Saudia has launched its direct flights to Los Angeles, a major business city in the heart of California, becoming the only airline that operates direct flights from Saudi Arabia to Los Angeles International Airport.

Abdul Aziz Al-Hazmi, chief executive and acting director general of Saudia, launched the flight while stressing the airline’s plan to expand its operations worldwide and modernise its domestic and international fleet.

Saudia’s first flight, SV 421, touched down at Tom Bradley International Airport in Los Angeles around 09:50.

The flight was greeted on arrival at Gate 134 of the newly-renovated Tom Bradley Terminal by Saudi consul general in Los Angeles Faisal Al-Sudairy.

Saudia operates about 500 flights daily to more than 80 destinations, maintaining high rate of on-time performance.

SV Flight 41, which flew from Riyadh with a stop in Jeddah arrived in Los Angeles ten minutes ahead of schedule, making its landing an historic one - the very first non-stop scheduled flight between Saudi Arabia and the western United States.

For its maiden voyage from Saudi Arabia to Los Angeles, SAUDIA used its new Boeing 777-300ER, with 24 seats in the First Class, 36 in Business Class and 245 in the Guest Class.

Saudia will operate three flights weekly between Saudi Arabia and Los Angeles - Mondays, Thursdays, and Saturdays.