JEDDAH- The flag carrier of Saudi Arabia, Saudia (SV), has filed for a potential new route to the United States of America from Jeddah (JED). Saudi Arabia Airlines eyes flights to Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport (DTW), as per the Winter 2025 ACL slot coordination report.
The proposed service would be operated using the Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner, one of Saudia’s fuel-efficient wide-body aircraft. This route will mark Saudia’s entry into the American Midwest if flights are launched.
Saudia Eyes Detroit Flight
Airlines often request airport slots for future planning purposes, but these do not guarantee that flights will materialize. While this route filing is certainly intriguing, it’s important to understand the distinction between slot filings and confirmed route launches.
Saudia has a history of filing U.S. routes that haven’t yet taken off. Previous ACL reports had shown potential plans for Atlanta (ATL) and Miami (MIA) services, neither of which has been launched. This leaves room for cautious optimism around the JED–DTW proposal.
Detroit could, however, be a great pick for several reasons. It’s a major U.S. gateway with strong ties to the Arab-American community. Detroit is the nearby city of Dearborn, which is home to one of the largest populations of people with Middle Eastern ancestry in the United States.
From a connectivity standpoint, DTW is also a major hub for Delta Air Lines, a member of the SkyTeam alliance, which Saudia also belongs to. This opens up possibilities for seamless domestic U.S. connections should the route commence.
Saudia’s Fleet and Network Evolution
Saudia is in the midst of a significant transformation under Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 initiative. The aim is to make the Kingdom a global aviation hub. The airline is modernizing its fleet, expanding its route network, and enhancing its onboard product.
As of mid-2025, Saudia operates over 50 Boeing 787 Dreamliners, split between the -9 and -10 variants. The 787-9 is the backbone of its long-haul fleet, offering up to 298 seats in a two-class configuration and capable of flying over 7,500 nautical miles—more than enough for the Jeddah–Detroit sector.
In recent months, Saudia has focused on increasing its international presence, especially in North America, Europe, and Asia. The airline currently serves destinations like New York (JFK), Washington D.C. (IAD), and Los Angeles (LAX) in the U.S., alongside Toronto (YYZ) in Canada.
The potential Detroit service would strengthen its North American network and offer a new access point to Saudi Arabia for travelers from the Midwest.
Conclusion
While the filing for Jeddah–Detroit is promising, history tells us to wait before celebrating. Slot filings are often speculative, and without formal announcements or ticket sales, this remains a potential route, not a confirmed one. That said, the strategic logic for Detroit is clear: strong community ties and alliance connectivity via Delta.
Moreover, Saudia is navigating a complex global operating environment. The recent geopolitical tensions in the Middle East—particularly involving Iran and Israel—have forced airlines to re-route flights, increasing operational costs and impacting reliability.
Airspace closures could potentially affect route viability, especially for new North American connections like DTW, which require optimal routing over Europe or the Atlantic.
For now, Saudia’s winter schedule announcements are being awaited. If DTW is indeed green-lit, it would mark a significant step in the airline’s North American ambitions.
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