On the delivery flight to Saudi Arabia, HZ-RXAA and HZ-RXAB were escorted by Saudi Hawks. Beginning July 1st, Riyadh Air will operate flights to London Heathrow with the new 787-9s.
Follow Aeronews on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn and TikTok
Riyadh Air has operated daily flights to London Terminal 4 since 26 October 2025, utilizing the airline’s technical spare “Jamila” as part of its Pathway to Perfect operational readiness program, during which tickets have been available for booking. Jamila flights will continue to be available for booking through Riyadh Air’s approved travel partners until 30 June 2026.
Riyadh Air’s new 787-9 Dreamliners offer a 4-class configuration – Business Elite, Business, Premium Economy and Economy. Passengers enjoy Bluetooth audio connectivity and traditional physical audio jacks available at every seat, across all classes. Business Elite and Business share a fully flat-bed 1-2-1 layout, with AC Power USB-C and USB-A charging and immersive high-fidelity sound delivered directly into the headrests.
Premium Economy’s 2-3-2 layout features privacy headrest wings, additional storage, expandable surfaces, four USB-C charging points, while Economy offers 6-way adjustable headrests and two USB-C charging points in a 3-3-3 configuration.
Guests on Riyadh Air’s Dreamliners will experience one of the world’s most modern in-flight entertainment (IFE) systems, offering a rich selection of over 500 movies and 600 TV series from partners like Shahid, Disney+, HBO Max, and Warner Bros., complemented by 1,000 audio albums and playlists, via Panasonic Avionics’ innovative Astrova IFE system, which delivers pioneering technology including ‘mobile-first’ connectivity, cinema-quality visuals, wireless listening via Bluetooth and USB-C charging.
The new 787-9s deliveries are a step forward for the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia’s aviation strategy, which aims to attract 150 million visitors and serve 330 million passengers annually by 2030. Riyadh Air’s fleet plan includes up to 72 Dreamliners that will play a central role in connecting the Kingdom to regional and long-haul markets, including Europe, Asia, Africa and North America.
“Riyadh Air is bringing to life a vision of modern world-class travel, and we are delighted to support them as they open new possibilities for the Kingdom and the world,” said Stephanie Pope, president and CEO of Boeing Commercial Airplanes. “The 787 Dreamliner gives Riyadh Air unmatched efficiency, flexibility across routes and a beautiful interior that will deliver a phenomenal travel experience.”
Riyadh Air plans to serve more than 100 destinations by 2030, deploying early 787 flights to cities including London, Cairo and Jeddah.