“Give a smooth flight to your customers by creating an online booking app like Saudia.”
The Middle East region is a wonderful place with a lot of opportunities to start a new business. In the Aviation and travel industry, different apps like Saudia are delivering a number of services to fulfill user needs and business requirements. Additionally, entrepreneurs are ready to invest their money to build an app like Saudia and start an online booking business.
In the UAE, the share of airplane ticket revenue is around 76% in the total travel industry. This indicates that businesses have multiple opportunities to create an app like Saudia. But, if they do so, it will be good for their business as well as target audience.
So, in this blog we will guide our readers through different development stages, features and cost. So, they can invest in the travel app development for Saudi Arabia and other MENA countries.
What is a Saudia Application?
Designed to give consumers a flawless travel experience, the Saudia app is the official mobile application of Saudi Arabian Airlines. Users may purchase flights, manage bookings, check flight status, and finish online check-in. So, businesses can invest in travel mobile app development services to add features like e-boarding cards and luggage tracking, and access to exclusive Alfursan loyalty club advantages.
The user-friendly design of the app provides real-time updates on flight schedules, special deals, and airport services can also be obtained by travellers. The Saudia app improves convenience by means of multilingual support and safe payment methods, therefore facilitating passenger planning, tracking, and enjoyment of their travels with Saudi Arabian Airlines.
Market Stats of UAE Tourism Industry
- The travel and tourist industry in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) is predicted to show amazing expansion with a market volume of $1.40 Billion by 2025.
- Between 2025 and 2029, the market is estimated to rise yearly at a rate of 10% and reach $1.64 Billion in volume by 2029.
- With an estimated 2.61 Million customers by 2029 and income of $553.62 Million expected from the Package Holidays business in 2025,
- User penetration-wise, the market is predicted to rise from 7% in 2025 to 38.8% by 2029.
- Projected to be $424.77 is the average revenue per user.
- Moreover, by 2029 internet sales should account for 80% of the Travel & Tourism market’s overall income.
- With a projected income of $224 Billion in 2025, the United States is estimated to produce the largest income in the Travel & Tourism sector worldwide.
- Still, the UAE is expected to see market growth that presents lots of chances for companies and investors equally.
- Particularly in Dubai and Abu Dhabi, luxury and experiential travel is becoming more common in the travel and tourist market of the United Arab Emirates.
Essential Features of Apps Like Saudia
Apps like Saudia provide advanced booking, real-time information, and exclusive travel incentives. These Saudia app features improve convenience and guarantee hassle-free travels:
1. Ticket Management
Through a Saudia Airlines app clone, users can schedule flights, choose seats, and handle tickets straight-forwardly. The function allows several payment choices to enable a flawless checkout experience.
2. Real-Time Flight Status
The app offers live updates on delays, arrivals, and airplane departures. Investing money in B2C travel portal development Like Expedia businesses can help consumers to get announcements on boarding and cancellations.
3. Loyalty Program
Regular passengers can accumulate miles and use them toward discounts and upgrades through apps similar to Saudia. Combined with loyalty programs such as Alfursan, this function promotes consumer retention.
4. In-App Check-In
By checking in for flights inside Saudia Airlines alternatives, travellers help to lower airport wait times. Generated for simple access at boarding gates and security checkpoints is a digital boarding pass.
5. Baggage Tracking
Real-time tracking of checked-in bags lets users make sure it gets to the correct location. Best airline apps in Saudi Arabia also offer baggage allowance information to enable passengers pack appropriately.
6. Multilingual & Currency Support
Klook is an alternative to Saudia app that provides several currencies and languages. This guarantees consumers from all backgrounds to get flight information and complete purchases in their native tongue.
7. Lounge Access
Users of different flight booking apps in Saudi Arabia may reserve airport lounges. Passengers may take use of first-rate offerings such as special waiting spaces. It is important to apply the Booking.Com business model to launch a new lounge experience.
8. Travel Insurance
Through flight ticket booking apps in KSA users may buy travel insurance. This guarantees compliance with travel rules from around the world and safety. Additionally, it streamlines the paperwork for travel free from stress.
9. In-Flight Entertainment
Before boarding, passengers can pre-select meals and peruse the choices in-flight entertainment offers. Various Saudi Arabia airline apps improve comfort since it lets consumers personalize their in-flight environment.
10.Chat Assistance
Live chat, phone, or email support are available on apps for booking flights in KSA. AI-powered chatbots guarantee immediate support by responding fast to often asked travel questions.
How to Develop Booking Apps Like Saudia?
Here, we are discussing steps to build an app like Saudia with detailed information. So, let’s observe this section and gather more information:
1. Get Domain Knowledge
Before beginning any kind of development, one must first grasp the airline and travel booking sector. To find distinctive selling propositions, look at consumer preferences, rival behavior, and research market trends. Learn about payment gates, airline booking APIs, and compliance rules. Additionally, you can examine user behavior by targeting mobile app development solutions in the UAE. Knowing this enables one to design a competitive, user-centric application.
