Riyadh Air, the nascent state-owned Saudi airline with grand global ambitions, will begin limited commercial operations on Oct. 26.
The carrier's first flight will connect Riyadh daily with London Heathrow. It is initially on sale only to airline employees and what the carrier described as "select groups."
The launch will enable Riyadh Air to meet utilization requirements for the one daily arrival and landing slot it has secured at capacity-limited Heathrow while it awaits its first deliveries of new Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner planes.
In the meantime, the airline will utilize the leased Dreamliner plane that since January it has operated for certification proving runs and for pilot and crew training. The leased plane has the Riyadh Air livery, but it does not have the interiors that will be on new deliveries. The airline nevertheless describes the onboard design as, "a high-specification interior to meet the expectations of guests flying with a world-class, modern airline."
Riyadh Air is part of Saudi Arabia's ongoing $800 billion initiative to jump-start its tourism economy. The carrier has a firm order book of 124 planes, including 39 787-9s, 25 Airbus A350-1000s and 60 Airbus A321neo narrowbodies. It aspires to be a global East-West connector, competing against the likes of Turkish Airlines, Qatar Airways and Emirates.
Riyadh Air will especially cater to premium flyers, offering four-cabin interiors on the A350s and promising luxurious lounges. The airline has also said it will equip its planes with industry leading digital features and connectivity, including the largest business-class in-flight entertainment screens in the sky.
Riyadh Air said Wednesday that its second route will connect its home city with Dubai and will commence operation soon after the London launch.
"Further exciting new routes are set to be announced in the coming weeks for winter 2025 and summer 2026," the airline said.