Riyadh Air nonrev travel is coming — and it’s worth getting ahead of now. Saudi Arabia’s new carrier just took delivery of its first three aircraft and will start flying to London (June 10, 2026), Cairo, Dubai, Madrid, and more. Backed by the Public Investment Fund, Riyadh Air has 182 aircraft on order, 11 airline partnerships, and a CEO who says the one word passengers keep using is “premium.” Here’s everything standby travelers need to know.
CEO Tony Douglas aboard Riyadh Air’s first delivered 787-9, June 5, 2026 — Al Arabiya English interview.
What Is Riyadh Air?
Riyadh Air is Saudi Arabia’s new national carrier — separate from Saudia, which continues to operate. It’s owned by the Public Investment Fund (PIF), the same sovereign wealth vehicle behind Saudi Vision 2030. The airline launched from a blank sheet of paper on March 12, 2023, when Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman issued the founding decree. Three years and three months later, on June 5, 2026, the first aircraft was delivered.
The hub is King Khalid International Airport (RUH) in Riyadh. IATA code: RX. London Heathrow (LHR) was the first route to go on sale, with the inaugural 787-9 flight brought forward from July 1 to June 10, 2026 due to accelerated aircraft deliveries. On June 7, 2026, ticket sales opened for five additional destinations — giving Riyadh Air six active routes in its first week of public operations. If Riyadh is already on your radar as a destination, my guide to your first visit to Riyadh covers the city in detail.
| Destination | Code | Start Date |
|---|---|---|
| London Heathrow | LHR | June 10, 2026 (brought forward from July 1) |
| Jeddah | JED | June 14, 2026 |
| Dubai | DXB | June 18, 2026 |
| Cairo | CAI | June 25, 2026 |
| Madrid | MAD | July 17, 2026 |
| Manchester | MAN | July 23, 2026 |
The airline is targeting 22 cities by March 2027 and over 100 destinations by 2030, with CEO Tony Douglas confirming the Indian subcontinent as a near-term priority and additional route announcements coming in the weeks ahead.
“Today is a momentous day for Riyadh Air as we open sales for Cairo, Dubai, Jeddah, Madrid, and Manchester. This is just the beginning of our rapid expansion — in the coming weeks we will also be announcing the opening of ticket sales to many more exciting destinations.”
— Tony Douglas, CEO, Riyadh Air | Official Press Release, June 7, 2026
The Fleet: 182 Aircraft on Order
Riyadh Air launched with three Boeing 787-9 Dreamliners delivered simultaneously on June 5, 2026 — three more before end of June, two in July, then one per month. The first Airbus delivery is expected by end of 2026. Here’s the complete order picture:
| Aircraft | Type | Order | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Boeing 787-9 | Long-haul widebody | 39 confirmed + 33 purchase rights (72 total) | Europe, North America, Southeast Asia |
| Airbus A350-1000 | Ultra-long-haul widebody | 25 firm + 25 purchase rights | Ultra-long nonstop routes |
| Airbus A321neo | Narrowbody | 60 aircraft | Regional / intra-Middle East / short Europe |
The 787-9 is configured with 290 seats across four classes: Business Elite and Business (sharing a 1-2-1 flat-bed layout), Premium Economy (2-3-2), and Economy (3-3-3). The airline’s total 787-9 commitment — 39 confirmed plus 33 purchase rights — amounts to a potential fleet of 72 Dreamliners.
“In the last 48 hours, we’ve taken delivery of three aircraft. We’ll have another three by the end of this month, two in July, and thereafter one a month. We’re expecting to take our first Airbus delivery at the end of the year.”
— Tony Douglas, CEO, Riyadh Air | Al Arabiya English, June 2026
Cabin Classes: Four Products on Every Flight
The 787-9 operates a four-class configuration — Business Elite, Business, Premium Economy, and Economy. Each cabin has distinct hardware and amenity levels.
Business Elite
The front cabin and the flagship product. Business Elite features a fully flat-bed 1-2-1 layout — every seat has direct aisle access. Amenities include AC power, USB-C and USB-A charging, and immersive high-fidelity sound delivered directly into the headrests. Passengers receive exclusive Kayanee loungewear (the Saudi-made leisure wear brand replacing traditional pajamas) plus luxurious bedding by John Horsfall. CEO Tony Douglas described the front row as being on par with some of the industry’s best first class products — hence the separate “Elite” designation.
