Startup Riyadh Air Orders Up To 72 Boeing 787s

Startup Riyadh Air Orders Up To 72 Boeing 787s

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Riyadh Air, Saudi Arabia’s new national airline that plans to take on Emirates, has just placed a massive aircraft order.

Riyadh Air Boeing 787 order confirmed

Riyadh Air has just placed an order for Boeing 787-9s. Specifically, the newly formed company has placed a firm order for 39 Boeing 787-9s, with options for a further 33 of these jets.

Here’s what Riyadh Air CEO Tony Douglas had to say about this aircraft order:

“The new airline reflects the ambitious vision of Saudi Arabia to be at the core of shaping the future of global air travel and be a true disrupter in terms of customer experience.”

“Riyadh Air’s commitment to its customers will see the integration of digital innovation and authentic Saudi hospitality to deliver a seamless travel experience. By positioning the airline as both a global connector and a vehicle to drive tourist and business travel to Saudi Arabia, our new 787-9 airplanes will serve as a foundation for our worldwide operations, as we build the wider network and connect our guests to Saudi Arabia and many destinations around the world.”

As of now, there are no further details yet about the potential delivery timeline for these jets, though I’d have to imagine that Riyadh Air is hoping to acquire them ASAP.

It’s expected that Riyadh Air will place another aircraft order with Boeing soon, with a Boeing 737 MAX order being highly likely, to allow the carrier to build its regional network. It’s anyone’s guess if we also eventually see an order for the Boeing 777X, which is Boeing’s heavily delayed new flagship long haul aircraft.

This investment is coming on the part of Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund (PIF), which owns the new airline. These plane orders are intended to support Saudi Arabia’s vision of attracting 100 million visitors annually by 2030.

Riyadh Air has ordered the Boeing 787-9

Riyadh Air Airbus A350 order also rumored

It’s also worth mentioning that in October 2022, Reuters reported that Riyadh Air was expected to place an order for 40 Airbus A350s, worth $12 billion at list prices. It’s not entirely clear what happened to that order. I suspect that Riyadh Air will be placing big orders with both Airbus and Boeing, in order to grow at the pace that it wants to.

However, in the end an order with Boeing was finalized before an order with Airbus. Politically it’s interesting to see this, given deepening tensions between the United States and Saudi Arabia.

Riyadh Air will likely also order Airbus A350s

The basics of Riyadh Air, Saudi Arabia’s new airline

For some background on Riyadh Air (which initially used the name “RIA”), this is Saudi Arabia’s plan to launch a new mega-airline that’s intended to compete with the other major Gulf carriers. Saudi Arabia is investing in tourism to a scale we haven’t ever seen before, and part of that involves a new airline. The country plans to invest $100 billion in aviation by 2030.

The plan is for Riyadh Air to be a Riyadh-based airline. Current national airline Saudia will continue to exist, but will be Jeddah-based. The airline will serve both tourists and business travelers, and the goal is to become the size of Emirates, but in a quarter as much time. The airline will largely focus on transit passengers traveling between other countries, which might be a tough sell among many travelers, given Saudi Arabia’s reputation.

Before anyone thinks this is just a theoretical concept, this airline absolutely seems to be a thing that Saudi Arabia is committed to. The country poached former Etihad CEO Tony Douglas to run the airline. Several other key airline executives have also been hired by the new company.

Riyadh Air poached former Etihad CEO Tony Douglas

Bottom line

Saudi Arabian airline startup Riyadh Air has just placed its first aircraft order. The airline will be acquiring up to 72 Boeing 787-9s, with 39 firm orders and 33 options. I expect that this will only be the first of many new aircraft orders, given the pace at which this airline is looking to grow.

While we’ve obviously seen Gulf airlines grow over the years, the plans for Riyadh Air are truly unprecedented, as we’ve never seen such an ambitious and well funded airline project. It’s going to be interesting to see how this all plays out.

What do you make of Riyadh Air’s aircraft order?

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  1. Brianair Guest

    Good luck, Rhea! I thought you’d go for bigger planes like the A350/77W/77X though.

  2. BenjaminGuttery Diamond

    I thought Tony Douglas left already? I remember a post you did about it......

  3. Joe Guest

    If you choose your airline based on whether you can have a drink, you might be an alcoholic.

