Riyadh Air was founded back in 2023, as an ambitious and well-funded airline startup, intended as a second Saudi national airline, serving Riyadh (RUH). In March of that year, the airline announced an order for up to 72 Boeing 787-9s, and the first of those planes are now being delivered.
While the airline has technically already launched operations, for all practical purposes, this is the “real” start of the airline, with tickets actually being available to the public.
In this post:
Riyadh Air takes delivery of Boeing 787-9 Dreamliners
In March 2023, Riyadh Air placed an order for up to 72 Boeing 787-9s, including 39 firm orders and 33 options. This was the first aircraft type the airline ordered, and in the meantime, it has also ordered up to 60 Airbus A321neos and up to 50 Airbus A350-1000s.
Riyadh Air’s “formal” launch was delayed quite a bit, due to Dreamliner delivery delays. That was a combination of “Boeing’s gonna Boeing,” as well as some delays with cabins, both of which are pretty common nowadays.
Finally, at long last, delivery of these brand new planes is actually starting, with two planes currently enroute to Riyadh:
- The Dreamliner with the registration code HZ-RXAA is en route from Charleston (CHS)
- The Dreamliner with the registration code HZ-RXAB is en route from Everett (PAE)
- The plan is for the two planes to essentially “meet” over Europe, and then fly one behind the other, landing in Riyadh around the same time, on the morning of Friday, June 5, 2026
Now, it’s worth pointing out that prior to this, Riyadh already had one Boeing 787-9, with the registration code HZ-RXX. The plane is painted the same as the other Riyadh Air Dreamliners, but the interior is completely different. This is a plane that previously flew for Oman Air, so it still has those interiors.
Why does Riyadh Air have this seemingly random aircraft? Well, it’s what the airline initially used to get through its certification process, and for crew and pilot training. Riyadh Air actually launched regularly scheduled flights to London (LHR) with this aircraft as of late October 2025, but for the most part, they haven’t been open to the public.
So, why has Riyadh Air flown this route? Well, because it managed to secure Heathrow slots, and those have a “use it lose it” clause, so if the airline didn’t operate the flights, it would lose those slots. But the airline didn’t want to open flights to the public with a subpar product, so these flights have primarily been for employees of Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund (PIF).
Riyadh Air Boeing 787s boast 290 seats in three cabins
Riyadh Air unveiled its new cabins over a year ago, and they look beautiful. The entire fleet of Dreamliners is expected to feature 290 seats per plane, spread across three cabins (along with a “business class plus” product). Here’s how this is broken down:
- Four premium business class seats, in a 1-2-1 configuration
- 24 standard business class seats, in a 1-2-1 configuration
- 39 premium economy seats, in a 2-3-2 configuration
- 223 economy seats, in a 3-3-3 configuration
Throughout the plane, the airline will have free Viasat Wi-Fi, 4K OLED screens, and bluetooth audio, so the tech should be good. The cabins all look beautiful, and in business class, Riyadh Air is using the Safran Unity platform, which I’d consider to be among the best business class seats out there.
Riyadh Air’s new Boeing 787s will soon fly to London
As I recently covered, Riyadh Air flights between Riyadh and London are available to the general public on Riyadh Air’s website for bookings as of July 1, 2026, so that will be the formal launch of the airline, as intended.
The airline will continue operating that route daily, but it’ll finally be open to the public. Expect Riyadh Air to quickly expand its network beyond the initial route, given the number of aircraft on the way. The airline has quite the backlog of Dreamliners to be delivered.
Bottom line
In March 2023, Riyadh Air placed an order for up to 72 Boeing 787-9s, and the first of those are now being delivered. This is a major milestone for the airline, as it really represents the true unveiling of the carrier, after flying to Heathrow for over seven months without selling tickets to the public (more or less).
It’ll be very interesting to see how Riyadh Air evolves. Expect these planes to start flying to London by July 1 at the latest, and then we’ll see more routes soon thereafter.
What do you make of Riyadh Air’s Boeing 787 deliveries?
What a comment section
Next stop... Kuwait airport... *facepalm*
really hoping that the cash crunch in Saudi doesn't undercut the DL partnership strategy there, given that they don't have another serious mideast partner
Saudi Arabia's greatest advantage right now is that it is far from Iran - or at least major parts of the country
No joke
Do you actually know where Saudi oil fields and refineries are?
