Riyadh Air is Saudi Arabia’s new national airline, which has big growth plans. There are many things that are unique about the airline, including that it plans to have two liveries. Back in June 2023, the airline revealed its first livery, and now the airline has revealed its second livery.
Riyadh Air shows off two livery designs
In June 2023, Riyadh Air showed off its first of two livery designs, which the company described as “a perfect blend of cutting-edge technology and timeless elegance.” The livery was being shown off on a Boeing 787-9, which the airline has ordered up to 72 of (including 39 firm orders and 33 options).
We’ve known that the airline would be introducing a second livery soon, and that has finally happened, as it has been unveiled today. It’s interesting, because for the second livery, the tail and engines basically looks identical. The major difference is that most of the body of the aircraft is white, rather than purple.
It’s not entirely clear yet how Riyadh Air intends to implement these two liveries. It’s expected that the airline will fly at least two aircraft types, so will one type of plane in the fleet get one livery, and the other type of plane in the fleet will get the other livery? Or will each type of aircraft have some planes with both liveries?
A lot of airlines have gotten less creative with their liveries over the years. Many airlines have the same livery concept, with a white fuselage, bold letters, and a logo with some art on the tail. So Riyadh Air planes with the first kind of livery will most definitely stand out, given the purple and blue colors, with all kinds of cool visual effects.
Liveries tend to greatly divide people. Some people may think a new livery is the greatest thing ever, while others think it’s awful. Personally I think the first livery is one of the coolest out there. It’s unique, it’s modern, and it’s really pretty! At least that’s my take. However, I’m not sure I get the logic of having a second livery that’s basically just a toned down version of the first one.
Expect Riyadh Air to launch operations in 2025
For some context, Riyadh Air is Saudi Arabia’s new national airline, and it’s a key part of the country’s goal of greatly increasing tourism. The plan is to make Riyadh Air the size of Emirates, but in a small fraction of the time. The airline has ordered Boeing 787s so far, and it’s expected that a Boeing 737 order will be placed soon as well. As of now the plan is for Riyadh Air to launch flights in 2025, though details beyond that remain pretty limited.
There are certainly some major questions about Riyadh Air. Why establish a second national airline that competes with the existing national airline, rather than just growing the existing one? Can this airline really make money?
One thing is for sure, though. Saudi Arabia is serious about launching this airline, and the company has recruited an incredible amount of talent from all over the industry to run this airline. It’s amazing how many people who I respect have quit their senior jobs at other airlines to pursue opportunities with Riyadh Air.
So the airline has a lot of talent working in Riyadh, though there are no doubt some other major hurdles to overcome, not the least of which is normalizing travel to and through Saudi Arabia for the average person who isn’t from the region.
Bottom line
Riyadh Air has now unveiled both of its aircraft liveries. The first livery is easily one of my favorite aircraft liveries that I’ve ever seen — it’s bold, modern, and unique. The second livery, meanwhile, is just a toned down version of the first livery, so I’m not sure exactly what purpose that serves.
I can’t wait to learn more details about the airline, and in particular, about the passenger experience.
What do you make of Riyadh Air’s two liveries?
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