Riyadh Air has opened public ticket sales for flights aboard its new Boeing 787-9 Dreamliners, with the aircraft set to enter service on the carrier’s Riyadh–London Heathrow route from 1 July 2026, marking another step in the airline’s broader ambition to position Saudi Arabia as a global aviation hub.
The London route carries strategic importance beyond the introduction of a new aircraft type. Linking two G20 capitals, it represents a key business and tourism corridor and forms part of Riyadh Air’s efforts to strengthen Saudi Arabia’s international connectivity under Vision 2030.
The route also provides an early indication of how Riyadh Air intends to position itself within the increasingly competitive premium long-haul market.
Tony Douglas, CEO of Riyadh Air, described the launch as a major milestone for the airline. “Today marks a truly exciting milestone for Riyadh Air as we introduce our new aircraft and signature premium experience on our established London route.”
The airline has already been operating daily services to London since late October 2025 using its technical spare aircraft, Jamila, as part of its operational readiness programme. From July, services will transition fully to the new Dreamliners.
The aircraft itself signals Riyadh Air’s intention to compete aggressively in the premium travel segment. The Boeing 787-9 cabins will feature four classes — Business Elite, Business, Premium Economy and Economy — with an emphasis on technology and personalised passenger experience.
Among the features highlighted by the airline are Bluetooth audio connectivity throughout the aircraft, fully flat-bed seating in premium cabins and a new generation inflight entertainment system developed with Panasonic Avionics. Passengers will have access to more than 500 films, 600 television series and over 1,000 audio titles, with content partners including Shahid, Disney+, HBO Max and Warner Bros.
The onboard proposition also includes a strong Saudi identity, reflecting a wider trend among Gulf carriers increasingly using hospitality and local cultural elements as differentiators. Riyadh Air said passengers will experience Saudi-inspired service concepts and products, including wellness-focused amenities and locally developed hospitality items.
For luxury advisors, the launch is also notable for what it suggests about future network development.
Riyadh Air says London passengers will be able to connect onwards through Riyadh to destinations including Jeddah, Cairo and Dubai, with additional routes expected to be announced in the coming months.
The carrier is also using the launch to expand its loyalty ecosystem. Members of the airline’s Sfeer programme — introduced as a broader digital lifestyle platform rather than a traditional frequent flyer scheme — are being offered incentives including complimentary onboard Wi-Fi, reward benefits and early access to future route launches.
As Saudi Arabia continues to invest heavily in tourism and aviation infrastructure, the introduction of Riyadh Air’s long-haul fleet represents another visible piece of a wider strategy designed to reshape travel flows into and through the Kingdom.
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