Saudia Airlines has achieved a significant milestone in regional aviation with the debut of its first fully internet-enabled aircraft, marking a key advancement in the carrier’s digital transformation strategy and Saudi Arabia’s broader technology ambitions.
The trial flight, designated SV1044, was conducted at an altitude of 35,000 feet and featured a live demonstration with Saleh Al-Jasser, Minister of Transport and Logistic Services and Chairman of the Board of Directors of Saudi Arabian Airlines Corporation, and Eng. Ibrahim bin Abdulrahman Al-Omar, Director General of Saudia Group.
The onboard WiFi system currently delivers connection speeds of up to 300 megabits per second, with potential upgrades to exceed 800 Mbps in future iterations. Once officially rolled out, the service will be provided free of charge to all passengers across every travel class.
The system enables passengers to browse the internet, stream live content, participate in video calls, access virtual meetings, and seamlessly switch between multiple devices without interruption during flight operations.
During the test flight, Minister Al-Jasser watched a live Saudi Pro League match, held a video call with Abdullah Alswaha, Minister of Communications and Information Technology, and conducted a live television interview—all powered by the aircraft’s high-speed internet connection.
“The in-flight connectivity represents both a technological luxury and an essential service, serving as a strategic component of Saudi Arabia’s aviation transformation programme,”
said Minister Al-Jasser, who called for expedited implementation across Saudia’s entire fleet.
Eng. Al-Omar confirmed that nearly 20 aircraft have already been equipped with the new connectivity system. Plans are underway to expand to the entire Saudia fleet and all incoming aircraft once legal and regulatory procedures are completed.
The initiative reflects Saudia’s broader commitment to delivering a fully integrated digital travel experience and positioning the airline among a select group of global carriers offering multi-device, high-speed, low-latency inflight connectivity.
The introduction of high-speed in-flight internet aligns with Saudi Arabia’s digital transformation strategy under Vision 2030 and supports the Kingdom’s ambition to build a future-ready air transport ecosystem. This move is part of the region’s broader commitment to technological advancement and digital innovation, with similar initiatives gaining momentum across the Gulf.
By integrating cutting-edge connectivity technology, Saudia aims to redefine passenger expectations and elevate the modern travel experience to new standards in the Middle East and beyond.
