In the coming weeks, Riyadh Air is expected to place a huge aircraft order, for what will ultimately be the carrier’s flagship aircraft.
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Riyadh Air choosing 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 so far has ordered up to 72 Boeing 787-9s, and up to 60 Airbus A321neos.
We’ve known that the airline plans to order another wide body aircraft, and until recently, the airline was reportedly deciding between the Airbus A350 and Boeing 777X. According to widespread reports, Riyadh Air has ultimately decided to go with Airbus, and an order is expected to be announced at the upcoming Paris Air Show, taking place June 16 through June 22, 2025.
While exact details remain to be seen, the plan is for the airline to order roughly 50 Airbus A350s, with a particular focus on the A350-1000, which is the largest variant of the jet. We don’t know if the airline will exclusively order that aircraft, or if there might also be some of the smaller A350-900 variant in the mix.
The A350-1000 is one of the most in demand wide body jets, given its long range, high capacity, and great unit costs. One wonders how far into the future these deliveries will happen, given the challenges with securing a meaningful number of A350-1000 delivery slots.
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 upcoming 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
In the next couple of weeks, Riyadh Air is expected to place an order for roughly 50 Airbus A350s, with a particular focus on the A350-1000 variant. So far, Riyadh Air has ordered the 787-9 and A321neo, and we’ve known that the airline was trying to decide between the A350 and 777X for its flagship aircraft. It sounds like Airbus has won that battle…
What do you make of Riyadh Air’s expected A350 order?
"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."
Surely you jest. Just look at its proud {infamous} lineage, the 737MAX, from a once proud & respected company. And the other glitches, delays & setbacks from the Presidential 747-8's to the Starliner.... So shameful & sad....
Now 'the fox is guarding the henhouse' again, after their recent immoral settlement with the Feds.
I'm amazed that there are still people believe the B777X will ever be commercial... That A/C is build to show Airshows, nothing else!
..and to fulfill its destiny as a 'premium' hangar queen / king / non-binary !
Another airline buying the A350 because they have a future to plan and can't afford to wait for the 777-9 to be ready at some stage, who knows when, maybe never?
Crap country with crap religion which dominates every aspect of life orders crap plane. Next.
ORD, I see that you are knocking the colony again …. :-)
'colony' ?? or is he referring to the 'Kingdom' ??? ( or both ! ) ...lol
@ORD
Are you talking about the religion that have issues with abortion and LGBTIQCAPGNGFNBA2S+-×÷ identity or best yet ability to pardon friend families and followers.
" if the shoe fits.... " while "walking & quacking like a duck ..... ! "
..but they may get an exemption to serve alcohol, all for the infidel's $$ !
Could this be the first of many more Airbus orders?
Realistically, I do believe so.
Rolls Royce gonna love that.
Airbus would be delivering a whole lot more widebodies if Rolls could speed up production of the Trent XWB engines.
and, yes, Rolls Royce has made an amazing financial turnaround.
The scary thing about the A350K its that it can be even better if in the future they put the RR Ultra on it.
Therefor RR finally has to get its act together and move forward with the UltraFan. It's nice for shareholders to see earnings and profits, but the current CEO better address issues with the current engines, is getting the cost of long term maintenance agreements down into acceptable ranges and is making a step forward in the UltraFan development.
RR is Airbus's Achilles heel.
Everyone knows everything before an official announcement.
The A350-1000 - like the A350-900 - has more range than the 777-9, the first version to launch. In order to get the range that the 35K offers, Boeing is offering the 777-8 so the wait for an airplane with comparable range is realistically 5 years plus.
and the 35K is going to be smaller than the 777-9 which is better suited as a 747-8 or A380 replacement.
With the A350K 8,900 nautical miles range it can fly to almost any place.
B777-8 in 5yrs is being very optimistic.
The B777-8 freighter is expected to fly first before the passenger version.
B777-9 certification like late 2026 / early 2027.
B777-8f should realistically follow after 2 to 3yrs in 2029
The b777-8 might be at least 2031.
The first delivered B787-10 (which was launched the same year, in 2013) will be a teenager by then, 13 years.