Riyadh Air: Saudi Arabia's New Airline Is Here — Routes, Fleet, Launch Date, and Everything You Need to Know
A New Chapter in Saudi Aviation
Riyadh Air is Saudi Arabia's newest airline, backed by the Public Investment Fund (PIF) as part of the kingdom's Vision 2030 strategy to become a global aviation hub. The airline made history on October 26, 2025, when its inaugural Boeing 787 Dreamliner flight departed Riyadh's King Khalid International Airport bound for London Heathrow.
While that first flight was restricted to employees and PIF affiliates, the airline is now preparing for its full public launch. Here is everything we know about Riyadh Air as of early 2026.
First Flights and Current Status
Riyadh Air's first commercial flight on October 26, 2025 operated using a leased Boeing 787 aircraft named "Jamila." The airline has been running daily service between Riyadh and London Heathrow since then, but tickets have been limited to select customers — employees, their families, PIF staff, and PIF subsidiary employees.
According to CEO Tony Douglas, the airline needs "a minimum of three aircraft before you can operate general public sales to a level that I'd be happy with." The public launch was targeted for Q1 2026 (January-March), but Boeing delivery delays have made the exact timing uncertain.
As of early March 2026, Riyadh Air has not yet opened ticket sales to the general public. Reports indicate the airline's London Heathrow flights are "virtually full" with the limited customer base, which is a positive sign for demand.
Confirmed and Planned Routes
Riyadh Air has confirmed or indicated the following destinations:
- London Heathrow (LHR): Currently operating daily. First route launched October 26, 2025.
- Dubai (DXB): Named as the second destination. Expected to launch once more aircraft are available.
- Cairo (CAI): Named as the third passenger destination, with daily Boeing 787-9 service planned.
Beyond these three, the airline has confirmed that its initial route network will not be limited to Europe. Southeast Asia, North Africa, and Europe will all feature in the early destinations. CEO Tony Douglas has said the airline plans to announce two new destinations per month for the next five years, working toward the goal of 100 destinations by 2030.
Fleet: Boeing 787, Airbus A350, and A321neo
Riyadh Air has placed orders for 124 aircraft across three types:
- 39 Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner: The workhorse of the long-haul fleet. The first aircraft completed test flights from Charleston, South Carolina in late 2025. The third 787 rolled off the production line in December 2025. FAA certification of the first aircraft to Riyadh Air's specific configuration has been the main bottleneck delaying deliveries.
- 25 Airbus A350-1000: Ordered at the Paris Air Show in June 2025 for ultra-long-haul routes. These will operate the longest routes in the network.
- 60 Airbus A321neo: For domestic Saudi routes and short-haul regional flying. These are expected to arrive in the second half of 2026, enabling domestic services.
The delivery plan calls for one aircraft per month initially, rising to two per month by late 2026 when A321neos begin arriving, and three per month from 2028 onward.
The World's First "AI-Native" Airline
One of the most distinctive aspects of Riyadh Air is its partnership with IBM to become what they call the world's first "AI-native" airline. Unlike traditional carriers that retrofit AI onto legacy systems, Riyadh Air is building its technology stack from scratch with AI at the core.
What this means in practice:
- Customer service: AI voice bots handle initial passenger inquiries, with AI systems assisting human agents for complex issues.
- Operations: AI-powered crew scheduling, maintenance prediction, and route optimization.
- Employee tools: A personalized digital workplace powered by AI agents for internal operations.
- Huawei partnership: In December 2025, Riyadh Air signed an MoU with Huawei to develop its next-generation digital ecosystem using cloud, AI, and mobility services.
Sfeer Loyalty Program
Riyadh Air has launched its loyalty program called "Sfeer" (Arabic for "ambassador"). While full details on earning and redemption rates are not yet public, the program was announced alongside the London flights and is expected to integrate with partner airline frequent flyer programs. Given the airline's cooperation agreements with both SkyTeam and Star Alliance members, Sfeer could offer unusually broad earning and redemption options.
Airline Partnerships and Alliances
Riyadh Air has secured an unusually wide network of cooperation agreements for a startup airline:
SkyTeam Partners
- Delta Air Lines: Partnership agreement in place. Delta is also launching nonstop Atlanta-Riyadh flights (expected fall 2026) on the Airbus A350.
- China Eastern Airlines
- Saudia (fellow Saudi carrier and SkyTeam member)
- Air France-KLM
- Virgin Atlantic
Star Alliance Partners
- Turkish Airlines
- Singapore Airlines
- Air China
- EgyptAir
This dual-alliance partnership strategy is unusual in the industry and could give Riyadh Air passengers access to a very broad network of connecting flights and lounge access from day one.
Riyadh Cargo
On January 21, 2026, Riyadh Air announced the establishment of Riyadh Cargo, its dedicated freight division. This signals the airline's ambition to be a full-service carrier competing not just for passengers but also for the lucrative Middle East cargo market.
What This Means for GCC Travelers
Riyadh Air's entry into the market is significant for several reasons:
- More competition: Another major carrier means more options and potentially lower fares on routes from Saudi Arabia, particularly Riyadh-London, Riyadh-Dubai, and Riyadh-Cairo.
- Premium product: Early reports suggest Riyadh Air is positioning itself as a premium carrier with modern interiors and strong service — similar to Qatar Airways' strategy.
- Riyadh as a hub: The airline's growth will strengthen Riyadh as a connecting hub, potentially offering competitive alternatives to Dubai, Doha, and Abu Dhabi for transit between Europe and Asia.
- Vision 2030 alignment: The airline is a key part of Saudi Arabia's plan to attract 150 million visitors by 2030, meaning its growth is backed by significant government investment.
When Can You Book
The most important question for travelers: when can you actually buy a ticket? While Q1 2026 was the target, Boeing delivery delays mean the exact public launch date remains uncertain. The best approach is to:
- Visit riyadhair.com and register for updates to be notified when public ticket sales open.
- Watch for destination announcements — the airline has said these will come before public booking opens.
- Check back on this page — we will update it when Riyadh Air opens bookings.
In the meantime, compare current flight options from Riyadh on altayran.com to find the best fares across all operating airlines.
For more on Saudi aviation and travel, read our article about Saudi Arabia's tourism boom in 2026.
Read Also
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- Middle East Flights Suspended: Full List of Affected Routes and What Travelers Should Do (March 2026)
- Middle East Flight Disruptions in 2026: Routes, Prices, and What GCC Travelers Should Do
- Istanbul Travel Guide for GCC Travelers: What to Know in 2026
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