Seems you don’t
Dude
Get some sleep
You sound stupid
yh all i takes is one drone on the east-west pipeline and Saudi economy gets sent back to the stone age
once again, you try desperately to act like you are the expert and can't stand that someone else knows what they are talking about.
Go ahead and tell us the dates and locations since Feb 28 of Saudi airports that have been damaged.
and then let us know when the city and airport at Riyadh have been involved in any hostilities.
Yes, Saudi aviation has a geographic advantage right now.
and IF you want to...
once again, you try desperately to act like you are the expert and can't stand that someone else knows what they are talking about.
Go ahead and tell us the dates and locations since Feb 28 of Saudi airports that have been damaged.
and then let us know when the city and airport at Riyadh have been involved in any hostilities.
Yes, Saudi aviation has a geographic advantage right now.
and IF you want to talk about petroleum, let us know how much of the Gulf countries' exports is getting out
this project of Riyadh airport is funded by the oilfields, Tim. and yes they've been hit very recently by the Iranians.
Yes, the Saudis are VERY exposed to Iranian strikes.
Perhaps you've seen the news in the last two years. Those same ballistic missiles that hit Israel? They've also hit Saudi Arabia and it's well within their range.
http://www.gcmap.com/mapui?R=700nm%40ksh
try Google sometime.
Interesting to see more Premium Economy seats than Business class. Might give us some clues to where they plan to use these planes.
Specs volume that such a high class airline will rely on Viasat Wi-Fi.
That will go far
Speaks volumes…
Weren't these 787s heading to DL LTD? Too funny.
you're confused.
These were theirs all along.
how can a quality airline not choose Starlink?
you do realize that DL's 717s and 321NEOs will have dual antennas for low earth and high earth satellites?
so much for the notion that there will only be fast speed on Starlink.
as usual, another strike from the UA fan nut jobs.
shall we bet whether DL will be serving Riyadh before UA returns to Dubai?
Riyadh is a whole lot further from "the action"
LTD says, "you're confused. These were theirs all along."
It is you who said Delta could be taking Riyadh Air's 787 order positions when it became obvious that DL would have to wait five years for 787s.
Nice projection. You are continually 'confused'.
Nowhere did i ever say that Riyadh would give up its early delivery positions.
Nowhere
You’re clearly arguing to avoid admitting UA’s horrific baggage handling and that Delta is going to leave UA in the dust at LAX
It has been a rough week for the United nut jobs
lol.
@Rebel
we can disagree at times but we can always both get a good laugh at the computer algorithm in Tim's brain -- Deny Deny Deny things he said then -- errrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr; no automated response -- FREEEEEEEEEZE -- REBOOT COMPUTER -- restart programing -- "United Bag handling -- you can't stand to admit (topic that no one is talking about)... "
what a moron lol
good for Riyadh. Delta customers are going...
lol.
@Rebel
we can disagree at times but we can always both get a good laugh at the computer algorithm in Tim's brain -- Deny Deny Deny things he said then -- errrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr; no automated response -- FREEEEEEEEEZE -- REBOOT COMPUTER -- restart programing -- "United Bag handling -- you can't stand to admit (topic that no one is talking about)... "
what a moron lol
good for Riyadh. Delta customers are going to love the alcohol free premium hijab service all over the aircraft and Riyadh airport.
As much as you would like to make up your own reality, I never said that Delta would assume any of the early delivery positions for Riyadh
I have been wanting to ask you two clowns if United managed to get the light post out of the wing of that 764 at EWR
Now you are lying unless you have a very bad memory which I have to admit is a distinct possibility along with your inability to understand basic percentages and statistics unless they shine a flattering light on favorite air line.
you should be able to post a link if you think I said that DL would take over RX's early slots.
You can't because I didn't say it.
walk away and stop trying to stir the flame which ends up just burning you
Look at your own posts tim
If you’re that confident, ask Ben to back you up ;)
Are you that confident to ask Ben to reference your statements about that?
Do it then. Show us. You won’t because you did say that a lot
Poor pathetic little Timmy running away from you silly predictions.
