Jeddah King Abdulaziz Intl Airport (JED) Flights & Flight Status

Jeddah King Abdulaziz International Airport (JED or known locally as KAIA) is the primary gateway to Jeddah and Mecca, a major holy site for the Muslim faith. This is the busiest airport in Saudi Arabia. Hajj and Umrah pilgrims visit Mecca at least once in their life. As a result, the airport is well-connected with cities around the world. Over the years, it has been modernised to handle the growing traffic, and as the country has loosened tourist visa restrictions, international tourism has grown. This guide will help you navigate the terminal, whether you are connecting to another flight or Jeddah-bound.

Which terminal will you use?

There are two main terminals at JED, one of the busiest airports in the Middle East. One is dedicated to Hajj and Umrah charter flights. All other commercial flights use the newly built terminal, which is shaped like a gigantic, stylized and capitalised letter I, with international and domestic wings. Other people say it looks more like two boomerangs put together back-to-back.

Hajj terminal

The white, tent-like design of this terminal is quite attractive and may remind frequent travellers of the Denver International Airport. This terminal is air conditioned, but lacks the traditional shops and restaurants of the new terminal. It has a mosque as well as an open-air area where the breeze flows through.

While I have never been inside this terminal, there is a souk-style shopping area inside where travellers can buy local souvenirs, spices and clothing. Since many Hajj visitors only make this pilgrimage once, they might be interested in commemorating their journey. Travellers can also avail themselves of light snacks and meals before their flight.

The design of this space is meant to handle large crowds that often travel together. As many as 80,000 people can be accommodated here simultaneously. Luckily, some of those travellers may have access to one of the two VIP lounges in this terminal, if travelling in a premium cabin.

Terminal 1

This new terminal handles all flights at the airport and is the main hub for national airline Saudia. By consolidating terminals, transfer passengers no longer need to worry about changing buildings, taking buses or rushing between flights. Everything is now under one roof in an ultra-modern, glass-lined, futuristic space.

The Arabic design motif and soaring ceilings with bright lights are beautiful. I really like the historic Saudi aviation photos that appear throughout the space.

It is divided between international and domestic flights. With the size of the country, there are a lot of domestic daily flights, including a growing number of low-cost airlines. There are more than 80 gates (most with a jet bridge) in this large facility, and luckily, there are moving pathways that link the mile-long walk from the check-in area to the farthest gates.

Designers say this is one of the largest airport terminals in the world. The airport also has a large, 18,000 sq metre garden area where guests can pass the time waiting for their flight around flowers, plants and trees.

In the arrivals area, the 14-metre tall cylindrical tank is filled with colourful fish to the delight of kids and families that are always snapping photos here. This is the largest airport aquarium in the world, but it is a shame that transit travellers will never see it since it is after passing through arrival immigration.

Airlines and where they fly from JED

Saudia is the major hub carrier here, and several low-cost Saudi airlines like Flynas and flyadeal also have a base of operations here. Other global airlines that serve the airport include carriers like Air India, British Airways, Emirates, Ethiopian, Garuda Indonesia, Qatar Airways, Royal Air Maroc, Royal Jordanian and Turkish Airlines among others.

Non-Saudi low-fare airlines that fly here include Air Arabia, Air Asia, IndiGo, Transavia and Wizz Air. Beyond these low-cost airlines serving international cities, Saudi airlines fly to more than two dozen domestic cities from Jeddah.

Lounges at Jeddah airport

The nicest lounges here are the Saudia Al Fursan Lounges, which are divided into domestic and international facilities. Both have hot and cold buffets, a wide range of soft drinks and comfortable work spaces, but the pizza oven is on the international side.

These are accessible to premium cabin travellers as well as the airline’s top elite status cardholders. As Saudia is a member of the SkyTeam alliance, SkyTeam Elite Plus members also have access to these lounges.

When you walk into the international lounge, the automatic-playing grand piano creates a great first impression. I always get a kick out of the robot that moves around the space serving bottled juice and water. Saudi Arabia is a dry country, but other non-alcoholic drinks are on offer.

A separate, more lavish lounge is available for those travelling Saudia first class. If you have a Priority Pass card, there are several lounges throughout the terminal including a Plaza Premium facility with a hot buffet and bar of soft drinks.

The newest lounge here is the Emirates Lounge, which has enough space for nearly 200 people (Emirates premium cabin and elite status flyers). A hot buffet, soft beverage bar, showers and a prayer room are available. Emirates operates its double-decker Airbus A380 here three times a day.

Airside airport hotel

The terminal has lots of reclining lounge chairs for travellers that want to nap in the airport itself, but it is not very relaxing unless you have eye shades and headphones.

The Aerotel Jeddah is an airport transit hotel designed for those that do not want to head into town for an overnight. Since Saudia has a lot of long transfer times between connecting flights, some travellers find themselves at the terminal with waits of as long as 12 hours or more.

Many nationalities need a visa to enter Saudi Arabia, despite recent changes to tourist visas. This is why lounge access for many is quite important, but it is hard to get solid rest stretched out on a sofa with other travellers working on laptops or eating around you.

The Aerotel is within the airport, just past the transit security control and near duty-free shops. The price is quite expensive for this comfort, but these accommodations are very nice and worth it for a long layover.

I have used this hotel multiple times, but am frustrated that there is no Wi-Fi in guest rooms. It is best to make an advance reservation to assure they have availability. There is also an onsite restaurant and prayer room for hotel guests.

If you have the proper visa or a passport eligible for entry into Saudi Arabia, transit stays at airport hotels are another option. The closest property to the airport is Clarion Hotel Jeddah Airport, which offers a free shuttle.

How to get to and from the airport

With so much passenger traffic, designers of the new terminal had to be very thoughtful about the road network and the most efficient way to get people to and from the airport. Wide roads lead to the departure and arrival areas, and there are shaded canopies to keep people protected from the harsh desert sun as they unload heavy bags, a thoughtful touch.

Rideshare services like Uber, Bolt and Careem, traditional taxis and global rental car agencies also serve the airport. These pick up in the arrivals area. I advise making sure that the metre is switched on; most taxis accept major credit cards.

The Haramain High-Speed Railway goes between Mecca and Jeddah, including a stop at the international airport. For many travellers bound for Mecca, this is a great way to get from the airport. The train also connects the airport with Medina and the King Abdullah Economic City.

Trains have both business and economy class fares with more space provided in the former. Keep in mind that the fare classes also regulate the amount of luggage you can bring aboard. For those that do not pack light, the train may not be an ideal option. Most Westerners are typically heading into Jeddah or to the nearby Red Sea resorts by taxi or rideshare though.

Shopping at the airport

Remember that alcohol is forbidden in Saudi Arabia. This means duty-free shops will sell everything from perfumes and couture to jewellery, candy and electronics, but no alcohol. In addition, flights operating to Jeddah typically do not serve alcohol on board. Bringing alcohol into the country is not allowed and will be confiscated.

A wide range of fast-food and chain link options are available in the terminal, but I suggest you make a beeline for Shawarmer for a toasted chicken shawarma with fries. You can save it for your flight, but the garlic sauce may not be ideal for an aeroplane cabin. This is my favourite snack when passing through JED.

You will also find nicer sit-down restaurants and newsstand-style shops selling snacks in this terminal. There are also Middle Eastern cafes, and the first Saudi, home-grown coffee brand, Barns, has a location at the airport.