Slated to become the new national carrier of Saudi Arabia, Riyadh Air was officially unveiled and established in March 2023.
Poised to become the Kingdom's second flag carrier, after the well-established Saudia, the new airline will make its main hub King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh. Scheduled to commence its first commercial flights in Q3 of 2025, the airline has ambitious plans to connect the Kingdom's capital city to over 100 destinations across the Middle East and six continents by 2030, supporting Saudi Arabia's Vision 2030 goals for tourism and economic diversification.
Riyadh Air also aims to offer travellers a premium, digitally-led travel experience. Strategically positioning itself to revolutionise air travel both within the region, and internationally, offering users a luxurious and innovative experience through seamless payment and booking processes, and AI-enhanced servicing.
Led by former Etihad and Irishman CEO Tony Douglas, the airline has already established partnerships with several international carriers and is expected to play a crucial role in transforming Riyadh into a global aviation hub, as the brand aims to connect Saudi Arabia with vital global hubs and stimulate economic expansion.
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Cabin Crew Requirements for Riyadh Air
Riyadh Air (RX) is seeking applications from exceptional individuals, with a passion for aviation and a dedication to providing world-class service, to join its Cabin Crew team. As the face of Riyadh Air, successful candidates will be responsible for ensuring a safe passage and a memorable journey for passengers, making them feel valued and cared for. Of course, comprehensive training will be provided, emphasising safety and the expectant level of customer care.
Driven by a passion for service excellence and safety, cabin crew members will play a significant role in curating the passenger experience, assisting with needs and service, and ensuring smooth, secure travel for all. This role offers cain crew members with daily adventures, whilst also representing internationally. This first wave of successful cabin crew applicants will also have the opportunity to wear its stylish, chic uniform in the brand's signature, rich and deep royal purple shade.
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The airline is looking for natural communicators with a passion for top-tier service and passenger safety, individuals ready to embody "Hafawa" hospitality while ensuring a secure environment. Ideal candidates are adventurous team players excited to be the face of Riyadh Air, embrace new experiences, and prioritise passenger well-being from takeoff to landing.
Must Have Attributes and Skills
✔ Fluent in English: Any other languages are a plus!
✔ Education: A minimum of a high school completion certificate is required.
✔ Age Requirement: Applicants must be at least 21 years old.
✔ Visa & Relocation: Riyadh will be the home base for all cabin crew members, and applicants must meet additional Saudi employment visa requirements.
✔ Height & Reach: Candidates must be at least 160cm tall with an arm reach of 212cm, so as to be able to safely reach overhead bins and quickly access emergency equipment if needed.
✔ Swimming Skills: Candidates must be confident in the water, and have the ability to swim with the aid of a floatation device in case of emergency.
✔ Professional Appearance: Any piercings (beyond two lobe piercings) should not be visible in uniform, in addition to this, candidates should have no visible tattoos.
✔ Customer Service Experience: Applicants must have at least one year experience in hospitality or a customer-facing role.
Using the online Riyadh Air careers portal, the airline is inviting applicants from the following locations. It is expected that in-person recruitment days will take place in each destination listed, and successful applicants for interview will be invited to attend.
- Abu Dhabi, UAE
- Bangkok, Thailand
- Belgrade, Serbia
- Bucharest, Romania
- Delhi, India
- Dubai, UAE
- Jeddah, Saudi Arabia
- Kraków, Poland
- Manila, Philippines
- Nairobi, Kenya
- Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
- Tunis, Tunisia
Interested in becoming cabin crew for Riyadh Air? Apply right here.
Riyadh Air Expected to Launch in Q3
It was announced in January 2025 that Riyadh Air's launch would be delayed until the second half of 2025, and more specifically, the third quarter of the year.
While it was initially anticipated that Riyadh Air would launch for the first half of 2025, unprecedented delays (experienced internationally) in the delivery of the airline's first Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner, a critical component of its operational setup, impacted the launch date. It is expected that once operational, the national carrier will have a significant fleet including 60 Airbus A321-neos and 39 Boeing 787-9 Dreamliners (with options for 33 more).
Undeterred by this unexpected delay, Riyadh Air remains focused on its ambition to become a leading global airline, linking Saudi Arabia with the world and contributing to the Kingdom's ambitious tourism and economic expansion. This brief postponement in launch will likely allow for an even more robust and successful entry into the global aviation arena for the new national carrier.
