This article has been reviewed by Wego‘s editorial team to ensure that the content is up to date & accurate.

Updated November 2024

Key takeaways 
  • Qatar Airways offers the cheapest first-class tickets to multiple destinations from Saudi.
  • Kuwait Airways and Emirates follow as affordable alternatives for first-class travel, combining comfort and value for money.
  • Emirates provides first-class flights with standout amenities including private suites, onboard spas, and fine dining.

Which airlines provide the cheapest first-class tickets from KSA?

On Wego, you will find several airlines that offer first-class cabins to international destinations from Riyadh and Jeddah. We compared prices for a few popular first-class routes to show you which airline offers the best value for your buck.

Please note: Prices are accurate at the time of writing and are subject to change. They reflect research done for flights in December.

Saudi – UK (London)

This route is served by four airlines offering first-class cabins: Qatar Airways, British Airways, Emirates, and Saudia. 

Jeddah to London 

Let’s compare the prices of a one-way first-class flight from Jeddah to London on 5 December 2024:

  • Saudia (Airbus 1052 – 1 layover): SAR 30,666
  • Qatar Airways (Boeing 787 – 1 layover): SAR 4757
  • British Airways (Boeing 787 – direct): SAR 20,904
  • Emirates (Airbus A380 – 1 layover): SAR 19,951

Riyadh to London

Air tickets follow the same pattern when flying from Riyadh to London on 5 December 2024:

  • Saudia (Boeing 777 – direct): SAR 27,910
  • Qatar Airways (Boeing 777 – 1 layover): SAR 12,526
  • British Airways (1 layover): SAR 15,225
  • Emirates (Boeing 777 – 1 layover): SAR 27,258

We explored various flight dates throughout the week and found the same result: Qatar Airways first class consistently offers the best value for flights to London, with airfares up to 50% lower compared to others. 

Book cheap flights from Saudi Arabia to London Book cheap flights from Saudi Arabia to London

 

Saudi – Egypt (Cairo)

This route is served by four airlines offering first-class cabins: EgyptAir, Qatar Airways, and Kuwait Airways.

Jeddah to Cairo

Let’s compare the prices of a one-way first-class flight from Jeddah to Cairo on 6 December 2024:

  • Qatar Airways (Boeing 787 – 1 layover): SAR 11,004 
  • EgyptAir (1 layover): SAR 25,406
  • Kuwait Airways (1 layover): SAR 4,287

Riyadh to Cairo

Air tickets follow the pattern below for prices from Riyadh to Cairo on 5 December 2024: 

  • Qatar Airways (Airbus A359 – 1 layover): SAR 23,600 
  • EgyptAir (1 layover): SAR 28,074
  • Kuwait Airways (Airbus A320 – 1 layover): SAR 3,797

We checked for different flight dates throughout the week and noticed that Kuwait Airways offers the best deal when flying to Cairo—relatively cheaper flights on all days of the week than other airlines. 

Book cheap flights from Saudi Arabia to Cairo Book cheap flights from Saudi Arabia to Cairo

 

Saudi – Malaysia (Kuala Lumpur)

This route is served mainly by three airlines offering first-class cabins: Qatar Airways, Malaysia Airlines and Emirates.

Jeddah to Kuala Lumpur

Let’s compare the prices of a one-way first-class flight from Jeddah to Kuala Lumpur on 4 December 2024:

  • Qatar Airways (1 layover): SAR 6,523 
  • Emirates (2 layovers): SAR 11,747
  • Malaysia Airlines (1 layover): SAR 10,395

Riyadh to Kuala Lumpur

Air tickets follow the pattern below for prices from Riyadh to Kuala Lumpur on 4 December 2024: 

  • Qatar Airways (1 layover): SAR 5,261 
  • Emirates (Boeing 777 – 1 layover): SAR 17,668
  • Malaysia Airlines (1 layover): SAR 7,175

We checked for different flight dates throughout the week and noticed that Qatar Airways offers the best deal when flying to Kuala Lumpur—relatively cheaper flights on all days of the week than other airlines. 

Book cheap flights from Saudi Arabia to Kuala Lumpur Book cheap flights from Saudi Arabia to Kuala Lumpur

 

Saudi – Turkey (Istanbul)

This route is served by four airlines offering first-class cabins: British Airways, Qatar Airways, Emirates and Kuwait Airways.

Jeddah to Istanbul

Let’s compare the prices of a one-way first-class flight from Jeddah to Istanbul on 4 December 2024:

  • Qatar Airways (2 layovers): SAR 7,342 
  • British Airways (Boeing 787 – 1 layover): SAR 14,994 
  • Emirates (Airbus A380 – 1 layover): SAR 17,126
  • Kuwait Airways (Boeing 777 – 1 layover): SAR 7,351

Riyadh to Istanbul

Air tickets follow the pattern below for prices from Riyadh to Istanbul on 4 December 2024: 

  • Qatar Airways (1 layover): SAR 4,939
  • British Airways (1 layover): SAR 17,778
  • Emirates (Boeing 737 – 1 layover): SAR 24,131
  • Kuwait Airways (1 layover): SAR 18,360

We checked for different flight dates throughout the week and noticed that Qatar Airways offers the best deal when flying to Istanbul—relatively cheaper flights on all days of the week than other airlines. 

Book cheap flights from Saudi Arabia to Istanbul Book cheap flights from Saudi Arabia to Istanbul

 

Conclusion

Best value

We have run flight price comparisons to a few more destinations from Saudi Arabia, and Qatar Airways often emerges as the top winner in most scenarios, with only a few exceptions. 