Business
Shares the same 1-2-1 flat-bed layout as Business Elite, with the same AC power, USB charging, and headrest audio. Business passengers also receive full Kayanee loungewear. The distinction between Elite and Business is cabin positioning — both share identical seat hardware.
Premium Economy
A 2-3-2 layout with privacy headrest wings, additional storage, expandable surfaces, and four USB-C charging points per seat. Premium Economy passengers receive a Kayanee loungewear top — not the full set, but still a notable amenity inclusion for this cabin class. CEO Tony Douglas called Premium Economy “the absolute winner” — describing it as on par with many airlines’ full business class. Very few carriers include any amenity product in Premium Economy at all.
“Very few airlines actually have this product. It presents itself probably on par with many business classes out there. For me, this one’s the absolute winner.”
— Tony Douglas, CEO, on Riyadh Air’s Premium Economy | Al Arabiya English, June 2026
Economy
A 3-3-3 layout with 6-way adjustable headrests and two USB-C charging points per seat. Seats are ergonomically built with plush foam and premium fabrics. The CEO’s personal tip for nonrev travelers: row 25 has two standout seats he flagged specifically — he flew 14 hours there on the delivery flight. When you’re clearing standby and picking seats at the gate, now you know.
In-Flight Entertainment — Panasonic Astrova
The IFE system is Panasonic Avionics’ Astrova — one of the most modern systems currently deployed in commercial aviation. Content includes over 500 movies and 600 TV series from partners including Shahid, Disney+, HBO Max, and Warner Bros., plus 1,000 audio albums and playlists. Every seat across all four classes has both Bluetooth wireless audio and a traditional physical headphone jack — useful for nonrev travelers who carry their own headphones. Cinema-quality OLED screens, mobile-first connectivity, and USB-C charging complete the package. High-speed Wi-Fi is standard fleet-wide.
Onboard Hospitality
Riyadh Air’s soft product includes restorative Saudi-made Kayanee in-flight products, bespoke Disney amenity kits for younger travelers, premium in-flight dining, and a customized wellness journey described as touching all five senses. Bedding in Business Elite and Business is by John Horsfall.
Sfeer: Riyadh Air’s Loyalty Program
Riyadh Air’s frequent flyer program is called Sfeer — derived from the Arabic word for “Ambassador” and the English word “sphere.” The name reflects the airline’s dual identity: rooted in Saudi hospitality, built for a global community of travelers. CEO Tony Douglas recommends joining immediately, and the reasons are more compelling than most new-airline loyalty programs.
What Sfeer Members Get
- Best Offer Guarantee — Sfeer members always see the lowest available fare, guaranteed
- Complimentary high-speed Wi-Fi on every flight
- No points expiry — miles never expire, ever
- Share level points with friends and family — members can pool status progress, a rare feature in the industry
- Priority access to new route bookings for Founding Members as destinations are announced
- Gamified experiences — challenges and leaderboards built into the app
- Exclusive partner benefits and events on the ground
The Founders Club
Early Sfeer members join an elite tier called The Founders. Founders get priority access to bookings on new routes as they’re announced — which matters practically right now, since Riyadh Air is rolling out destinations in waves through 2026 and 2027. If you plan to fly Riyadh Air on a revenue ticket at any point, signing up as a Founder costs nothing and locks in early-adopter status before the airline scales up.
What This Means for Nonrev Travelers
As with all airline loyalty programs, nonrev travelers on ZED or ID standby passes do not earn Sfeer miles — only revenue ticket purchases qualify. However, if you’re ever positioning on a paid ticket (ZED fare that earns, or a revenue seat) to connect onward, that flight earns Sfeer miles. The no-expiry policy means miles accumulate without pressure regardless of how infrequently you fly revenue. And the complimentary Wi-Fi benefit makes membership worthwhile from the very first revenue flight on Riyadh Air metal.
Join at riyadhair.com/sfeer.
