Riyadh Air have officially launched online and in-app booking, with its first commercial flights scheduled for 1 July 2026.
The public launch will begin on the Riyadh King Khalid-London Heathrow route, to be served exclusively by Boeing 787-9 Dreamliners. Daily flights from each destination will soon by joined by Jeddah, Dubai, Manchester, Madrid, and Cairo as the new Saudi Arabian airline makes its debut.
Tony Douglas, CEO of Riyadh Air, said:
Today marks a truly exciting milestone for Riyadh Air as we introduce our new aircraft and signature premium experience on our established London route. It demonstrates our deep commitment to delivering a truly world-class journey for our guests, one that blends exceptional comfort, cutting-edge technology and our distinctive Saudi ‘Hafawa’ hospitality from the moment they step on board.
Riyadh Air claim their modern retailing system makes them the only airline to operate PSS-free without legacy architecture. Built in partnership with FLYR, the digital infrastructure will become more advanced with time.
As part of its Pathway to Perfect programme, Riyadh Air will continue to operate flights on the Riyadh-London route for select guests until the end of June. Founding members of the loyalty programme Sfeer will enjoy unique benefits as booking opens, including free WiFi and other exclusive rewards.
Riyadh Air is positioning itself as a high-end full-service carrier to rival regional leaders such as Emirates and Qatar Airways. Previews of the cabin interior highlight the ergonomic seats and inflight amenities, including IFE Bluetooth connectivity and a range of luxurious goods for business class passengers.
However, the airline enters the market at a difficult moment. Due to the ongoing conflict in the Middle East, jet fuel prices have risen significantly. As well as high fares, customers have further been deterred from booking due to uncertainty over the geopolitical situation. Saudi Arabia has tried to distance itself from the airspace closures that brought travel hubs in the Gulf, including Dubai and Doha, to a standstill in March.
Attracting international tourists is a central pillar of the government’s Vision 2030 programme, designed to diversify the Saudi economy from oil and gas. Riyadh Air was established as a key component of the strategy. Flagship partnerships with Disney, IBM, Mastercard, and others hope to position the carrier at the cutting-edge of aviation service. In today’s volatile aviation and travel market, Riyadh Air’s launch will be closely monitored to assess where it falls short of expectations, and where it succeeds.
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