Riyadh Air completes first commercial flight with brand new Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner to Heathrow | News
Riyadh Air, the Kingdom’s new national airline, celebrated its first commercial (maiden) flight with its brand new Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner, which arrived in Riyadh from Boeing just five days earlier, on June 5.
The daily service, flight RX401, departed from Riyadh’s King Khalid International Airport (RUH) to London Heathrow (LHR), marking a major milestone in the airline’s evolution and ushering in a new era of travel and connectivity for the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
Tony Douglas, CEO of Riyadh Air, said: “This is the birth of the world’s newest airline and the celebration of another major milestone in Riyadh Air’s evolution into a world-class global airline. The departure of our first commercial flight on our brand new Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner – just five days after arriving in Riyadh – is the culmination of the tremendous dedication of our team and our partners. This daily service not only delivers a new standard of luxury and guest comfort, but also brings essential new connectivity for passengers traveling from Great Britain to major destinations around the world.”
Riyadh Air has been operating daily flights between Riyadh and London Heathrow since October 2025 under its ‘Pathway to Perfect’ operational readiness programme. This extensive phase ensured that all systems were fully optimized ahead of today’s first commercial flight on the newly delivered Dreamliner, which offers the complete Riyadh Air signature guest experience.
Riyadh Air’s first two 787 Dreamliners arrived in Riyadh on June 5, followed by a third on June 7 – with the delivery schedule of more aircraft continuing to help the airline achieve its goal of connecting the Kingdom to 100 destinations by 2030.
Douglas added: “With our aircraft deliveries progressing at such an accelerated pace, we are thrilled to have been able to bring forward this first London flight on the new aircraft from the original schedule of July 1. We are proud to deliver a new standard of excellence, welcoming guests to experience our signature Saudi hospitality and pioneering digital-first experience, as we remain firmly on track to connect Riyadh to more than 100 global destinations by 2030.”
Commenting on the occasion, Heathrow Chief Customer Officer Ross Baker said: “As the world’s most connected airport, increasing passenger choice and strengthening our global reach is at the heart of what we do at Heathrow. Welcoming Riyadh Air’s first commercial flight is a milestone for us and we are pleased that they have chosen the UK hub, with our aligned vision of delivering world-class service, as the place to launch this route. Our partnership together will enable greater access not only to Middle East, but also to destinations throughout the world, Asia and beyond.”
The Riyadh-London route is operated daily according to the following schedule:
Daily flights from London Heathrow (LHR) to Riyadh with RX402: (all times local)
• Departure LHR at 09:35
• Arrival RUH at 6:05 PM
Daily flights from Riyadh (RUH) to London Heathrow (LHR) with RX401: (all times local)
• Departure RUH at 02:35
• Arrival LHR at 07:30
Ticket purchases for the daily route to London can be made via the Riyadh Air app, the Riyadh Air website at riyadhair.com, or via preferred travel providers and platforms. Guests are also invited to become ‘Founding Members’ of the airline’s loyalty programme, Atmosphere, guaranteeing them a Best Offer Guarantee and free Wi-Fi, while earning rewards from their very first flight.
Premium comfort and style
Riyadh Air’s new 787-9 Dreamliners offer a four-class configuration – Business Elite, Business, Premium Economy and Economy – each designed to provide exceptional comfort and advanced technology. For a truly personalized audio experience, this includes Bluetooth audio connectivity and traditional physical audio jacks available at every seat, in 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 Hi-Fi sound directly into the headrests. Premium Economy’s 2-3-2 layout features privacy headrest wings, extra 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. In all classes, seats are ergonomically crafted with soft foam and high-quality fabrics for deep, restorative comfort.
The world’s most modern in-flight entertainment experience
Guests on board Riyadh Air’s Dreamliners will experience one of the world’s most modern in-flight entertainment (IFE) systems, with a rich selection of more than 500 films and 600 TV series from partners including Shahid, Disney+, HBO Max and Warner Bros., complemented by 1,000 audio albums and playlists, through Panasonic Avionics’ innovative Astrova IFE system, which delivers groundbreaking technology including Mobile-first connectivity and cinema-quality visuals, wireless Bluetooth® listening and USB-C charging.
Typical hospitality on board
Riyadh Air guests will also enjoy restorative Saudi-made Kayanee products, with tailor-made Disney amenity sets for younger travelers, the best in-flight dining experience, luxurious John Horsfall bedding and a tailor-made wellness journey that touches all five senses to ensure a peaceful flight. Guests traveling in Business Elite and Business receive exclusive Kayanee loungewear, while Premium Economy guests are treated to a Kayanee loungewear top, ensuring every guest feels refreshed and comfortable.
Atmosphere: for a generation on the move
Guests can unlock exclusive benefits by joining Riyadh Air’s loyalty program, Atmosphere. The name Atmosphere is derived from the Arabic word for ‘Ambassador’ and the English word ‘atmosphere’, which embodies the generous spirit of Saudi Arabia while fostering a global community. It offers a Best Offer Guarantee, including a range of unique benefits such as a ‘no points expiration policy’, the ability for members to share tier points with friends and family, and free onboard Wi-Fi for seamless connectivity.
The program stands out for its blend of community engagement with gamified experiences, with challenges and leaderboards, and is designed as a comprehensive digital lifestyle ecosystem that delivers value to a new generation of travelers, both in the air and on the ground, through exclusive partnerships and events. Early Atmosphere members join an elite club of ‘The Founders’, who will receive priority bookings on new routes, among other benefits.
