Throughout the 1950s, Saudi Arabian Airlines entered a phase of consolidation and technological modernization. Trans World Airlines, managed the airline under contract and provided technical expertise, training, and operational support. This partnership was crucial in transforming the airline from a basic operator into a more structured and professionally managed carrier. The fleet was expanded with more advanced aircraft, including, Douglas DC-4s, and additional DC-3s, enabling longer routes and improved passenger comfort.

At the same time, the airline significantly expanded its route network across the Middle East and nearby regions. By the early 1950s, destinations included Amman, Karachi, Istanbul, Kuwait, and various Gulf and African cities.

Domestically, new airports and upgraded facilities in cities such as Madinah and Jizan allowed the airline to extend its reach into previously isolated areas.

In 1954, the airline introduced the Convair 340, its first pressurized aircraft, which significantly enhanced passenger comfort and allowed for higher-altitude, longer-distance flights.

By the early 1960s, Saudi Arabian Airlines had matured into a regional carrier with expanding international ambitions and a diversified fleet. By 1962, the airline had already begun introducing more modern equipment, including the Douglas DC-6, which allowed it to expand medium- and long-haul services with greater reliability and passenger comfort.

The most significant milestone of this period came in 1962, when the airline entered the jet age with the acquisition of two Boeing 720 aircraft. The Boeing 720s were deployed on key regional routes such as Cairo, Beirut, and Amman.

The mid-1960s then marked a decisive shift toward jet aviation. In 1965, Saudi Arabian Airlines entered the jet age with the introduction of the Boeing 707.

This aircraft enabled the launch of longer-range international routes linking Jeddah and Riyadh to key destinations in Europe, the Middle East, and South Asia. Cities such as London, Cairo, Karachi, and Bombay (now Mumbai) became integral parts of the airline’s network.

The airline then introduced the McDonnell Douglas DC-9 into its fleet in 1967, marking an important step in the carrier’s transition toward a modern, all-jet operation for short- and medium-haul services. The DC-9 replaced older piston and turboprop aircraft on high-frequency domestic and regional routes, such as Jeddah–Riyadh, Jeddah–Dammam, and Riyadh–Dhahran.

Throughout the late 1960s and into the early 1970s, the airline expanded aggressively. The network grew to include destinations in North Africa, the Levant, and parts of Southeast Asia, while frequencies on existing routes increased to accommodate rising demand. In the 1970s, a new livery was introduced. It comprised a white fuselage with green and blue stripes and a green tailfin. The carrier's name was changed to Saudia on 1 April 1972.

The 1970s represented a period of extraordinary growth fuelled by the oil boom. With significantly increased financial resources, the Saudi government invested heavily in both fleet expansion and aviation infrastructure. Saudi Arabian Airlines placed orders for wide-body aircraft, marking another technological leap. Saudi also introduced the Boeing 737-200 into its fleet in 1972, with the first aircraft entering service in 1975 as part of a broader modernization program during the Kingdom’s oil-fueled aviation expansion.

The type was primarily deployed on dense domestic sectors linking major Saudi cities such as Jeddah–Riyadh, Jeddah–Dammam, and Riyadh–Medina, as well as on regional routes across the Middle East.

As well, in 1975, the airline introduced the McDonnell Douglas DC-10, which became the backbone of its long-haul operations.

Lockheed L-1011 TriStar aircraft were also added to the fleet toward the late 1970s, providing additional wide-body capacity and reinforcing the airline’s position as a major carrier in the Middle East. By the late 1970s, Saudi Arabian Airlines was operating flights to major European capitals such as Paris, Rome, and Frankfurt, as well as to cities across the Middle East, Africa, and Asia. The airline also extended its reach into the Far East, including destinations like Kuala Lumpur and Jakarta. In Africa, routes to Khartoum, Addis Ababa, and other cities strengthened the airline’s presence on the continent.

Infrastructure developments were closely tied to the airline’s growth. The expansion of King Abdulaziz International Airport in Jeddah, including facilities specifically designed to handle the massive influx of Hajj pilgrims, was a critical milestone. Similarly, improvements at Riyadh and Dammam airports allowed for increased domestic and international operations. These developments enabled Saudi Arabian Airlines to handle growing passenger numbers, which rose dramatically during the 1970s due to both economic growth and the rising accessibility of air travel.

From 1980, Saudi Arabian Airlines, known then as Saudia, entered a period of sustained modernization and expansion that reflected both the Kingdom’s economic growth and its strategic ambition to strengthen global air connectivity. At the beginning of the 1980s, the airline was already operating a mixed fleet of Boeing 707s, 720s, 737s, Fokker F28 for thinner domestic routes and Lockheed L-1011 TriStars, which had been introduced in the late 1970s to support long-haul services.

