Delta will begin flying to Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, next October.
Atlanta-Riyadh flights will operate three-times weekly. Delta has not yet announced a specific launch date, and the flight is not yet on sale
The announcement makes Delta the first U.S. carrier to confirm plans to fly to Saudia Arabia. Currently, Saudia is the only airline that connects the Middle Eastern kingdom nonstop to the U.S, offering three routes from Jeddah and service from Riyadh to Washington Dulles and New York JFK.
Delta's move is in keeping with its plan to partner with Riyadh Air, a state-owned carrier with big ambitions that began operations on Sunday with flights between Riyadh and London Heathrow. Riyadh Air has a firm order book of 124 planes, including 64 widebodies.
Delta entered into a memorandum of understanding in 2024 to become the exclusive North American partner of Riyadh Air. The agreement envisions an interline, codeshare and loyalty program partnership as well as cooperation on broader aviation services, such as maintenance and repair.
Delta plans to fly Atlanta-Riyadh with an Airbus A350-900 aircraft equipped with business, premium economy and economy cabins.