Best for luxury

When it comes to the cost of ticket prices and access to the routes, amenities, and facilities, Emirates sets a new standard for luxury in the sky. The airline offers enclosed cabins for a private jet experience, fine dining anytime, an onboard shower spa, and a sophisticated lounge bar. Adjust your cabin’s lighting and temperature to your preference, relish in your personal suites and drift into a serene slumber amidst the clouds.

We recommend checking your flight schedule on Wego to nab the cheapest first-class tickets.

How do the routes and amenities compare?

According to the airlines mentioned above, below is a detailed list of destinations served and amenities offered by them, along with a comprehensive comparison.

Qatar Airways

Destinations served 

Qatar Airways serves first class cabin to a select destinations:

  • Europe: UK, France, Belgium, etc 
  • US: New York, etc. 
  • Asia: Thailand, Singapore, India, Pakistan etc. 
  • Middle East: UAE, Oman, Kuwait etc
  • Oceania: Australia

Book on Wego and Get a Discount on Your Qatar Airways Ticket

 

Amenities

Ranked amongst the World’s Best First Class Airlines of 2024 list, Qatar Airways redefines luxury with its exceptional amenities:

  • Spacious cabin seats that transform into fully lie-flat beds for ultimate comfort.
  • Dedicated workspace equipped with laptop power, USB ports, onboard Wi-Fi, and access to 8,000+ entertainment options.
  • Tailored signature dishes and an à la carte menu available on demand.
  • Premium Diptyque amenity kits and loungewear by The White Company for a touch of elegance.

British Airways 

Destinations served

British Airways serves first-class cabins to select destinations:

  • Europe: UK, Netherlands, Poland, Greece etc 
  • US: New York, Miami, etc. 
  • Asia: India, Malaysia, Pakistan etc. 
  • Middle East: Kuwait, UAE etc
  • Oceania: Sydney

Book on Wego and Get a Discount on Your British Airways Ticket

 

Amenities 

Ranking amongst the World’s Best First Class Airlines of 2024 list, your journey with British Airways will be enhanced by the following luxurious amenities before and during your flight:

  • Generous baggage allowance, priority check-in, and boarding.
  • Access to luxurious lounges, including the HAYYAK Lounge at Terminal 3 in Riyadh (RUH) and the Aerotel Lobby Lounge at Terminal 1 in Jeddah (JED).
  • Anytime dining on exquisite crockery designed by renowned British designers.
  • Private, suite-like cabins with a flatbed and HD flat-screen, connected to Paramount+.
  • A Temperley amenity bag featuring seven luxury skincare products from Elemis UK, along with Temperley London loungewear and slippers.

Emirates

Destinations served

Emirates serves first-class cabins to select destinations:

  • Europe: UK, France, Belgium, Switzerland, etc 
  • US: New York, Chicago, etc. 
  • Africa: Ethiopia (Addis Ababa) etc
  • Middle East: Kuwait, UAE, Oman, Qatar, etc. 
  • Asia: Thailand, Japan, Singapore etc. 

Amenities

Consistently being ranked in the top 10 airlines in the world this decade and securing the third position for World’s Best First Class Airlines of 2024, here’s what Emirates’ First Class cabins of Emirates A380 & Boeing 777 offer you high up in the sky:

Emirates A380 
  • The sensation of flying in your own private jet with enclosed cabin space.
  • Fine dining at your convenience throughout the flight.
  • An onboard shower spa and indulge in the ultimate lounge bar, just a short stroll from your cabin.
Boeing 777
  • The luxury of having access to a personal suite in the sky. 
  • “Game-changing technology” that allows you to control the temperature and lighting to match your mood. 
  • Virtual windows 
  • Soft leather seating similar to that of a Mercedes-Benz S-Class.

Emirates’ first-class cabins offer travelers the luxury of converting their seats into fully flat beds, along with access to premium comforts such as Bulgari fragrance, exclusive skincare and spa products, and sleep sets including loungewear and slippers.

Saudia Airlines 

Destinations served 

Saudia Airlines serves first-class cabins to select destinations:

  • Europe: France, UK 
  • US: New York, Los Angeles. 
  • Asia: United Arab Emirates (Dubai), Singapore. 

Amenities 

When you fly with Saudia Airlines, you are embraced by the Middle Eastern hospitality even before the flight takes off. With an “Ahlan Wasahlan,” a range of fresh fruit juice and cardamom-flavored Arabic coffee along with succulent dates, you get a glimpse of this is how we fly.  

Part of the top ten of the World’s Best First Class Airlines of 2024 list, Saudia Airlines offers you the following facilities with your first-class ticket:

  • Up-to 180 degrees reclinable seats equipped with a fully electronic control footrest and an adjustable headrest to assure you comfort during your entire flight. 
  • A high-tech entertainment system provides you with videos and games for on-demand entertainment. 
  • Constantly updated maps from the aircraft’s navigational system and an option to view forward and downward-facing views of the airplane on the screen—just like the pilot. 
  • Shop with the SkySales catalog and deliver your new purchases to your address through their mailing system. 
  • SAUDIA is a member of the prestigious Chaine des Rotisseurs—so do not be surprised if you crave a taste of their delicious food after you have landed at your destination. Their meal includes Arabian and Western dishes other than six hors d’oeuvres, including two hot choices and caviar.
  • Overnight kits with necessary items like dental hygiene kits, skincare items, USB cords, and more.  

 

[Total: 164 Average: 4.7]