During this decade, Saudia expanded its international network significantly, linking Riyadh, Jeddah and Dhahran with major cities across Europe, the Middle East, North Africa and Asia. The airline continued to play a critical role in transporting pilgrims during the annual Hajj and Umrah seasons, which led to the development of high-capacity operations and seasonal route planning. Throughout the 1980s, Saudia invested in infrastructure, progressively phasing out older wide-body aircraft and introducing more efficient Boeing 747 variants for regional routes.

Saudia became the launch customer for the Airbus A300-600 in 1984, marking a significant step in both the airline’s modernization and Airbus’ development as a major aircraft manufacturer. Saudia placed the initial order in 1981, demonstrating confidence in Airbus technology at a time when many airlines were still heavily reliant on American-built aircraft. The first Airbus A300-600 made its maiden flight on 8 July 1983, and Saudi Arabian Airlines took delivery of the type shortly afterward in 1984, becoming the first operator. The aircraft quickly entered service on medium- and high-density regional routes across the Middle East.

The Gulf War in 1990-1991 posed additional challenges, as regional instability affected flight operations and demand, but Saudia maintained critical connectivity and supported logistical movements during the conflict.

A new corporate identity was launched on 16 July 1996, featuring a sand coloured fuselage with contrasting dark blue tailfin, the centre of which featured a stylized representation of the House of Saud crest. The Saudia name was dropped in the identity revamp, with the full Saudi Arabian Airlines name used.

During the late 1990s Saudia began introducing more wide-body aircraft capable of longer, more efficient intercontinental operations. The Boeing B777-200 arrived in 1997 which helped the airline retire older planes.

In 1998, the airline received its first McDonnell Douglas MD-11, as well as the McDonnell Douglas MD-90-30 for short and regional flights. Around the same time, the airline continued to expand its presence in Asia, launching or strengthening routes to cities such as Karachi, Mumbai, Kuala Lumpur and Manila.

At the end of the 1990s, services to Orlando, Chennai, Asmara, Washington, D.C., Johannesburg, Alexandria, Milan, Málaga (seasonal), and Sana'a (resumption) were introduced.

New female flight attendant uniforms designed by Adnan Akbar were introduced.

A major turning point came in 2006 when the Saudi government initiated a privatization strategy for the airline as part of broader economic reforms. This process involved restructuring Saudia into a holding company and spinning off various business units, including catering, cargo and ground services, into separate subsidiaries.

Around this time, Saudia also placed significant aircraft orders to modernize its fleet. In 2007, the airline received the first of 22 Airbus A320-family aircraft and 15 Airbus A321s for regional and domestic operations, marking a shift towards Airbus narrow-body aircraft.

In 2008, Saudia placed one of the largest aircraft orders in its history, including Boeing 777-300ERs and Airbus A330-300s, further modernizing its long-haul fleet. Deliveries of the A330-200 aircraft began in June 2009, enabling the airline to retire older Boeing 747-200s and L-1011 TriStars, which had been in service for decades.

A landmark achievement occurred in 2012 when Saudia Arabian officially joined the SkyTeam global airline alliance, becoming the first carrier from the Gulf region to do so.

The airline rebranded to its former brand name Saudia (used from 1972 to 1996) on 29 May 2012, dropping the Saudi Arabian Airlines branding entirely; the name was changed to celebrate the company's entry into the SkyTeam airline alliance on that day, and it was part of a larger rebranding initiative.

That year also marked the delivery of the first Boeing 777-300ER aircraft on 23 January 2012. Configured in a three-class layout, the 777-300ER was intended to become the backbone of Saudia’s long-haul operations, and it was specifically deployed to support new nonstop services such as routes from Saudi Arabia to Los Angeles and Toronto.

Between 2013 and 2016, Saudia introduced new routes to destinations in Europe, Asia and the United States, including increased services to cities such as Los Angeles and Toronto. It also strengthened its domestic network, supporting the growth of Saudi Arabia’s internal travel market. During this period, Saudia took delivery of additional Airbus A320-family aircraft, as well as Airbus A330's and Boeing 777-300ERs, plus the newer Boeing Dreamliner B787-9 which it received 4 units in 2016, gradually phasing out older aircraft types. The airline also invested in cabin upgrades, in-flight entertainment systems and service enhancements to improve passenger satisfaction.

Continuing with its expansion plans in 2016, Saudia announced one of the largest fleet expansion programs in its history, committing to acquire 63 additional aircraft, including 15 Boeing 777-300ERs, 13 Boeing 787 Dreamliners, and 35 Airbus A320/A321neo aircraft. The aggressive expansion strategy also included improving service quality, digital infrastructure, and global competitiveness.

In April 2016, Saudia announced the creation of a low-cost subsidiary named Flyadeal. The airline was launched as part of Saudia Group's SV 2020 Transformation Strategy. Flyadeal, which serves domestic and regional destinations, began operating in mid 2017.