Riyadh Air Just Announced Its First Flight – But You Can’t Buy A Ticket Yet

Saudi Arabia’s ambitious new airline, Riyadh Air, has officially announced its inaugural flight but general travelers will need to wait a little longer before booking a seat. Backed by the Public Investment Fund (PIF) and positioned as the Kingdom’s next national carrier, Riyadh Air will commence daily flights to London Heathrow (LHR) starting October 26, 2025, as part of a phased operational rollout.

The flights, however, will be far from ordinary. The first passengers on board won’t be the general public, but rather a select group of customers and Riyadh Air employees, all members of the airline’s new loyalty initiative called Sfeer. This “members-only” phase is part of Riyadh Air’s “Pathway to Perfect” strategy a calculated approach to ensuring readiness before launching full commercial operations.

Operating with a Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner known internally as Jamila, these early flights will act as technical and operational testbeds while the airline awaits delivery of its full fleet. Jamila will serve as the backbone of this crucial ramp-up period, helping Riyadh Air maximize its awarded Heathrow slots and deliver real-world service experience to its founding members.

CEO Tony Douglas emphasized that this soft launch marks a significant milestone in the realization of Saudi Vision 2030, with Riyadh Air serving as a strategic connector between Saudi Arabia and the global stage. “This isn’t just a launch,” Douglas said. “It’s a tangible realization of a vision... our pathway to perfect.”

Flights will depart Riyadh at 03:15 am (RX401), arriving in London at 7:30 am, with return service from Heathrow at 9:30 am (RX402). Additional destinations including Dubai will follow shortly after, with a broader route map expected for winter 2025 and summer 2026.

Riyadh Air’s fleet ambitions are substantial: an order book of 72 Boeing 787-9s, 60 Airbus A321neos, and 25 Airbus A350-1000s (with 25 more on option), positioning the airline as a future global heavyweight in aviation.

As for the loyalty programme, Sfeer (meaning "Ambassador" in Arabic and a nod to "sphere" in English) is shaping up to be a digitally immersive experience. Designed around community engagement and gamified elements like challenges and leaderboards, the programme promises to be more than just frequent flyer perks. Early adopters, branded ‘The Founders’, will receive exclusive early access to bookings, shareable level points, and benefits that won’t expire a rare move in the airline loyalty world.

Though Riyadh Air’s full-scale launch won’t happen until its aircraft deliveries are complete, the October flights represent a symbolic and strategic step forward. It’s a statement that Riyadh Air is not just preparing to take off it’s preparing to redefine what air travel looks like in and out of the Kingdom.

For now, eager travelers will have to watch from the ground. But one thing is clear: Riyadh Air is coming and it’s coming in style.