2. Prepare a Plan
The basis for app development is laid by a clear plan. List the goals, tools, technological stack, and budget of the app. Decide whether the app will be native or hybrid and select between on-site or cloud hosting. List intended users and create plans for monetization. Establishing a road map with well defined benchmarks guarantees efficient Aviation mobile app development and timely application.
3. Hire Development Partner
Next, it is important to hire a travel mobile app development company to build an app like Saudia. Think about outsourcing, assigning in-house engineers, or partnering with a travel-oriented software business. Evaluate their knowledge of security standards, API interfaces, and booking systems. Make sure they apply agile approaches to effectively manage projects. A trustworthy development partner guarantees flawless implementation and excellent quality of output.
4. Designing Stage
User involvement of the software depends much on its UI/UX design. Design a user-friendly and visually appealing interface that streamlines bookings, flight searches, and cancellations. Emphasize responsive design for several devices, low loading times, and simple navigation. Additionally, you must develop an airline app like Saudia for user flows using an interactive prototype. A highly interactive app improves user conversion rates and retention.
5. API Integration
Perfect API integration guarantees seamless app operation. For real-time flight availability and pricing, combine airline booking APIs including Sabre, Travelport, or Amadeus. Put in place local financial systems, PayPal, or Stripe as safe payment gates. Additionally, you can hire dedicated mobile app developers to include APIs for loyalty programs, user authentication, and alerts. Effective app speed and real-time updates guarantee proper API connectivity.
6. Testing & Launch
Extensive testing is required to guarantee the program runs as intended before release. Use functional, usability, performance, and security testing to find flaws. Additionally, it is important to beta test with actual people for making improvements in flight booking app development. Make the app work well on several operating systems and screen sizes. After polished, apply the software with a marketing plan on Apple software Store and Google Play Store.
7. Post-Development Services
Long-term success depends on continual maintenance and updates. Track app performance routinely and address problems in response to user comments. Add fresh capabilities, security enhancements, and UI changes to the app. So, you can resolve booking problems by contacting a custom web development company in the UAE. Regular updates help to keep users and maintain the competitiveness of the software.
Top 10 Alternatives of Saudia
Although Saudia is a top booking tool, several others provide either equal or even better travel booking experiences. These programs offer flight tickets, lodging bookings, loyalty schemes, and travel aid all around. These are the top 10 alternatives of Saudia app with reasonable services and features.
Top 10 Alternatives to Saudia |
Supported Devices | Downloads | Ratings |
Booking.com |
Android|iOS |
500M+ | 4.6 |
Expedia | Android|iOS | 50M+ |
4.7 |
Skyscanner |
Android|iOS | 50M+ | 4.7 |
Kayak | Android|iOS | 10M+ |
4.6 |
Wego |
Android|iOS | 10M+ | 4.4 |
Qatar Airways | Android|iOS | 10M+ |
4.1 |
Emirates |
Android|iOS | 5M+ | 4.8 |
CheapOair | Android|iOS | 5M+ |
4.5 |
almatar |
Android|iOS | 1M+ | 4.8 |
Almosafer |
Android|iOS | 1M+ |
4.7 |
What is the Cost to Build an App Like Saudia?
Development team experience, technology, and platform choice all affect the cost to build an app like Saudia. A well-organized budget guarantees great quality of user experience and efficiency. Six main cost-determining elements follow below.
1. Platform Complexity
The travel app development cost is much influenced by the complexity of features including real-time flight tracking, AI-based suggestions, and payment gateways.
More sophisticated features call for longer development times and more backend infrastructure, hence increasing the Saudia app development cost.
Platform Classification |
Development Time | Estimated Cost |
Simple |
2-5 months |
$5000-$10000 |
Moderate |
5-8 months |
$10000-$15000 |
Complex |
8-12 months | $15000-$20000 |
Premium | More than 12 months |
$20000-$25000 |
2. Development Location
The geographical location of the development team affects the Airline app development cost since different hourly rates apply. While teams in South Asia and Eastern Europe present more reasonably priced solutions, developers in North America and Western Europe charge more.
Location Factor |
Estimated Cost |
USA |
$25000-$30000 |
Australia |
$20000-$25000 |
India |
$5000-$12000 |
UK |
$15000-$20000 |
UAE |
$8000-$15000 |
Brazil |
$12000-$16000 |
3. Choice of Platform
The cost to develop a travel app for iOS and Android using Native solutions is more than designing a cross-platform or web-based solution. Additionally, flight booking app development cost can be decreased by using native apps that offer superior performance and user experience.
Development Platform |
Estimated Cost |
Flutter App |
$15,000-$20,000 |
Native App |
$20,000-$25,000 |
Hybrid App |
$25,000-$30,000 |
4. Experience of Developers
Although hiring senior developers with experience in aviation and travel app development drives the cost to develop an app like Saudia. Additionally, it guarantees scalable and high-quality solutions. Though they may have less rates, junior or mid-level developers could need more time for debugging and optimization.
