SAUDI Arabian Airlines (SAUDIA), the national flag carrier of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, has listened to the overwhelmingly positive feedback from its guests on a recently launched complimentary onboard data connectivity package.

WhatsApp needs no introduction. A global application that connects people and places, it is one of the most popular social media messaging applications in the world, and a favorite of the Middle East.

When SAUDIA launched a free WhatsApp package in May this year for all domestic flights within Saudi Arabia and some selected international routes, guests experienced an added step in their inflight experience onboard. Guests could interact, send messages and communicate with loved ones and business partners, at 40,000 feet – free of charge.

Following the response to the Free WhatsApp Plan, the carrier worked quickly to expand the free WhatsApp package onboard all flights – in addition to domestic, now adding all international routes as well.

The complimentary WhatsApp plan is unique, and is offered on all flights that are enabled with Wi-Fi connectivity.

How it works is that each guest – regardless of which class of travel – can access free text messaging via Whatsapp by logging into a specially-created plan on the SAUDIA inflight web portal.

The onboard Wi-Fi experience is simple and easy-to-use with a two-step login process which the guest can selects upon choosing their package.

The new free Whatsapp Plan includes a 10 Mbs data limit and is configured for text messaging only.

The SAUDIA fleet that has Wi-Fi connectivity includes the Boeing 777, Boeing 787, Airbus A320 and Airbus A330.

Currently, SAUDIA offers internet options on 47 destinations across all regions the airline flies to, including: domestic flights within Saudi Arabia; GCC; Middle East; Africa, Asia; United States and Canada.

The airline is the first carrier in the Middle East to offer a special WhatsApp data plan free of charge, for all passengers.

SAUDIA utilizes the Sitaonair system – an inflight Wi-Fi hub providing seamless inflight Internet connectivity to travelers. The user-experience has been enhanced with faster speeds, a new sleeker, more intuitive design, with improved navigation and user interface.

SAUDIA currently operates flights to 90 destinations across four continents, with a mixed fleet of narrow and wide-body Airbus and Boeing aircraft. — SG