Saudi Arabia’s new flagship airline, Riyadh Air, is set to take to the skies in mid-2025. Its fleet will consist of Boeing 787 Dreamliners, equipped with luxurious business-class suites but without a first-class cabin. The airline’s inaugural flights will depart from King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh, while another national carrier, Saudia, will be based in Jeddah.
In Paris later this year, a presentation of the crew uniform will reflect the “era of jet aircraft” according to an official press release.
Riyadh Air’s Boeing 787 aircraft, with the code RX, will feature a vibrant purple livery symbolizing the color of lavender growing in Saudi Arabia’s desert dunes. This hue is used by the country’s government during official events. The tail and engines of the aircraft will be adorned with a logo resembling the letter “R” inside an airplane window, representing the airline’s aspiration to be a “window to the world.”
The carrier’s second official livery will feature a shimmering white color with elements of blue and purple on the tail and engines.
With $50 billion in state funding, Riyadh Air will initially operate flights on several key routes, predominantly to Asia. The airline’s plans include adding an average of two destinations per month over the course of five years, according to Vincent Cost, the airline’s commercial director.
Currently, Riyadh Air has placed an order for 72 Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner aircraft, with further expansion of the carrier’s fleet likely to continue.
