Saudi Arabia’s Riyadh Air has flown its first commercial flight, from Riyadh to London, three weeks ahead of schedule.
Saudi Arabia’s new national airline has taken to the skies. Riyadh Air operated its first commercial flight on June 10, 2026, flying from Riyadh to London Heathrow and marking the Kingdom’s entry into global aviation.
Flight RX401 departed Riyadh at 2:35am local time and landed at Heathrow about six and a half hours later. The service runs on the Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner, the first time the airline has flown passengers using its own aircraft rather than leased planes from its earlier readiness program.
The carrier was founded by Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund and is led by CEO Tony Douglas. It is built to support the Kingdom’s Vision 2030 plan, which aims to turn Riyadh into a major global aviation hub.
Riyadh Air originally planned to begin flights on July 1, 2026. The airline moved the date forward three weeks after Boeing delivered its first Dreamliners early.
According to AeroTime, the third aircraft arrived in Jeddah on June 6, days after the first two reached Riyadh on June 5. With deliveries speeding up, the airline confirmed the inaugural London service would start on June 10 instead.
Douglas described the launch as a major step in connecting Riyadh to the world and said it marked the start of a rapid expansion. He said the first destinations were chosen to serve key markets for business, tourism, and trade.
Riyadh Air Routes and Dubai Flights
Riyadh Air opened its first six routes for booking, all flown on the Boeing 787-9. London leads on June 10, followed by Jeddah on June 14, Dubai on June 18, Cairo on June 25, Madrid on July 17, and Manchester on July 23.
For Gulf travelers, the Dubai route is the one to watch. Daily flights between Riyadh and Dubai begin on June 18, adding direct capacity between the two cities within days of the airline’s debut. The domestic Jeddah service starts even sooner, on June 14, with twice-daily flights.
London flights run daily, while Manchester services, starting July 23, will operate three times a week. Tickets for all six routes are on sale now through the Riyadh Air website, its mobile app, and approved travel agents and booking platforms.
The airline has signaled this is only the beginning. Reports indicate Riyadh Air plans to add 22 more routes within nine months, with several Indian cities, including Delhi and Mumbai, named as planned launch destinations that are not yet on sale.
Riyadh Air Fleet and Expansion
The launch fleet is built around the Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner, valued for long-haul efficiency, quieter cabins, and the range to fly farther non-stop. The aircraft is the first of an eventual order for 72 Dreamliners.
According to AGBI, Riyadh Air has three aircraft in hand and expects to have 10 by the end of the year, with more arriving in the coming months. That pace is meant to support the airline’s plan to scale its network quickly across the Middle East, Europe, and beyond.
The wider aviation backdrop is challenging. The Middle East is expected to post a net loss in 2026, tied to capacity cuts, cancellations, operational disruptions, and higher fuel costs. Even so, Riyadh Air’s early start gives Saudi Arabia a fresh entrant aimed squarely at the premium long-haul market, with Riyadh positioned as its central hub.
