That wait is over. Riyadh Air tickets are officially available to book online. Right now.
As of today, 19 May 2026, public ticket sales are officially open for Riyadh Air's flagship Riyadh–London Heathrow route — and from Wednesday July 1, 2026, the airline's new Boeing 787-9 Dreamliners will operate the route exclusively, bringing a premium four-class experience to one of the world's most important aviation corridors. Originally slated to launch to the public in Q1, the launch has experienced delays due to late delivery of aircraft from Boeing and the recent regional tensions.
The new national carrier has been crafted, curated and designed not merely to move passengers from one city to another, but to redefine what flying to and from Saudi Arabia should feel like. The airline's signature royal purple livery became instantly recognisable. It's ambitions, impossible to ignore. And the wait, for those of us who have been watching closely, has felt considerable.
The Route
Riyadh Air has been operating daily flights to London Heathrow Terminal 4 since October 26, 2025, using its technical spare aircraft "Jamila" as part of the airline's Pathway to Perfect operational readiness programme. Although regular, these flights were only available to internal Riyadh Air staff and quality controllers, and have been the quiet prelude to what launches today.
From 1 July, the full public sale begins and the new Dreamliners take over entirely. The route between Riyadh and London is a direct, daily service with a flight time of 6 hours and 55 minutes outbound.
- Daily flights to London Heathrow (LHR) on RX401 — Depart RUH 02:35 · Arrive LHR 07:30
- Daily flights to Riyadh (RUH) on RX402 — Depart LHR 09:35 · Arrive RUH 18:05
Ticket Prices & Packages
Fares open at the following prices, though as with all airlines, prices are subject to change based on availability and booking window. Economy from SAR 1,271. Premium Economy from SAR 2,730. Business from SAR 12,080.
Tickets are structured across a tiered package system; Economy and Premium Economy passengers choose from Lite, Smart, and Flex. Whilst Business class passengers select from Smart, Flex, and Elite. Each offering slightly different perks such as baggage allowance, cancellation flexibility and points.
What Can Passengers Expect Onboard?
Tony Douglas, CEO of Riyadh Air said of the ticket release: "Today marks a truly exciting milestone for Riyadh Air as we introduce our new aircraft and signature premium experience on our established London route. It demonstrates our deep commitment to delivering a truly world-class journey for our guests, one that blends exceptional comfort, cutting-edge technology and our distinctive Saudi 'Hafawa' hospitality from the moment they step on board." — Tony Douglas, CEO, Riyadh Air
The Warm Saudi Welcome
Ditching the predictable pre-flight pretzels and average beverage selection; Riyadh Air is redefining the inflight welcome by immersing passengers in authentic local culture right from the moment they step on board. Every journey will kick off with a distinct celebration of national pride, greeting travellers with the rich flavour of locally sourced dates, the comforting aroma of traditional Saudi coffee, and the refreshing fizz of Saudi Arabia's homegrown Milaf Cola, made using dates. This thoughtfully curated welcome ritual underscores the airline's commitment to showcasing modern Saudi hospitality and heritage to a global audience.
A Premium Configuration
When it comes to travel classes, Riyadh Air's 787-9 Dreamliners offer a four-class configuration — Business Elite, Business, Premium Economy, and Economy — each engineered for long-haul comfort with a distinctly Saudi sensibility. 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, and four USB-C charging points. Economy is configured in a 3-3-3 layout with six-way adjustable headrests and two USB-C charging points per seat. Throughout every cabin, seats are crafted with plush foam and premium fabrics, and Bluetooth audio connectivity, in addition to the traditional audio jacks, is available at every seat across all classes.
The Onboard Hospitality & Amenities
The premium onboard hospitality features a fully elevated in-flight dining menu and bespoke details tailored to every passenger, from luxury bedding by John Horsfall to custom Disney amenity kits for children. Grounding the experience in local wellness, the airline introduces Saudi-made Kayanee amenity kits and products throughout the cabin. To ensure travellers step off the aircraft feeling entirely refreshed, Business Elite and Business guests will receive exclusive Kayanee amenity and loungewear sets, while Premium Economy passengers enjoy a signature loungewear top.
