Riyadh Air Finally Goes On Sale: Public London Flights Start July 1, 2026

Riyadh Air has opened public ticket sales for its inaugural scheduled service between Riyadh King Khalid International (RUH) and London Heathrow (LHR), with flights set to commence July 1, 2026. The Saudi startup, backed by the Public Investment Fund, will operate daily flights RX401/RX402 on the route — RX401 departs Riyadh at 02:35 and arrives in London at 07:30, while RX402 departs London at 09:35 and arrives back in Riyadh at 18:05 — after an invite-only “Pathway to Perfect” soft launch that started in October 2025.

"I’m glad Riyadh Air has reached the point where travelers can fly with the airline," wrote Connor Clancy, who has been following the carrier closely for The Pointy Miles.

Route, schedule and soft launch

London Heathrow was a predictable choice for Riyadh Air’s first public destination: Heathrow’s status as a major international hub aligns with the carrier’s premium ambitions. The airline used invite-only flights beginning October 2025 to train crews, test operations and refine the passenger experience, operating an interim aircraft nicknamed "Jamila," an ex-Oman Air Boeing 787-9 fitted with Apex Suites in a 2-2-2 business configuration.

Fleet and product plans

• Ordered fleet: 39 Boeing 787-9s (launch long-haul type), 60 Airbus A321neos (regional connectors), and 25 Airbus A350-1000s with additional purchase rights (future flagship).
• Current transition: Riyadh Air will move from the ex-Oman Air 787 used for soft-launch operations to its own aircraft featuring a bespoke onboard product for public routes.
• Business class: initial soft-launch cabins used Apex Suites, but Riyadh Air has signaled a more luxurious interior for aircraft delivered to its own specification.

Fares, bundles and partnerships

Early fares reflect a premium positioning. Business-class round trips between London and Riyadh price from about 27,000 SAR (roughly $7,200), while Riyadh-originating round trips appear to start around 18,500 SAR (roughly $4,930). Riyadh Air is using a tiered fare structure: Economy and Premium Economy feature Lite, Smart and Flex fares; Business class is offered in Smart, Flex and Elite packages. The "Business Elite" tier aims to function as a Business Plus or "First-class-light" product with preferred first-row seating and enhanced amenities.

Riyadh Air has announced partnerships with Delta and Virgin Atlantic, but, as of the public launch, flights do not yet appear to be bookable through partner programs such as Delta SkyMiles or Virgin Atlantic’s systems. The carrier is also developing a hub experience in Riyadh, including the Hafawa Lounge, and plans a loyalty program called Sfeer.

Outlook

Riyadh Air faces strong competition from established Gulf and regional carriers including Emirates, Qatar Airways, Etihad and Turkish Airlines. Success will depend on whether the carrier’s new onboard product, Riyadh hub experience and the Sfeer loyalty program can match or exceed rivals on service, connectivity and value. Clancy notes the strategic logic of starting at Heathrow and highlights potential future expansion to North America — with New York JFK or Atlanta cited as likely early long-haul targets given the Delta partnership — positioning Riyadh as a one-stop gateway to Saudi Arabia, the Middle East and Asia if the airline can scale as planned.