Riyadh Air Opens Bookings for Formal London Launch

Riyadh Air has formally opened ticket sales for flights between Riyadh and London Heathrow that will be operated by its new Boeing 787-9 Dreamliners from July 1, marking what the carrier describes as a transition from operational readiness flights to a substantive commercial launch. The Saudi startup carrier said the Heathrow route will continue to be operated by a leased aircraft known internally as “Jamila” until June 30, after a soft launch of the service in October last year.

"From July 1, journeys between Riyadh and London Heathrow will be flown by its flagship Boeing 787-9 jets," Riyadh Air said in Tuesday's announcement, outlining the change in equipment and the next phase of the airline's rollout.

Operational context and product

The move closes a gap between Riyadh Air’s months of limited readiness flying and what the airline calls a true commercial debut. Riyadh Air has been conducting those early flights with a leased aircraft as part of an internal program it refers to as "Pathway to Perfect," using the aircraft nicknamed Jamila to build operational maturity before placing its own 787-9s into scheduled service.

The new 787-9s are promoted as the carrier’s flagship equipment and will underpin the airline’s Riyadh‑Heathrow link. Skift’s coverage notes the aircraft will be configured in four classes and that Riyadh Air is rolling out a new loyalty program in tandem with the start of full Dreamliner operations. The airline has framed the formal launch as a major milestone for its ambitions and as a contribution to Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 strategy for economic diversification.

Details to note

• Equipment changeover: Jamila (leased aircraft) operating until June 30; new Boeing 787-9s take over July 1.
• Service history: Route soft-launched in October of the previous year, with limited readiness flights since then.
• Onboard product: Four-class configuration on the 787-9 fleet; a new loyalty program is being promoted alongside ticket sales.
• Program name: Operational readiness flights conducted under Riyadh Air's "Pathway to Perfect" program.

Riyadh Air’s announcement follows months of delays and supply-chain challenges that have affected aircraft deliveries for a range of carriers globally. By formally opening ticket sales tied to its own 787-9 fleet, the airline is seeking to demonstrate that it can move from a preparatory phase into regular commercial operations.

Looking ahead, Riyadh Air has indicated it will continue to expand its network and make further destination announcements in the coming months as additional aircraft enter service. The July 1 transition to the carrier’s own Dreamliners represents a visible step in Riyadh Air’s plan to scale international services and support the broader objectives tied to Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030.