Airline Partnerships: 11 Partners, No Alliance
CEO Tony Douglas confirmed 11 airline partners in the June 2026 interview — and stated explicitly that Riyadh Air does not plan to join a formal alliance (OneWorld, SkyTeam, or Star Alliance). The strategy is bilateral depth over alliance breadth.
| Airline | Region | Network Access |
|---|---|---|
| Delta Air Lines | North & South America | 300+ cities across North and South America |
| Singapore Airlines | Southeast Asia / Pacific | 30+ destinations across Southeast Asia, Australia, New Zealand |
| Turkish Airlines | Europe / Turkey | 150+ cities across Turkey and Europe via Istanbul |
| KLM | Europe / Americas | 150+ destinations via Amsterdam hub |
| Air France | Europe | Riyadh–Paris connectivity |
| Virgin Atlantic | UK / North America / Caribbean | London Heathrow + 20+ North America and Caribbean destinations |
| Air China | China | Nearly 100 cities across China via Beijing |
| China Eastern | China | Riyadh–Shanghai + China Eastern domestic network |
| EgyptAir | Africa / Mediterranean | Riyadh–Cairo + Africa and Mediterranean routes |
| Saudia | Saudi Arabia / Middle East | 10+ cities across Saudi Arabia and the wider Middle East |
| 11th Partner | TBA | Confirmed by CEO, not yet publicly named |
“Delta in North America — super important if we’re going westwards to give us connectivity across the whole of North America and South America. And if we look the other way, Singapore Airlines gives us great connectivity into Australasia and beyond. There’s another nine and they’re all equally important.”
— Tony Douglas, CEO, Riyadh Air | Al Arabiya English, June 2026
What Riyadh Air Nonrev Travel Means for Standby Travelers
Right now, Riyadh Air doesn’t have published interline nonrev (ID) or ZED agreements — it’s a brand-new carrier. But here’s how to think about the opportunity:
Watch your ZED agreement list. A commercial partnership MoU is not the same as a ZED nonrev travel agreement. ZED fares are negotiated separately and govern staff standby travel between carriers. As Riyadh Air’s partnerships with Delta, Singapore Airlines, Turkish Airlines, and others mature into operational codeshares, ZED agreements are the logical next step. Check your airline’s pass travel office now — and again in six months.
RUH as a connecting hub. Riyadh sits at roughly equal flight distance from London, Singapore, and New York. With 22 cities by March 2027 and 100 destinations targeted by 2030, RUH is positioning alongside Dubai (DXB) and Doha (DOH) as a sixth-freedom Middle East hub. If your airline develops Gulf-region ZED agreements, Riyadh Air could give you another routing option for Asia, Europe, and the Americas. And if you end up with time in the city, my first-time visitor’s guide to Riyadh covers what to do with it.
Early-stage loads favor nonrev travelers. New airlines historically run lower load factors in their first two years as revenue demand builds. If your airline establishes a ZED agreement with Riyadh Air, the early window on new routes is the best time to use it. Monitor OA loads at FlightLoads by Passrider once Riyadh Air appears in your airline’s system.
The product is genuinely competitive. Douglas said the one-word reaction from early passengers is “premium.” For nonrev travelers cleared into Business Elite, Business, or Premium Economy — OLED IFE, flat-bed suites, Kayanee amenity kits across three cabin classes — this is a significant step above older widebody equipment on the same routes.
Are They Hiring?
Yes — and at a scale that reflects the ambition. CEO Tony Douglas revealed that Riyadh Air received over 2 million applications across 146 nationalities since the airline was founded. Current cabin crew represent more than 60 nationalities.
“We’ve had over 2 million people apply to be considered for being members of the Riyadh Air family over the last two and a half years. 146 different nationalities.”
— Tony Douglas, CEO, Riyadh Air | Al Arabiya English, June 2026
Open departments: Pilots, Engineering, Operations & Corporate, and Cabin Crew. The NAWAT Cabin Crew Program is an eight-month training path, developed with Bunyan for Training Company, aligned to international aviation standards, and guaranteed to lead to employment on completion.
Browse all roles and join the talent community at riyadhair.com/careers.
The Bottom Line
Riyadh Air is real, it’s flying, and the product is serious. Three 787-9 Dreamliners delivered June 5, 2026. London flights starting June 10. Jeddah, Dubai, Cairo, Madrid, and Manchester all launching through July. A350-1000s arriving by year-end. Eleven airline partners. Four cabin classes with flat beds in two of them, Kayanee amenity kits in three, and a CEO who tells you which row to pick in Economy.
For nonrev travelers, the play is simple: keep Riyadh Air on your radar, watch your airline’s ZED agreement updates, and if an agreement appears — get on a flight while loads are low and routes are new. RUH may be the next great connecting hub for standby travel. When you get there, we’ve got the city covered.
Track the network, join Sfeer, and book at riyadhair.com.
Frequently Asked Questions: Riyadh Air for Nonrev Travelers
Is Riyadh Air flying right now in 2026?
