Riyadh Air soft-launches daily Riyadh-London service Oct. 26

Published on Oct 9, 2025, 2:57 pm CDT

6 min read

Saudi Arabia's startup flag carrier Riyadh Air will begin limited commercial operations on October 26 with a daily link between King Khalid International Airport (RUH) and London Heathrow Airport (LHR). Seats are initially restricted to employees and select groups as the airline validates operations and utilizes a newly awarded Heathrow slot ahead of broader sales. Flights will use a leased 787-9 in Riyadh Air livery while the carrier awaits delivery of its own widebodies. A Dubai route will follow soon after, with additional cities slated for winter 2025 and summer 2026.

Key Points

Why it matters: Launch protects Riyadh Air's scarce Heathrow slot and starts real-world ops before major fleet arrivals.
Travel impact: Limited seats now; wider public availability expected after initial proving phase.
What's next: Dubai service launches soon; more winter 2025 and summer 2026 routes to be announced.
Fleet plan: Firm orders include Boeing 787-9, Airbus A350-1000, and A321neo families.
Premium focus: Large-format IFE screens and high-spec cabins aim to court business travelers.

Snapshot

Riyadh Air's first daily service pairs King Khalid International Airport (RUH) with London Heathrow Airport (LHR) starting October 26. Tickets are initially limited to employees and invited groups while the airline fine-tunes operations, meets Heathrow utilization requirements under the global 80/20 slot rule, and positions for a larger public rollout. Operations will use a leased 787-9 that already carries the purple-and-gold livery, pending delivery of new 787-9s and A350-1000s. The carrier says Dubai is next, with further route announcements due in the coming weeks for winter 2025 and summer 2026. The soft launch also coincides with Riyadh Air's Sfeer loyalty program and plans for Hafawa Lounge, reinforcing a premium, tech-forward proposition.

Background

Riyadh Air is a Public Investment Fund-backed startup created to anchor Saudi Arabia's tourism and connectivity push under Vision 2030. The Kingdom has flagged more than $800 billion in tourism investment spanning giga-projects and transport upgrades. Fleet commitments include 39 Boeing 787-9 Dreamliners (with options for 33 more), 25 Airbus A350-1000s, and 60 Airbus A321neo jets, placing the newcomer on a growth path toward 100 destinations within five years. Cabin plans emphasize a premium experience, highlighted by Business Elite suites and large 4K OLED displays, with four-cabin A350 layouts planned for long-haul. To secure scarce Heathrow access, the airline will operate daily even before its own aircraft arrive, aligning with international "use it or lose it" slot rules that incentivize active utilization. The early London move positions Riyadh Air to challenge regional connectors on high-yield trunk markets.

Latest Developments

Daily Heathrow launch with invite-only sales

Riyadh Air will operate a daily RUH-LHR roundtrip beginning October 26, with outbound RX401 departing Riyadh at 315 a.m. and arriving 730 a.m., and return RX402 leaving London at 930 a.m. and arriving 715 p.m. Seats are initially available only to employees and select groups, a staged approach the carrier says will validate service quality and readiness while utilizing its Heathrow slot. The flights will use a leased 787-9 in full livery that the airline has employed for certification and crew training. Deliveries of new 787-9s begin ahead, followed by A350-1000s and A321neos on longer and regional missions. Riyadh Air also introduced its Sfeer loyalty program, previewed reciprocal benefits and free Wi-Fi for members, and teased Hafawa Lounge concepts at its home base. A Dubai launch will follow soon after London, with more cities to be revealed for winter 2025 and summer 2026.

Analysis

A daily Heathrow presence is strategically significant for a startup aiming to be an East-West connector. Heathrow's constraints make slots among the most valuable assets in aviation; operating now helps Riyadh Air establish a performance record under 80/20 usage norms while its fleet is still inbound. The timing also plants a flag on a premium, business-heavy corridor where schedule reliability and lounge quality drive share. The invite-only phase limits immediate traveler access, but it reduces operational risk while the airline debugs processes from catering to connectivity, and it builds crew currency on a complex hub-to-hub route.

The fleet plan underwrites the strategy. The 787-9 gives efficient range for Europe, Africa, and Asia, while the A350-1000 adds capacity for marquee long-hauls. A321neos will stitch together regional spokes and secondary markets. Coupled with large-format IFE and high-spec business suites, the product aims squarely at corporate travelers who prize sleep, privacy, and bandwidth. The Sfeer program's sharing mechanics and promised free Wi-Fi are modern touches that could accelerate adoption if execution matches ambition.

Risks remain. London is fiercely competitive, and scale takes time; premium yields depend on punctuality, partnerships, and consistent service recovery. Public availability and pricing will determine whether curiosity converts to bookings once sales open wider. Still, securing Heathrow, sequencing Dubai next, and signaling more routes for winter 2025 and summer 2026 suggests a disciplined build toward a multi-hub network effect centered on Riyadh.

Final Thoughts

Riyadh Air's quiet Heathrow debut is less about immediate revenue and more about staking territory in the world's most constrained markets while sharpening operations. The leased 787-9 keeps the slot warm, the Sfeer program seeds loyalty, and Dubai adds rapid regional connectivity. With 787-9, A350-1000, and A321neo deliveries queued, the airline is assembling the tools it needs to court premium flyers and scale quickly. Execution and partnerships will decide how quickly it can challenge established Gulf and Turkish hubs. For now, the strategy is clear and the runway is set for the Riyadh Air launch.