New Saudi national carrier Riyadh Air completed its maiden passenger flight on 26th October, carrying staff members, partners, and other invited guests from Riyadh King Khalid International Airport (RUH) to London Heathrow (LHR).
The 6-hour flight represented Riyadh Air’s hope to launch daily services between the Saudi and British capitals. With a target of 100 network destinations within five years, the new airline has some of the most ambitious growth plans in the industry.
The inaugural Riyadh-Heathrow flight was conducted on a Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner on lease from Oman Air. Riyadh Air’s first orders for new proprietary aircraft are expected to be delivered before the end of 2025, which include 72 Dreamliners, 60 Airbus A321neo, and up to 50 A350s.
Riyadh Air will be conducting daily flights to test operations as part of its ‘Pathway to Perfect’ readiness plan. During this phase, service will be offered exclusively to invited guests and partners, including members of Saudi’s sovereign Public Investment Fund (PIF), which is financing the airline.
Riyadh Air CEO Tony Douglas commented earlier this month:
This isn’t just a launch; it’s the tangible realisation of a vision to connect Saudi Arabia to the world. This rigorous flight program allows us to fine-tune every detail, ensuring a seamless, reliable, and world-class experience.
Earlier in October, Riyadh Air also launched its loyalty programme, Sfeer. Named after the Arabic word for ‘ambassador’, the airlines hopes to set new standards for rewards. Key benefits include the ability to share points with friends and family, a no-expiry points policy, and gamified challenges to encourage engagement.
A key component of the Vision 2030 programme, Riyadh Air aims to boost connectivity to the Saudi Arabian capital and other airports across the nation. This sets the airline apart from regional competitors such as Emirates and Qatar Airways, which have prioritised connecting passengers to other international destinations. Through Vision 2030, the country hopes to welcome 150 million visitors a year by 2030 as it seeks to diversify its economy through tourism.
Boasting a luxurious design, digital-native infrastructure, and US$40 billion of aircraft, Riyadh Air’s full launch is hotly anticipated by the rest of the aviation industry. With tickets set to release to the public before the end of 2025, many will be watching to see if the new carrier can exceed expectations and bolster Saudi Arabia’s economy as planned.
Join us at Aviation Festival Asia 2026, where Amine Boulaghmen, Director of Payments for Riyadh Air, will be discussing the new airline’s cutting-edge payments strategy.
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