Yes. Riyadh Air received its first three Boeing 787-9 Dreamliners on June 5, 2026. London Heathrow flights launched June 10, 2026, with Jeddah (June 14), Dubai (June 18), Cairo (June 25), Madrid (July 17), and Manchester (July 23) following. The airline is targeting 22 cities by March 2027.
What aircraft does Riyadh Air fly?
Three types: the Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner (39 confirmed + 33 purchase rights = up to 72 total), the Airbus A350-1000 (25 firm orders + 25 purchase rights), and the Airbus A321neo (60 aircraft). Total order book: 182 aircraft. The 787-9 is configured with 290 seats across four cabin classes.
What cabin classes does Riyadh Air offer?
Four classes: Business Elite (front cabin, 1-2-1 flat-bed, full Kayanee loungewear, bedding by John Horsfall), Business (same 1-2-1 flat-bed layout and loungewear), Premium Economy (2-3-2, privacy headrest wings, Kayanee loungewear top, 4 USB-C ports), and Economy (3-3-3, 6-way adjustable headrest, 2 USB-C ports). The CEO’s personal economy seat pick: row 25.
Can I travel on Riyadh Air as a nonrev?
That depends on whether your airline has a ZED or interline ID agreement with Riyadh Air. As of mid-2026, the airline is new and published nonrev agreements are limited. Check your airline’s staff travel portal. As commercial partnerships with Delta, Singapore Airlines, and others mature into operational codeshares, ZED agreements are likely to follow.
Does Riyadh Air have a ZED agreement with Delta or Singapore Airlines?
Riyadh Air has signed commercial MoUs with Delta, Singapore Airlines, Turkish Airlines, Air France, KLM, Virgin Atlantic, EgyptAir, Air China, China Eastern, Saudia, and an 11th undisclosed partner. A commercial MoU is not the same as a ZED nonrev travel agreement — those are negotiated separately and govern staff standby travel. Contact your airline’s pass travel office for current ZED agreement status.
What is the Riyadh Air loyalty program?
The program is called Sfeer — from the Arabic for “Ambassador” and the English “sphere.” Sfeer members receive a Best Offer Guarantee (lowest available fare), complimentary high-speed Wi-Fi on every flight, miles that never expire, and the ability to share level points with friends and family. Early members join The Founders tier, which includes priority access to new route bookings as destinations are announced.
Does Sfeer work for nonrev travelers?
Nonrev travelers on ZED or ID standby passes do not earn Sfeer miles — only revenue ticket purchases qualify. Note: complimentary Wi-Fi is included on every flight for all Sfeer members. You can always sign up for the frequent flyer program even when flying as a nonrev, you just won’t get any miles for it.
What are Riyadh Air’s load factors like?
No public load data is available yet — the airline is too new. Newly launched carriers historically run lower load factors in their first one to two years as revenue demand builds. That’s the best window for nonrev travelers who have ZED access. Monitor OA loads at FlightLoads by Passrider once Riyadh Air appears in your airline’s booking system.
What is the IATA code for Riyadh Air?
Riyadh Air’s IATA airline code is RX. The hub airport is Riyadh King Khalid International Airport, IATA code RUH.
Is Riyadh Air hiring?
Yes. Over 2 million applicants across 146 nationalities have applied since founding. Open departments include Pilots, Engineering, Operations & Corporate, and Cabin Crew. The NAWAT Cabin Crew Program is an eight-month training path that leads directly to employment on completion. Browse all openings at riyadhair.com/careers.
Will Riyadh Air join OneWorld, SkyTeam, or Star Alliance?
No — at least not according to current plans. CEO Tony Douglas stated explicitly in June 2026 that Riyadh Air does not plan to join a formal alliance, choosing instead to build a bilateral partner network. The airline currently has 11 confirmed airline partners spanning North America, Europe, Southeast Asia, China, and the Middle East.
How does Riyadh Air compare to Emirates and Qatar Airways for nonrev travelers?
Emirates (EK/DXB) and Qatar Airways (QR/DOH) are mature carriers with well-established ZED agreements. Riyadh Air (RX/RUH) is earlier stage — fewer agreements today, but lower load competition on new routes for travelers who do have access. Add RUH to your monitoring list alongside DXB and DOH — all three hubs share similar geographic positioning for connecting Europe, Asia, and the Americas.
Sources: Riyadh Air Fleet | Riyadh Air Cabin | Riyadh Air Airline Partnerships | Riyadh Air Careers | Riyadh Air Press Release, June 7, 2026 | Al Arabiya English — CEO Tony Douglas interview, June 8, 2026