Inflight Entertainment
The in-flight entertainment system, delivered via Panasonic Avionics' Astrova IFE platform, offers over 500 movies and 600 TV series from partners including Shahid, Disney+, HBO Max, and Warner Bros., alongside 1,000 audio albums and playlists, all on cinema-quality screens with wireless Bluetooth listening and USB-C charging.
High-End Digital First Elements
While those who like to track their location as they fly, Riyadh Air prides itself as a digital-first airline and has partnered with FlightPath3D. Marking a bold step forward in inflight tech, debuting a 3D map platform that’s more interactive travel companion than passive display. Riyadh Air is elevating the traditional moving map into a next-generation interactive travel guide by seamlessly blending real-time flight telemetry — like speed, altitude, and flight progress — with a visually stunning digital interface. More than just a flight tracker, this dynamic platform acts as a curated preview of the destination ahead, layering the route with local highlights, cultural insights, and network-wide connectivity. Whether passengers are heading to London or arriving in Riyadh for the first time, the map intelligently adapts to their specific journey, delivering a highly personalised experience that embodies the airline's guest-first philosophy.
What Can Passengers Expect on the Ground?
On the ground, premium-tiered Riyadh Air passengers can expect a tech-forward, ultra-luxury pre-flight experience at the airline's new 2,000-square-metre Hafawa Lounge, located between Terminals 1 and 2 at King Khalid International Airport.
Exclusively available to Business Class and Business Elite travellers to enjoy, the desert-inspired, curated sanctuary accommodates up to 370 guests and features thoughtful zoning that includes private family rooms, quiet areas, and an interactive "Immersive Room" driven by intuitive digital design. Guests will experience authentic Saudi hospitality with a traditional welcome of local dates and Saudi coffee, alongside high-end culinary offerings at The Café, a social buffet dining space, and a curated non-alcoholic mocktail bar, all complemented by premium wellness touches developed in partnership with local brand Kayanee.
Learn more about the Hafawa Lounge here
Hafawa Lounge, Opening Soon
Between Terminal 1 & 2, King Khalid International Airport, Riyadh
Sfeer: The Loyalty Programme
Travellers booking on the London route are encouraged to join Sfeer — Riyadh Air's loyalty programme. The programme offers a Best Offer Guarantee, complimentary onboard Wi-Fi, a no-points-expiry policy, and the ability for members to share level points with friends and family. Early joiners become part of "The Founders", an elite tier with priority access to bookings on new routes as the network expands. The programme also features gamified experiences including challenges and leaderboards, positioning it as a digital lifestyle ecosystem rather than a conventional points scheme.
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Riyadh Air's Confirmed Destinations
Riyadh Air’s planned network is expected to span four continents, targeting major financial centres, popular leisure destinations, and high-volume regional corridors. Alongside confirmed regional routes to Jeddah, Cairo, and Dubai, the carrier’s initial international expansion will bridge the Kingdom with major global hubs. "Connecting Saudi Arabia with the UK directly and beyond through our growing network of global destinations including Jeddah, Cairo and Dubai, sits at the very heart of what we are building at Riyadh Air and the Kingdom's ambitions under Vision 2030." says Tony Douglas, CEO of Riyadh Air.
Following a report by the world’s premier airport slot coordinator, Airport Coordination Limited (ACL), fifteen initial flight routes have been confirmed for Riyadh Air. Passengers can look forward to key European and Asian connections, with locations such as Paris, Madrid, Manchester, Bangkok, and Kuala Lumpur anchoring the airline's early footprint.
Discover all of Riyadh Air's confirmed destinations right here
- Amman
- Bangkok
- Cairo - Announced in Feb 2026
- Dubai - Announced in Oct 2025
- Islamabad
- Jakarta
- Jeddah
- Kuala Lumpur
- Lahore
- London (Heathrow) - Announced in October 2025, Flights released May 2026
- Madrid
- Manchester
- Manila
- Mumbai
- Paris