Here’s TD's top 10 worst predictions/falsehoods.
1. DL can get Boeing delivery slots whenever they want them.
2. DL doesn't need aircraft in the near term.
3. DL is going to get Riyadh Air's close-in 787 delivery slots.
4. DL's A220 delivery delays are a swap for Air Asia's cancelled A339s slots.
5. UA permanently lost NYC share leadership...
Poor pathetic little Timmy running away from you silly predictions.
Here’s TD's top 10 worst predictions/falsehoods.
1. DL can get Boeing delivery slots whenever they want them.
2. DL doesn't need aircraft in the near term.
3. DL is going to get Riyadh Air's close-in 787 delivery slots.
4. DL's A220 delivery delays are a swap for Air Asia's cancelled A339s slots.
5. UA permanently lost NYC share leadership after spring 2025.
6. DL Tech Ops headed to $1B profit in next few years. Currently, $71m.
7. Amazon LEO will be better than Starlink. When?
8. DL leads BOS in market share.
9. UA uses 739s on EWR-LAX transcons.
10. DL is the leading US airline operationally and financially.
Tim, be curious and don't assume when you are ignorant :)
This airlines will likely operate a lot over Asia where Starlink is now allowed to operate. That is Viasat is a better choice.
They also have plans to install LEO satellites like Starlink in near future (which will take time) and the WiFi receivers can operate across multiple band and setellites. Viasat/GlobalExpress also have a very wider coverage and after their latest GEO...
Tim, be curious and don't assume when you are ignorant :)
This airlines will likely operate a lot over Asia where Starlink is now allowed to operate. That is Viasat is a better choice.
They also have plans to install LEO satellites like Starlink in near future (which will take time) and the WiFi receivers can operate across multiple band and setellites. Viasat/GlobalExpress also have a very wider coverage and after their latest GEO satellites speed is actually not bad. I used it in Etihad and it was about 15-20Mbps which is sufficient.
of course Viasat is sufficient and can do what other systems cannot.
and of course they are going to use LEO systems in conjunction with HEO which is exactly what DL is doing.
and yet we have heard INCESSANTLY from multiple sources including the Boarding Group's three stooges that Starlink will be superior and everyone else including DL that doesn't use Starlink will be at a disadvantage.
unlike some airlines that have a few...
of course Viasat is sufficient and can do what other systems cannot.
and of course they are going to use LEO systems in conjunction with HEO which is exactly what DL is doing.
and yet we have heard INCESSANTLY from multiple sources including the Boarding Group's three stooges that Starlink will be superior and everyone else including DL that doesn't use Starlink will be at a disadvantage.
unlike some airlines that have a few routes - at best - with free global WiFi for everyone on 10% of their mainline fleets, some airlines are already at 90% global coverage and growing.
RX has a few advantages going for it. Geography is one of them and not being like all of the other Middle East airlines is another.
Ben is right that a new airline is being born.
*This airline will likely operate a lot over Asia where Starlink is not allowed to operate. That is why Viasat is a better choice.
Fixed typos
To be fair, Starlink is a good option for airlines which operate largely in the Americas and Europe as it is indeed much more fast (especially if it is free for every passengers).
I remember reading an article recently where someone (probably Hughes not sure) is advertising Radome/Antennas that can receive signal from multiple providers so Airlines can change contracts much more easily without downtime. 2030s will be hopefully a lot more comfortable to travel...
To be fair, Starlink is a good option for airlines which operate largely in the Americas and Europe as it is indeed much more fast (especially if it is free for every passengers).
I remember reading an article recently where someone (probably Hughes not sure) is advertising Radome/Antennas that can receive signal from multiple providers so Airlines can change contracts much more easily without downtime. 2030s will be hopefully a lot more comfortable to travel in terms of premium cabins and comfortable higher humidity and lower pressure frames like 787/A350s in addition to working WiFi for everyone.
Looking forward to your trip report Ben!
I vividly remember detractors confidently saying this airline would never fly a single plane, what a time to be alive!
In all seriousness, it’ll take a few years for Riyadh Air’s full experience to be realized, considering that there’s a whole airport being built to act as its hub. I’d love to see a review once the full operation commences and not just the initial few routes. Reviews right now would be more of an “introduction” than anything else.