BookMyBusinessClass

Airline Comparison

Saudia vs Emirates

Saudia and Emirates business class side by side for travelers from the US and Canada: seats by aircraft, beds, Wi-Fi, lounges, loyalty programs and nonstop cities.

Checked against each airline's own pages on October 23, 2026

Side by side

 SaudiaEmirates
Seat layoutAs of October 2026, 1-2-1 on the 787-9, 787-10 and 777 77Z; 2-2-2 on the other 777-368ER versions, where not every seat has direct aisle access1-2-1 with direct aisle access on the retrofitted 777 (August 2024 release) and on the A350 (October 2026 release); Emirates says the 777 retrofit removed the triple seats from the center of the cabin, and as of October 2026 Emirates operates a mixed fleet of earlier and later Boeing 777 models, with products varying by route and aircraft configuration
Seat width and pitch20 in wide on the 787 and 777 77Z, about 21 in on other 777 versions; pitch 43 to 61 in by version (as of October 2026)Retrofitted 777: 20.7 in wide, pitch up to 44 in (2024 releases); A350: 21 in wide, 44 in pitch (February 2026 release)
BedSaudia says each business class seat converts electronically to a full flat bed and has privacy screens (Saudia cabin-classes page)Retrofitted 777 seat converts to a flat bed reclining up to 78.6 in (August 2024); A350 seats are fully flat, and on selected A380 routes, depending on aircraft type and configuration, the Business Class seat reclines into a fully flat bed with a mattress and blanket (as of October 2026)
Wi-FiHigh-speed Wi-Fi on more than 30 aircraft as of June 2026; in November 2025 Saudia said it expected high-speed Wi-Fi on the full fleet by 2027 and that the service would be free to all guests once officially launchedFree for the whole flight for Emirates Skywards members in Business Class (Skywards Skysurfers accounts are not eligible); free for everyone on selected Starlink flights (as of October 2026); Emirates began rolling out free Starlink Wi-Fi on equipped aircraft with Boeing 777s in November 2025 and expects it to cover the whole in-service fleet by mid-2027
Hub loungesAn international and a domestic Saudia Lounge in Jeddah Terminal 1 (Saudia's lounge page, as of October 2026)Seven Emirates lounges at Dubai International across Concourses A, B and C; Emirates' Business Class Lounge offers shower spas; some lounges may be closed or partly open during upgrades (as of October 2026)
Lounges in the USSaudia lists no US lounge of its own; it names partner lounges, including one at New York JFK Terminal 1 (as of October 2026)Emirates lounges at Boston, Los Angeles, New York JFK and San Francisco, complimentary for eligible Business Class passengers (as of October 2026)
Loyalty programAlFursan; Saudia Lounges are open to AlFursan Gold and Silver members, and miles can be earned and redeemed on SkyTeam airlines (as of October 2026)Emirates Skywards, with Blue, Silver, Gold and Platinum tiers; Gold and Platinum members get Emirates lounges in Dubai and worldwide (as of October 2026)
Partners and allianceSkyTeam member since May 29, 2012; codeshares with Delta, Air France-KLM and Virgin Atlantic expanded in July 2026Partnerships with United and Air Canada for connections across the US and Canada (as of October 2026)
Nonstops from the US and CanadaSaudia nonstops: New York JFK to Jeddah (SV20) and New York JFK to Riyadh (SV22); as of October 23, 2026, a travel advisory on Saudia's website says flights to and from Riyadh are running through Al Qassim and Dammam airports, with a Saudia bus between the airport and Riyadh, so check the arrival airport for SV22As of October 2026: to Dubai from Boston, Chicago, Dallas Fort Worth, Houston, Los Angeles, Miami, New York JFK, Orlando, San Francisco, Seattle, Washington Dulles and Toronto; also New York JFK to Milan and Miami to Bogotá

Each value is from that airline’s own pages. Details can differ by aircraft and route.

Cabin details

From each airline's own specifications. Details can differ by aircraft and route.

