As has been rumored in recent weeks, airline startup Riyadh Air has just placed a significant aircraft order, for what will ultimately be the carrier’s flagship aircraft.
In this post:
Riyadh Air chooses Airbus A350 over Boeing 777X
Airline startup Riyadh Air is expected to launch operations in late 2025, as Saudi Arabia’s ambitious new carrier, connecting Riyadh (RUH) to the world. The company has huge growth plans, and prior to today, has ordered up to 72 Boeing 787-9s, and up to 60 Airbus A321neos.
We’ve known that the airline planned to order another wide body aircraft, and until recently, the airline was reportedly deciding between the Airbus A350 and Boeing 777X. That decision has now been made, and has been announced at the Paris Air Show, which launched today.
Riyadh Air has placed an order for up to 50 Airbus A350-1000s. This includes a firm order for 25 jets, and options for 25 additional jets.
The A350-1000 is one of the most in demand wide body jets, given its long range, high capacity, and great unit costs. It’s the larger of the two existing A350 variants. It’s not yet clear when these planes will be delivered, though one certainly wonders, given the demand for this jet.
It’s not surprising to see Riyadh Air select the A350, given that the 777X hasn’t even been certified yet, and is six years behind schedule. So going with the 777X seems like a bit of a gamble. Then again, once it’s actually flying, it should be a pretty great aircraft.
The A350 will be Riyadh Air’s flagship aircraft
While Riyadh Air will be launching operations with the Boeing 787, the long term plan is for the Airbus A350 to be the carrier’s flagship aircraft. That’s to say that eventually (who knows when), the A350 will operate from Riyadh to the carrier’s most important markets.
For example, Riyadh Air has recently unveiled its planned Boeing 787s cabins, and they look great. However, the airline opted not to offer first class on these jets, though does plan to offer first class on its upcoming flagship aircraft (the A350).
Riyadh Air has made a lot of promises about its passenger experience, and I look forward to seeing what kind of an experience the airline is actually able to deliver. It’s certainly one of the most well funded and thoughtful airline startups we’ve seen in a long time.
Bottom line
Riyadh Air is has placed an order for up to 50 Airbus A350-1000s, with 25 firm orders and 25 options. Prior to this, Riyadh Air had ordered the Boeing 787-9 and Airbus A321neo. The new A350-1000 will be Riyadh Air’s flagship aircraft, and this order beat out the Boeing 777-9.
What do you make of Riyadh Air’s Airbus A350-1000 order?
Yay! Nice to see them going for true premium with the A350 instead of closing the cheap and narrow 787.
Well folks, I’ve looked high and low for some positive Boeing news from the Paris Airshow, sadly I cannot find anything good or bad to report. It looks like it was a strong Airbus aircraft order day.
Boeing doesn't hold orders for air shows anymore, and hasn't for the better part of a decade.
They just had huge orders within the last month, so it's not like they're hurting in that department. They COULD be, if the Air India crash turns out to be more of an issue with the aircraft or its systems, than pilot error. But that's just speculation, at this point.
I am disappointed with b787 business class product and I hope they bring a revolutionary business and exciting first class to their a350
as much as some people are enamored with first class, remember that the US carriers led the end of first class and the introduction of enhanced business class 20+ years ago.
The economics just might not favor a first class product at Riyadh but rather a ME3 leading business class product
@ Tim Dunn -- I'll play, for once. "The US carriers led the end of first class and the introduction of enhanced business class 20+ years ago."
By what metric (specifically) did US carriers lead the way when it comes to introducing enhanced business class? Wouldn't you give that credit to British Airways, which was first to introduce flat bed business class, while maintaining first class?
Ben, serious question if you please?
The Paris or Farnborough Airshows …. not interesting enough for you? I would have thought that they offer you lots of article material?
@ AeroB13a -- They're both super interesting to me! Are you asking why I don't attend? If so, it's pretty simple. While they're cool and it's nice to see people, it's not actually useful for the purposes of the blog, in my opinion.
For example, I can see all the press releases about aircraft orders from the comfort of my home, and I can also publish the stories much faster. If I were to attend...
@ AeroB13a -- They're both super interesting to me! Are you asking why I don't attend? If so, it's pretty simple. While they're cool and it's nice to see people, it's not actually useful for the purposes of the blog, in my opinion.
For example, I can see all the press releases about aircraft orders from the comfort of my home, and I can also publish the stories much faster. If I were to attend these shows, I'd be getting to these stories later than others, and I'm not sure what exactly I'd gain.
However, maybe to mix things up, I should attend some time. Appreciate the idea. :-)
Ben, I appreciate your candid comments, thank you. Today is another ’school day’ for me as I had not appreciated your viewpoint.
While orders are nice, it's been quite dull and lackluster the past couple of years; I would like to be pleasantly surprised for once with regards to orders.
What I look forward to now are the Skytrax awards and cabin unveils. Boeing is expected to have the 777X cabin mockup at the airshow as well as ANAs "The Room FX" scheduled to be unveiled on the 17th.
"it's been quite dull and lackluster the past couple of years; I would like to be pleasantly surprised for once with regards to orders."
What does that even mean?
You're not likely to ever have completely-out-of-left-field major orders anymore, in the age of instant media. Something always leaks, then Av-Geeks go wild with speculation. So the hints are always there.
That there's only about 7 major types of aircraft available (E-Jet, 737, A32X, 787,...
"it's been quite dull and lackluster the past couple of years; I would like to be pleasantly surprised for once with regards to orders."
