The ambitious new national carrier, Riyadh Air is poised to take flight later in 2025, aiming to offer travellers a premium travel experience. And now, with newly released videos and imagery, we're being given a tantalising glimpse into the well appointed cabin classes: from Economy, Premium Economy, Business and Business Elite.
The new airline has already been hailed as the world's first digital-native airline, and just this week has unveiled its Economy, Premium Economy and exclusive Business Elite cabins, promising a revolutionary blend of luxurious comfort, cutting-edge technology, and design cues inspired by Saudi heritage. As the airline gears up for its launch later this year, anticipation is building for a taste of this innovative approach to air travel.
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Tony Douglas, Riyadh Air CEO, expressed his excitement about the unveiling: "Riyadh Air has always promised to deliver a world-class experience for our guests and the unveiling of our cabin interiors make this ambition a reality. The design, layout, and features of our new cabins are carefully crafted to ensure flights are as comfortable and enjoyable as possible. From the ergonomic and luxurious fabrics in the seats to the high-end technology used in the entertainment systems, every facet of the cabins has been chosen to deliver relaxing luxury."
Forget cramped quarters and outdated amenities, Riyadh Air is setting a new standard with its Business Class offerings aboard its state-of-the-art Boeing 787-9 fleet. The airline's commitment to a consistent, high-quality product across its wide-body aircraft ensures that every Business Class passenger will enjoy the same elevated journey.
Stepping into Sanctuary: Business Elite and Business Cabins
Riyadh Air's Business Class and Business Elite cabins are setting a high bar for premium air travel. The airline aims to focus on providing travellers with spacious layouts, cutting-edge technology, luxurious comfort, and thoughtful design inspired by Saudi heritage. Flying with Riyadh Air promises to be more than just a journey – it will be an experience in elevated elegance.
Privacy is paramount in these premium cabins: each seat boasts impressive 52-inch-high walls and convenient sliding privacy doors, reminiscent of a cocoon. For those travelling together, adjustable privacy dividers between the centre seats offer flexibility.
For those seeking the ultimate in privacy and space, Riyadh Air's Business Elite cabin, featuring just four exclusive seats in the first row, and the broader Business cabin with 24 seats, both adopt a spacious 1-2-1 fully flat-bed layout. Utilising the bespoke Safran Unity seat, passengers can stretch out in a generous 78-inch-long and 22.5-inch-wide bed.
Immersive Entertainment and Uninterrupted Connectivity
Riyadh Air is placing a strong emphasis on the passenger experience, evident in the integration of the latest technology. Business Class travellers will be captivated by expansive 4K OLED entertainment screens, measuring a remarkable 32 inches in Business Elite – touted as the world's largest Business Class touch enabled screen – and a still impressive 22 inches in Business Class.
Beyond visuals, the airline is investing in industry-leading lighting and audio. Integrated suite lighting creates a soothing ambiance, while embedded headrest speakers, a result of a groundbreaking collaboration with French audio innovators Devialet, deliver immersive, high-fidelity sound without the need for headphones. Ensuring productivity and entertainment remain uninterrupted during your travels, every seat in both Business Elite and Business is equipped with A/C power, one USB-A port, and two USB-C charging points.
Staying connected is also a priority. As a digitally native airline, Riyadh Air will offer free high-speed Wi-Fi to all loyalty program members, ensuring seamless streaming, social scrolling, web browsing, and even live TV (via Viasat's network) on the seat back screens from gate to gate where permitted.
Thoughtful Design and Uncompromising Comfort
The design philosophy behind Riyadh Air's Business Class cabins centres on intelligent design, ergonomic comfort, and thoughtful details. High-quality finishes and a cohesive colour palette create an inviting and luxurious atmosphere.
Refined details tell a story of subtle elegance. Rich Mocha Gold metallic elements add class and sophistication to the premium cabins, contrasting beautifully with rich purple textures. The carefully curated palette, incorporating dark indigo, mocha, iridescent tones, skyline blue, sunset peach, and lavender, subtly weaves in the identity of the city of Riyadh into a modern expression of luxury.
Each seat is ergonomically crafted with plush foam and premium, home-inspired fabrics featuring tufted stitching, promising deep, restorative comfort whether passengers are sitting upright or enjoying the fully flat bed.
Take a more detailed look at what to expect below:
Everything You Can Expect From Riyadh Air's Various Cabin Classes
Business Elite
- 4 seats available in this class, in Row 1
- Free high-speed Wi-Fi for all cabins (available when signed up to Riyadh Air’s loyalty program)
- 1-2-1 layout: fully flat-bed layout, with a length of 78 inches and width of 22.5 inches
- Seat model: Safran Unity Elite
- 52-inch-high walls and convenient sliding privacy doors
- A 32 inch 4K OLED touch-enabled monitor
- Integrated lighting and embedded headrest speakers
- Curated dining options
- Charging access: A/C Power and 1x USB-A, 2x USB-C
Business Class
- 24 seats available in this class, in six rows
- Free high-speed Wi-Fi for all cabins (available when signed up to Riyadh Air’s loyalty program)
- 1-2-1 layout: fully flat-bed layout, with a length of 78 inches and width of 22.5 inches
- Seat model: Safran Unity
- 52-inch-high walls
- A 22 inch 4K OLED touch-enabled monitor
- Integrated lighting and embedded headrest speakers
- Charging access: A/C Power and 1x USB-A, 2x USB-C
Premium Economy
- 39 seats available in this class, in 6 rows
- Free high-speed Wi-Fi for all cabins (available when signed up to Riyadh Air’s loyalty program)
- 2-3-2 layout: 38-inch seat pitch and width of 19.2 inches
- Seat model: Recaro PL3530
- A 15.6-inch 4K OLED monitor
- Charging access: 4x USB-C
Economy
- 223 seats available in this class, in 25 rows
- Free high-speed Wi-Fi for all cabins (available when signed up to Riyadh Air’s loyalty program)
- 3-3-3 layout: 31-inch seat pitch and width of 17.2 inches
- Seat model: Recaro R3
- A 13.4-inch 4K OLED monitor
- Charging access: 2x USB-C