 SaudiaEmirates
CabinBusiness ClassBusiness Class
Seat width20 in (Boeing 787-9, 787-10 and 777 77Z); 20.98 in (Boeing 777 77H)20.7 inches (retrofitted Boeing 777); 21 inches (A350)
DiningSaudia describes Business Class dining as à la carte with a Chef Onboard, served at any time during the journey, plus a full menu for passengers who want to eat on their own schedule. Saudia Business Class passengers also receive a SAUDIA x ELIE SAAB amenity kit.As of October 2026, Emirates serves Business Class meals on Royal Doulton fine bone china with Robert Welch cutlery and offers champagne on boarding. On selected routes, passengers can pre-order main courses from 14 days up to 24 hours before departure through Manage Your Booking, and selected late-night flights offer a Late-Night Dining menu served all at once so passengers can sleep sooner. A380 Business Class passengers can use the A380 Onboard Lounge, which serves wines, spirits, cocktails, canapés, fresh fruit and pastries; the retrofitted Boeing 777 has a small bar for mid-flight snacks, and the A350 has a snack display area at the back of the cabin.
EntertainmentSaudia gives the Business Class entertainment screen size as up to 18-inch HD, with more than 5,000 hours of entertainment. In November 2025, Saudia said high-speed Wi-Fi would be free of charge to all guests once officially launched and expected the full fleet to have Wi-Fi by 2027. By June 2026, Saudia's high-speed connectivity was on more than 30 aircraft, and live sport from Sport 24 could be watched on passengers' own devices on aircraft with the connectivity.As of October 2026, Emirates Skywards members flying in Business Class get free Wi-Fi for the whole flight, and Wi-Fi is free for everyone on selected flights with Starlink; Skywards Skysurfers accounts are not eligible. Emirates began its Starlink rollout on Boeing 777s in November 2025 and plans to cover the whole in-service fleet by mid-2027. The retrofitted Boeing 777 Business Class seat has a 23-inch HD screen and the A350 Business Class seat a 20-inch 4K screen. Emirates' A380 page says that on selected routes, depending on aircraft type and configuration, the A380 Business Class seat has a widescreen.
LoungeAs of October 2026, Saudia runs an international and a domestic Saudia Lounge in Terminal 1 at Jeddah's King Abdulaziz International Airport, and Saudia's lounge page says Saudia Lounges are open to First and Business Class passengers and AlFursan Gold and Silver members. Saudia's SaudiaBEYOND site also lists a Saudia lounge in Riyadh for First Suite and Business Class passengers, and says the lounges it lists in Cairo, Jeddah and Riyadh have showers, a relaxation room and a business center. Saudia's international Business Class fares include lounge access.As of October 2026, Emirates has seven lounges at Dubai International (DXB), across Concourses A, B and C, and all Emirates flights use Terminal 3. The Emirates Business Class Lounge offers shower spas, a Moët & Chandon champagne lounge, complimentary Wi-Fi and direct boarding from the Concourse A lounges, and Timeless Spa treatments are charged. Business Class Saver, Flex and Flex Plus tickets include access, Business Class Special tickets get paid access only, and some Dubai lounges may be closed or partly open during upgrades. Emirates Skywards Gold and Platinum members get Emirates lounge access in Dubai and worldwide, and Silver members get the Business Class Lounge in Dubai only.
Checked bagsAs of October 2026, Saudia's additional-baggage page says all sixth-freedom passengers to and from the USA and Canada may carry 2 checked pieces in every class, and AlFursan Silver and Gold members flying Business Class internationally get one extra checked piece of up to 32 kg at no cost. Checked bags on flights from Riyadh to New York (JFK), Washington D.C. (IAD), Los Angeles (LAX) and Toronto (YYZ) must be sealed with safe wrap. Business Class allows one hand bag (56 x 45 x 25 cm, up to 12 kg) plus one briefcase (up to 9 kg), but flights from the USA or Canada to Saudi Arabia limit every class to one carry-on item of up to 16 lb.As of October 2026, Emirates Business Class on flights to and from the Americas includes two checked pieces of up to 32 kg (70 lb) each, and each bag's total dimensions must not exceed 150 cm (59 in). The same allowance applies between the US and Europe, such as New York JFK–Milan. Skywards Platinum and Gold members get one extra 32 kg piece in Business Class on piece-concept routes on Emirates-operated flights.
Loyalty programAlFursanEmirates Skywards
Fleet with this cabinBoeing 787-9, Boeing 787-10, Boeing 777-368ERAirbus A380, Airbus A350, Boeing 777

How to choose

As of October 2026, the Saudia business class layout depends on the aircraft version: the 787-9, 787-10 and 777 77Z have 1-2-1 seating, while the other 777-368ER versions use 2-2-2, so not every seat has direct aisle access. Emirates also flies a mixed fleet, with 1-2-1 Business Class on the retrofitted 777 and the A350, and Emirates says operational needs can cause last-minute aircraft changes. Emirates has scheduled the A350 for Orlando (EK220) from November 1, 2026. Before booking, enter the flight number and date in Emirates' “What's on your flight” tool, and confirm the aircraft version for Saudia SV20 or SV22.

As of October 2026, Emirates flies nonstop to Dubai from 11 US cities and Toronto. Saudia flies nonstop from New York JFK to Jeddah (SV20) and from New York JFK to Riyadh (SV22). As of October 23, 2026, a travel advisory on Saudia's website says flights to and from Riyadh are running through Al Qassim and Dammam airports, with a Saudia bus to Riyadh, so check the arrival airport for SV22. In the US, Saudia lists partner lounges rather than its own, while Emirates has its own lounges at Boston, Los Angeles, New York JFK and San Francisco. Saudia's international business class fares (Business Basic, Semi Flex and Flex) all include lounge access; Emirates Business Class Saver, Flex and Flex Plus fares include Emirates lounge access, while Business Class Special fares get paid access only.

