitment to promoting local expertise and economic progress. When asked about the type of seats the airline plans to acquire from Collins Aerospace, the executive declined to comment, stating that it is a surprise that the airline’s customers will enjoy.

The Arab country is working hard to transform its economy and become a leading global tourist destination within the next decade. Saudia, the country’s national airline, has already started operating flights to and from the newly built Red Sea International Airport (RSI). This airport is the gateway to the Red Sea Project, a grand luxury tourist hub and part of Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman’s Saudi Vision 2030 project. 

Photo: Saudia, Boeing 787-9 and -10 Dreamliner. Courtesy of Boeing

Saudia is also upgrading its airport, cabin, and customer service offerings to enhance passenger experience. The airline’s partnership with Collins Aerospace evidences innovation and focus on passenger well-being and regional empowerment.

Passengers can expect an elevated travel experience that blends innovation, comfort, and style as the partnership unfolds. Stay tuned for more updates.