  4. Alex Guest

    Hey there,

    I stumbled upon your travel blog website and I'm absolutely loving it! Your posts are so informative and inspiring, and they've given me some great ideas for my own travels. I especially enjoyed your recent post on Travel blog about India, and I can't wait to see where you'll take us next!

    Thanks for sharing your experiences with the world, and keep up the amazing work! I'll definitely be following along on your adventures.

    Best,
    Alex

  5. Josh Guest

    No thank you.

    Saudia is one of the worst cargo carriers in the region, and their RUH hub is TERRIBLE. Incredibly expensive rates, cargo terminal run by idiots and it can take days to connect cargo between flights when it should take hours. Unless RIA builds out their own cargo ops (they won’t) it’s going to just be the same terrible under a new fancy logo.

    As someone who views long-haul flying as an excuse...

    No thank you.

    Saudia is one of the worst cargo carriers in the region, and their RUH hub is TERRIBLE. Incredibly expensive rates, cargo terminal run by idiots and it can take days to connect cargo between flights when it should take hours. Unless RIA builds out their own cargo ops (they won’t) it’s going to just be the same terrible under a new fancy logo.

    As someone who views long-haul flying as an excuse to drink well, this airline won’t get a dollar of my passenger spend.

    And considering the human rights violations of the Saudi regime and Prince Bone Saw, I can’t think of a single good reason to throw them an extra dollar I don’t have to.

  6. Chris Guest

    Whatever happened to the report that Tony Douglas had left RIA? You posted that at the end of January?

  7. dn10 Guest

    Isn't the point of making a separate airline to attract westerners. So they'd serve alcohol.

  8. Malc Diamond

    The airline is still referred to as RIA in this article published yesterday in Saudi's largest English-language newspaper: https://www.arabnews.com/node/2268021/saudi-arabia

  9. bruh Guest

    as one would expect, there will always be 3 comments in every post of Ben's,

    - the guy who would say "I bet Tim Dunn is gon talk about Delta."
    - Tim Dunn who is gon talk about Delta
    - the guy who says "professional airline analysts are taking note of observations of armchair analysts making in-depth route observations in this comment section".

    1. ConcordeBoy Diamond

      With "...but will it serve liquor?" being the runner up for anything Saudi related.

  10. Jo Momma Guest

    How can they become a major player if they are going to be (assuming) a "dry" airline? I certainly don't want to be stuck on an airplane for 12 hours without a cocktail. Just sayin'

    1. Heathrow_LHR Guest

      "How can they become a major player if they are going to be (assuming) a "dry" airline?"

      Because far fewer people than you seem to think, choose a flight based on alcohol. I'm aware that that's a novel concept to alcoholics, but it's largely true of the traveling populace.

    2. Airfarer Diamond

      I would venture that it's nothing to do with alcoholism. Flying with an airline that does not serve alcohol, tacitly supports religion. Which I do not.

    3. DCAWABN Guest

      This is it right here. The alcohol issue is merely an indicator of the larger mindset of the airline. It's probably hypocritical that I enjoy EK and EY, but I also know that those countries specifically cater to Westerners so their archaic laws are rarely/never enforced. That admittedly ain't great, but it's better than nothing, I guess. And lightyears ahead of the KSA which isn't anywhere close to being aware of non-Muslims. So any airline...

      This is it right here. The alcohol issue is merely an indicator of the larger mindset of the airline. It's probably hypocritical that I enjoy EK and EY, but I also know that those countries specifically cater to Westerners so their archaic laws are rarely/never enforced. That admittedly ain't great, but it's better than nothing, I guess. And lightyears ahead of the KSA which isn't anywhere close to being aware of non-Muslims. So any airline that really, truly aligns itself with a religion, I'm gonna take a hard pass. El Al is in the same boat for me, if I'm going to be blunt about it. I don't find Judaism as offensive as Islam towards "non-believers", but I don't care for the Sabbath schedule nonsense and other Jewish-specific requirements to which they adhere. It's all about forcing your religious beliefs on others, and I'm not here for it. So I'll vote with my wallet. If there was some "Christian" airline, I'd also avoid it, too.

    4. ConcordeBoy Diamond

      I would venture that it's nothing to do with alcoholism.

