Job Discussion Forums

Jreng · Joined: 13 Feb 2005 Posts: 37 Location: uae

I am booking a ticket to Saudi Arabia to work . Every time I called travel agent they won't make one way reservation.

Which travel agent do you use ? Any suggestion.

Thanks

paradox3696 · Joined: 18 Jul 2008 Posts: 44 Location: Normadic

I just purchsed the one-way ticket online via Orbitz today using credit card flying out of USA to KSA on Aug 30, 2008. I am sure there are other sites where you are able to book your one-way ticket online.

Jreng · Joined: 13 Feb 2005 Posts: 37 Location: uae

Yes, I can do it as long as I use my credit card. The University will pay, I need the booking number .

a_ibrahim · Joined: 31 May 2006 Posts: 54 Location: ohio, usa

I was able to make the reservation on my own and then give my employer the reservation number or whatever else it is they required and they did pay for it. But, I was booking on Saudi Airlines. One of the teachers that came from Malaysia wasn't able to get a flight on Saudi Airlines so she did have to pay for her own ticket but she was reimbursed once she got there.

Jreng · Joined: 13 Feb 2005 Posts: 37 Location: uae

How? Which travel agent did you use?

brasscat · Posted: Wed Aug 20, 2008 5:21 pm Post subject: Book Direct

Why bother with a travel agent?

If you know where you are departing from and going to, simply try direct reservations with the airlines.

I routinely book through KLM.com to go to Bahrain. Saudi Airlines handles international bookings every day.
brasscat

a_ibrahim · Joined: 31 May 2006 Posts: 54 Location: ohio, usa

Exactly! Why bother with a travel agent? Where will you be traveling from?

It may be difficult to get a flight on Saudi Airlines if you're coming from certain countries because of Ramadan and people going for umrah.

brasscat · Posted: Thu Aug 21, 2008 1:38 am Post subject: Time Frame

You shouldn't be encountering travel space issues until after 6 Sept..

Also you could book with other airlines, there are 4 reliable ones going into the KSA region.
brasscat

scot47 · Joined: 10 Jan 2003 Posts: 15343

Only 4 Brasscat ? Name your 4 !!

brasscat · Posted: Thu Aug 21, 2008 3:53 am Post subject: Classifed

I am not about to give away my web sites. Tough enough to book tickets
every term.

Besides I may want to bugout some day. Leave no trail.
brasscat

scot47 · Joined: 10 Jan 2003 Posts: 15343

Well let me name some airlines I have used to get in and out of the Middle East - either direct to KSA or via Bahrain.

Turkish Airlines (Turk Hava Yollari)
Lufthansa
Gulfair
KLM
Air France

BOAC (alas - no more !)

And no - I was not a passenger on Imperial Airways.

brasscat · Posted: Thu Aug 21, 2008 6:32 pm Post subject: All Good

Those are the majors.

Surprised me to find American Airlines out of Amman, Jordan going to USA. Dammam to Amman leg is an easy one.

There is an odd one that will get you to Europe via Alexandria, Egypt, Aeroflot.

Based on past experience Russian aircraft tend to be noisy.
brasscat

scot47 · Joined: 10 Jan 2003 Posts: 15343

Airlines based in the US do not currently fly to KSA. Saudi Arabian Airlines do. Personally I have had good experiences with Saudi Airlines. Because they are dry you are less likely to spend the flight next to some boozed-up lush.

brasscat · Posted: Thu Aug 21, 2008 7:57 pm Post subject: Saudi Airlines

I did fly with Saudi Air out of Riyad while I was at Hail. The only thing I got nervous about was the pilot saying his prayers over the intercom before takeoff.
brasscat

scot47 · Joined: 10 Jan 2003 Posts: 15343

Why should that make you nervous ? An observer with your depth of knowledge of the Middle East and Islam should know that a pious Muslim will start a journey with the travel prayer. And even when getting in a lift he will say "Bismillah".