Wi-Fi terms also differ. As of October 2026, Emirates Skywards members in Business Class get free Wi-Fi for the whole flight (Skywards Skysurfers accounts are not eligible), and Wi-Fi is free for everyone on selected Starlink flights. Saudia had high-speed Wi-Fi on more than 30 aircraft in June 2026 and said in November 2025 that the service would be free to all guests once it officially launched.

About Saudia

Saudia is a SkyTeam member that, as of October 2026, schedules flights from New York JFK to Jeddah (SV20) and Riyadh (SV22); a travel advisory on Saudia's website says flights to and from Riyadh are running through Al Qassim and Dammam airports. Saudia says every Business Class seat converts electronically to a full flat bed with privacy screens, in a 1-2-1 layout on the Boeing 787 and one Boeing 777 version and a 2-2-2 layout on other 777 versions. Saudia Business Class also includes à la carte dining with a Chef Onboard and a SAUDIA x ELIE SAAB amenity kit.

Saudia business class in full

About Emirates

As of October 2026, Emirates flies a mixed fleet of Airbus A380, Airbus A350 and Boeing 777 aircraft from its Dubai International (DXB) hub, and the Emirates Business Class seat differs by aircraft. The retrofitted Boeing 777 and the A350 have lie-flat seats in a 1-2-1 layout with direct aisle access, while A380 Business Class passengers can use the Onboard Lounge. Nonstop routes from the US and Canada include flights to Dubai from 11 US cities and Toronto, plus New York JFK to Milan and Miami to Bogotá.

Emirates business class in full

Fly them from the US and Canada

Deciding between them for a trip?

Tell us the route and dates. We'll quote both with the seat on your flight and the full price.

Get a quoteCall +1 (866) 699-4488

More comparisons

All comparisons

Questions

What is the difference between Saudia Business Class and Emirates Business Class?

As of October 2026, Saudia Business Class, for which Saudia gives no separate seat brand name, is 1-2-1 on the 787-9, 787-10 and 777 77Z and 2-2-2 on the other 777-368ER versions. Saudia says each business class seat converts electronically to a full flat bed and has privacy screens; Saudia gives the business class entertainment screen size as up to 18-inch HD. Emirates Business Class is 1-2-1 with direct aisle access on the retrofitted 777 (August 2024 release) and on the A350 (October 2026 release), with a 23-inch HD screen on the retrofitted 777 and a 20-inch 4K screen on the A350. Emirates says the 777 retrofit removed the triple seats from the center of the cabin, and Emirates operates a mixed fleet of earlier and later Boeing 777 models, with products varying by route and aircraft configuration. Saudia is a SkyTeam member with the AlFursan loyalty program, and Emirates runs Emirates Skywards.

Which US and Canadian cities do Saudia and Emirates fly nonstop from?

As of October 2026, Saudia flies nonstop from New York JFK to Jeddah (SV20) and from New York JFK to Riyadh (SV22). As of October 23, 2026, a travel advisory on Saudia's website says flights to and from Riyadh are running through Al Qassim and Dammam airports, with a Saudia bus between the airport and Riyadh, so check the arrival airport for SV22. Emirates flies nonstop to Dubai from Boston, Chicago, Dallas Fort Worth, Houston, Los Angeles, Miami, New York JFK, Orlando, San Francisco, Seattle, Washington Dulles and Toronto, plus New York JFK to Milan (EK206) and Miami to Bogotá (EK213).

Do Saudia and Emirates have business class lounges in the US?

As of October 2026, Saudia does not list a lounge of its own in the US and names partner lounges instead, including one at New York JFK Terminal 1. Saudia's international business class fares (Business Basic, Semi Flex and Flex) all include lounge access. Emirates lists its own lounges at Boston, Los Angeles, New York JFK and San Francisco, complimentary for eligible Business Class passengers; Business Class Saver, Flex and Flex Plus tickets include Emirates lounge access, while Business Class Special tickets get paid access only.

How can I check which business class seat a Saudia or Emirates flight has?

As of October 2026, Emirates' Seating Charts page has a “What's on your flight” tool: enter a flight number and travel date to see the cabins and onboard offering. Emirates' A380 and Boeing 777 Business Class pages also link to 3D seat maps, and Emirates says operational needs can cause last-minute aircraft changes. Saudia's fleet pages list the business class layout and seat count for each 787 and 777-368ER version.

How is this comparison made?

From each airline’s own pages and announcements, checked on October 23, 2026. It sets the facts side by side and does not pick a winner: which suits you depends on your route, the aircraft and your loyalty program. Our method is on the editorial standards page. Editorial standards

Can you quote both airlines for my trip?

Yes, on most routes from the US and Canada. Tell us your dates and we will show each option with its schedule, the seat on that aircraft and the full price.

Every fact on this page was checked on October 23, 2026 against these sources, mostly the airlines' own pages and announcements:

CallTextGet a quote