      I'd say it does.

      If someone can't envision themselves comfortably making it through XX hrs in any situation without having liquor, then they've got bigger problems than religion, boredom, or whatever distractor they've come up with to further their denial....

    5. Azamaraal Diamond

      So according to you if you choose an airline based on the cuisine you have an eating disorder?

      You sound like you wrote the book for the WCTU. Evil alcohol shall not cross these lips?

      Bring back prohibition, you say?

    6. ConcordeBoy Diamond

      So according to you if you choose an airline based on the cuisine you have an eating disorder?

      Well, no... the (actual) such equivalent would be closer to "if you can't make it XX hrs without food, you might be a hypoglycemic."

      But at least you tried.

    7. Nick Guest

      It’s pretty simple… unless they are gonna charge considerable less for the ticket, I’ll always prefer the one that comes with Dom Perignon or similar included… it makes more sense to than the one that only serves $0.25 mint tea…

    8. Nick Guest

      Aaaand Nick has nailed it. When we're talking about paying sub 1000 (insert your currently of choice here) business class fares from North Africa to Asia we don't mind no alcohol. But if they're looking at charging in the same ball park as those that do serve alcohol then it's not a level comparison. Transit KSA and have no alcohol? I'm choosing the alternative. Right now. In 3 years time when they've got 50 planes? Who knows...

    9. Azamaraal Diamond

      It is an interesting comment that if alcohol is a basis for choosing an airline the pax must be an alcoholic. I think that says a great deal more about the person making the comment than about me.

      I travel for a holiday and experience. But the holiday begins with the flight. It is so wonderful to get on a plane to anywhere and sit back with a welcome glass of Krug (or Salmon or...

      It is an interesting comment that if alcohol is a basis for choosing an airline the pax must be an alcoholic. I think that says a great deal more about the person making the comment than about me.

      I travel for a holiday and experience. But the holiday begins with the flight. It is so wonderful to get on a plane to anywhere and sit back with a welcome glass of Krug (or Salmon or whatever) and enjoy the ride. My meals are always paired with an appropriate wine (which unfortunately is sometimes hare to do while airborne).

      So I will not be flying this particular airline unless the class of service is equivalent to Qatar, Etihad or Emirates (all three which are Muslim countries).

      If the passengers are the same as those flying from Bahrain to Dammam it would be hypocritical to make it a "dry" airline.

    10. Heathrow_LHR Guest

      @Azamaraal
      Then you should pay better attention, because that's not what was said. The first part is a simple fact, people choose carriers primarily for price and or schedule. Brand, seats, comfort, miles, elite status, lounge access, and all that other shit that we obsess over here, are merely an afterthought for the flying majority. This includes alcohol.

      The second part was in fairness a generalization, but one I know to be true for...

      @Azamaraal
      Then you should pay better attention, because that's not what was said. The first part is a simple fact, people choose carriers primarily for price and or schedule. Brand, seats, comfort, miles, elite status, lounge access, and all that other shit that we obsess over here, are merely an afterthought for the flying majority. This includes alcohol.

      The second part was in fairness a generalization, but one I know to be true for a simple reason. I was an alcoholic, thus I know how we act. So yes, we would be stunned at the idea that there are people who couldn't care less whether an airline serves alcohol or not and what kind. And I agree 100% with the poster who said that if someone has difficulty picturing themselves in an airplane (or any other situation) without alcohol, regardless of time passed, then they're probably far closer to my condition than they're comfortable admitting. Make whatever excuses to the contrary that you choose, I'll have heard them all.

    11. digital_notmad Diamond

      Another thing the whiny teetotalers miss is that one reason most travelers don't choose an airline based on onboard service offerings is that most travelers aren't the high-value pax that account for large proportions of airline profitability. As it turns out, those customers paying for a high-end experience often expect to receive a high-end experience.

    12. ConcordeBoy Diamond

      But what you (clearly) miss, is that the majority of HVFs are on corporate expense accounts, and not the mythical playboy that spends 5-figures on non-private commercial airlines with any recurrence, anymore.

      And no, the former does not generally choose airlines based on liquor either.

    13. digital_notmad Diamond

      lol sure, the dry airlines are virtually synonymous with corporate expense accounts. Compelling stuff.

