Riyadh Air will begin daily flights between Riyadh and Dubai on June 18, the airline announced, as it moves quickly to build out its network following its inaugural service to London Heathrow earlier this week.
The route, flight RX243, departs King Khalid International Airport at 2.05pm local time and lands at Dubai International at 5pm after a journey of one hour and 55 minutes. The aircraft is a Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner. Economy return tickets start at SAR1,108 ($295), with Business Elite, Business and Premium Economy cabins also available.
Dubai is one of five destinations now on sale. Jeddah flights began on June 14, Cairo follows on June 25, with Madrid and Manchester joining the network on July 17 and 23 respectively. The airline expects to reach 22 destinations by March next year and has set a target of more than 100 routes worldwide by 2030.
Speaking to Reuters after the London launch, chief executive Tony Douglas said early ticket sales had been encouraging, though he declined to give booking numbers.
He also suggested the airline could benefit from travellers seeking alternative entry points into the region amid ongoing conflict-related disruption across the Middle East. “Perhaps to the point where some people have taken the view that it’s a safe entry-exit point,” he said, referring to Riyadh’s position as a regional hub.
Launched in 2023 and owned by Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund, Riyadh Air is the kingdom’s second national carrier after Saudia. Douglas has described it as “the biggest global aviation start-up in modern history.”
The airline has placed orders for up to 72 Boeing 787 Dreamliners, as many as 60 Airbus A321neos and 50 Airbus A350s, and plans to grow its fleet to eight aircraft by the end of July.
The carrier sits within Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 strategy, which aims to reduce the economy’s dependence on oil through investment in tourism, aviation and logistics.
Cabin interiors, unveiled earlier this year and inspired by Saudi Arabia’s lavender fields and desert landscapes, feature flat-bed seats in business class and Bluetooth audio connectivity across all cabins. Crew uniforms were created by Saudi designer Mohammed Ashi and first shown during Paris Haute Couture Week in 2024.