What does that even mean?
You're not likely to ever have completely-out-of-left-field major orders anymore, in the age of instant media. Something always leaks, then Av-Geeks go wild with speculation. So the hints are always there.
That there's only about 7 major types of aircraft available (E-Jet, 737, A32X, 787, A330NEO, 777, A350) to choose from, from the major providers, also limits the amount of "surprises."
@ImmortalSynn
The suspense and surprises are gone. It's either firming an order or something expected.
From what I can recall, EVA and KLMs A350 order was the last surprise order at least for me especially that they've exclusively operated GE engines. Same could be said about Korean's A350 order.
IAG or Qatar ordering more of what they have? Meh.
Don't get me wrong, new orders are great. I just would love to see an order that we didn't expect.
@Mike O.,
No offense, but that's more a function of you not paying attention, than of any "surprise."
EVA itself had publicly expressed its interest in the A350 more than 6mo before the order. AF/KLM had mentioned the possibility of A350s for KLM in their annual report, before it happened as well. Neither was anything close to a surprise.
"By what metric (specifically) did US carriers lead the way when it comes to introducing enhanced business class? Wouldn't you give that credit to British Airways, which was first to introduce flat bed business class, while maintaining first class?"
I hate to say it, but Tim's not wrong.
Continental was the first major longhaul carrier to completely abandon First (something BA has never done) in favor of bolstering its Business class as its top-end product,...
"By what metric (specifically) did US carriers lead the way when it comes to introducing enhanced business class? Wouldn't you give that credit to British Airways, which was first to introduce flat bed business class, while maintaining first class?"
I hate to say it, but Tim's not wrong.
Continental was the first major longhaul carrier to completely abandon First (something BA has never done) in favor of bolstering its Business class as its top-end product, meant to compete against carriers offering both.
And that was 1992, long before BA did any proximate thing.
Yes, BA was first to introduce the horizontally flat Business class seat in 1999, they weren't the first (or even second) to bolster Biz class, by a long shot.
Ben,
since British Airways didn't end first class, then only part of the sentence you wrote is correct, right?
I believe it was Continental then Northwest and Delta that led the US industry in enhanced business class.
and I stand by my statement that first class is just not worth it for a growing number of airlines.
It not only requires flawless execution but is costly to produce because the market for it...
Ben,
since British Airways didn't end first class, then only part of the sentence you wrote is correct, right?
I believe it was Continental then Northwest and Delta that led the US industry in enhanced business class.
and I stand by my statement that first class is just not worth it for a growing number of airlines.
It not only requires flawless execution but is costly to produce because the market for it is so small.
I would not be surprised if Riyadh does not have a longhaul first class cabin.
A serious question for you Ken, if you please?
What is your disappoint of the B787 Business Class product?
Is it the seat or the service, etc?
It's the seat, we know nothing about the service lol he seat has nothing exciting, I wouldn't fly them unless they offer crazy fares and I have to be somewhere and their schedule works well
One has to wonder if the Boeing CEO is using the Boeing 787 Air India crash, as an excuse for not facing the music at the Paris Air Show today.
Just waiting around hoping someone responds to your tim-like trolling?
Thank you Geneva, for your off topic comment. Without the likes of you this blog would be far less fun …. :-)
@AeroB13a
The original AeroB13a sucks. Always making racist and genocidal comments supporting Israel's crimes.
Thank you Vikram, for your off topic comment too old bean.
Please be advised that the AeroB13a imposter has been suitably dealt with for their actions.
Yes, I support Israel unreservedly in their efforts to repatriate their citizens who were taken and are being held hostage by the Palestinian Hamas terrorists.
Yes, I support Israel unreservedly in their efforts to protect their citizens from terrorism perpetuated by Hamas, Hezbollah and the Iranian...
Thank you Vikram, for your off topic comment too old bean.
Please be advised that the AeroB13a imposter has been suitably dealt with for their actions.
Yes, I support Israel unreservedly in their efforts to repatriate their citizens who were taken and are being held hostage by the Palestinian Hamas terrorists.
Yes, I support Israel unreservedly in their efforts to protect their citizens from terrorism perpetuated by Hamas, Hezbollah and the Iranian backed Houthi terrorists.
Yes, I support Israel unreservedly in their efforts to prevent the evil axis of power in Iran, from obtaining weapons of mass destruction and using them to destroy all Israeli citizens. Thereafter, threatening the peace in other local countries and the world beyond.
Yes, I thank the brave IDF and other government agencies who are taking the fight for their survival to the head of the snakes who wish them nothing but harm.
Your response to my comment is?
@AeroB13a
No bigger terrorist exists in this world than the Zionist state. The world has seen their lies and crimes but still silent. Israel is an illegal European country in the Middle East.
Well now Vikram, what a pathetically unrealistic statement from someone who is apparently totally unaware of the facts surrounding Israel and those who (like you it seems) wish the citizens harm. If you are religious, may whatever God you pray to, forgive your blind hypocrisy.
@AeroB13a
Well according to Reuters, Boeing CEO Kelly Ortberg said in a message to staff on Thursday evening that he and Boeing Commercial Airplanes boss Stephanie Pope had canceled plans to attend the Paris Airshow "so we can be with our team and focus on our customer and the investigation."
So I guess you're right
Now why is one not surprised?
The first of many Airbus orders to be announced at the Paris Airshow.
Tomorrow we will find out the scores on the doors with the World Airline Ranking announcement.