    14. ConcordeBoy Diamond

      Here ya go, this'll help you moving forward:
      https://www.dictionary.com/browse/non-sequitur

  11. dn10 Guest

    Wonder if they'll join a global alliance. OneWorld is out given Qatar most likely. Maybe SkyTeam or Star Alliance?

    1. ConcordeBoy Diamond

      SkyTeam already has Saudia.

  12. T- Guest

    Of course Airbus
    will receive a large(r) order from Riyadh Air. They are giving Boeing its moment in the media before announcing said order. Or they haven’t finished negotiations yet. Either way my thought on this is that Airbus/Riyadh Air will likely announce a very competitive or larger order soon.

  13. Roberto Guest

    Leave it to Tim Dunn for bringing up Delta somehow… JFC. Nobody cares.

    1. Tim Dunn Diamond

      it is one of several major orders.
      You clearly missed or chose to ignore so you could rant that United and Air India were also mentioned.

  14. Tim Dunn Diamond

    RIA gets just half of the order; Saudia gets another 39, some of which are options.
    As Ben notes, this is what was expected to be an A350 order so there is still the possibility that Airbus could get a chunk.
    This is one of several large orders including for widebodies - from United, Air India, and now Saudia Arabia.
    Sources say that Delta is still working on an RFP for a...

    RIA gets just half of the order; Saudia gets another 39, some of which are options.
    As Ben notes, this is what was expected to be an A350 order so there is still the possibility that Airbus could get a chunk.
    This is one of several large orders including for widebodies - from United, Air India, and now Saudia Arabia.
    Sources say that Delta is still working on an RFP for a widebody order that was originally believed to give Airbus the favor for the A350-1000 but now Boeing could have a stronger chance - either for the B787 or 777X.
    The stronger return of air travel demand and backlogs by Airbus and Boeing mean airlines are placing big orders now that will likely take many of them through the end of the decade.

  15. Luke Guest

    I actually liked the name "RIA" better, the current name just screams out "authoritarian regime" to me

    1. ConcordeBoy Diamond

      Figured for sure we'd end up with something like "Riyadh International Airlines" as a result... but guess not.

      Also sorta surprised that "Royal" didn't find its way into the name/marketing.

    2. DCAWABN Guest

      Or something along the lines of Allahu AkbAir, God is Great Airlines.

  16. Woodrow Gold

    Will it be a "dry" airline?

Featured Comments Most helpful comments ( as chosen by the OMAAT community ).

The comments on this page have not been provided, reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any advertiser, and it is not an advertiser's responsibility to ensure posts and/or questions are answered.

Jo Momma Guest

How can they become a major player if they are going to be (assuming) a "dry" airline? I certainly don't want to be stuck on an airplane for 12 hours without a cocktail. Just sayin'

3
Heathrow_LHR Guest

@Azamaraal Then you should pay better attention, because that's not what was said. The first part is a simple fact, people choose carriers primarily for price and or schedule. Brand, seats, comfort, miles, elite status, lounge access, and all that other shit that we obsess over here, are merely an afterthought for the flying majority. This includes alcohol. The second part was in fairness a generalization, but one I know to be true for a simple reason. I was an alcoholic, thus I know how we act. So yes, we would be stunned at the idea that there are people who couldn't care less whether an airline serves alcohol or not and what kind. And I agree 100% with the poster who said that if someone has difficulty picturing themselves in an airplane (or any other situation) without alcohol, regardless of time passed, then they're probably far closer to my condition than they're comfortable admitting. Make whatever excuses to the contrary that you choose, I'll have heard them all.

2
Azamaraal Diamond

It is an interesting comment that if alcohol is a basis for choosing an airline the pax must be an alcoholic. I think that says a great deal more about the person making the comment than about me. I travel for a holiday and experience. But the holiday begins with the flight. It is so wonderful to get on a plane to anywhere and sit back with a welcome glass of Krug (or Salmon or whatever) and enjoy the ride. My meals are always paired with an appropriate wine (which unfortunately is sometimes hare to do while airborne). So I will not be flying this particular airline unless the class of service is equivalent to Qatar, Etihad or Emirates (all three which are Muslim countries). If the passengers are the same as those flying from Bahrain to Dammam it would be hypocritical to make it a "dry" airline.

2
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