Team’s Expertise Level |
Cost Estimation (USD) |
Junior/Entry-Level |
$8000-$12000 |
Mid-Level/Experienced |
$12000-$16000 |
Senior/Expert |
$16000-$20000 |
Professional |
$20000-$24000 |
5. Technologies Used
The choice of technology stack such as programming languages like Swift and backend frameworks like Node.js affects general Airline app development cost. So, businesses should contact an Android app development company to know more about advanced technologies such as Artificial Intelligence, virtual boarding using AR/VR, and Blockchain for safe transactions.
Technical Model |
Estimated Cost |
Artificial Intelligence |
$30,000-$40,000 |
Blockchain |
$35,000-$50,000 |
Cloud Computing |
$40,000-$45,000 |
Cyber Security |
$45,000-$50,000 |
6. Team Hiring
Establishing an internal development team helps in operations, training, and recruitment and lowers the Saudia app development cost. While engaging freelancers or outsourcing to a seasoned agency offers cost effectiveness and flexibility, project control and communication may suffer.
Hiring Factor |
Estimated Cost |
In House Team |
$5,000-$8,000 |
Full-Time Freelancers |
$3,500-$5,000 |
Developer Outreach |
$8,000-$15,000 |
6 Amazing Ways to Monetize Applications Like Saudia
Making money from an airline app such as Saudia calls for calculated approaches to improve user experience. Six smart strategies below will help you to reach sustainable income.
1. Flight Bookings Fees
Sales of airplane tickets is the main source of income since consumers may book flights straight using the app. Providing luxury services, additional baggage choices, and seat upgrades improves income. Discounts and tailored promos help to increase bookings.
2. Subscriptions Plans
Integrating a loyalty program like Alfursan with iOS app development services allows consumers to accumulate and spend points for services, hotels, and flights. Benefits from subscription-based premium memberships could include priority boarding, lounge access, and special pricing.
3. Hotel & Car Rental Partnerships
Working with chains of hotels and vehicle rental companies lets the app create commission-based income. Easy booking of lodging and transportation lets users participate more and boost revenue.
4. Promotional Charges
Showing focused ads from travel-related companies including hotels, restaurants, and tourism events can generate income quite profitably. Additionally, you can target various tour and travel business ideas in Cyprus to guarantee more exposure and interaction.
5. Complementary Services
Offering travel insurance, meal preorders, and in-flight WiFi creates extra cash. Working with insurance companies guarantees passengers have coverage and pays commissions from policy purchases.
6. Duty-Free Shopping
Including an e-commerce component for in-flight duty-free shopping lets travelers peruse and buy goods before they get on. To provide special offers on luxury goods and travel accessories to users you can approach a mobile app development company and generate a huge profit.
Blog Conclusion!!
Our clients will understand how to build an app like Saudia by going through this blog and starting an online booking venture. It is important to focus on the benefits of developing similar Saudia Airlines competitors like Skyscanner.
- Investing money for travel mobile app development in UAE can help you to earn a huge profit.
- You can create a flight booking app like Saudia with complementary services like food and hotels.
- It is beneficial to study different business models before investing money to make an app like Saudia.
- Focus on reducing the cost and improving the productivity of travel booking apps.
Following the above points is very important and primarily focuses on business growth. So, it is the right chance for entrepreneurs to keep observing market trends and invest at the right time.
FAQs
1. Which is the Best Application for Online Booking in Saudi Arabia?
Offering flight reservations, online check-ins, and travel services, Saudia Airlines app is among the top online booking systems available in Saudi Arabia. Almosafer, Flynas, and Booking.com offer hotel and travel booking choices among others. These programs guarantee real-time booking updates, security, and convenience including safe transactions.
2. What is the Maintenance Cost of Saudia Like Applications?
An airline booking app like Saudia’s maintenance cost relies on elements including server hosting, security updates, bug patches, and fresh feature enhancements. Usually running between 15% and 20% of the annual development cost, it amounts to $3,000 to $4,000 annually. App complexity and user traffic determine the cost.
3. How to Hire Hybrid App Developers?
- List the budget and app features.
- Examine past efforts and skills to use tools like Flutter.
- Evaluate their proficiency in cross-platform development.
- Decide the best hiring process.
- Hire developers with excellent post-launch support.
4. How to Reduce the Cost to Build an app like Saudia?
- Develop a hybrid app to cut expenses.
- Use ready-made features, templates, and outside APIs.
- Hire offshore developers from reasonably priced sites.
5. Can I get Refund on Flight Booking Cancellations?
Indeed, refund policies and ticket type of the airline determine whether reimbursements on canceled flight bookings are given. While non-refundable tickets could result in cancellation fees, refundable tickets enable either full or partial returns. Refunds depending on pricing policies and cancellation timing are offered by Saudia Airlines and other carriers.