A look at Saudi Arabia’s new airline, Riyadh Air

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A look at Saudi Arabia’s new airline, Riyadh Air | Secret Flying

Riyadh Air reveals luxury cabin features.

 

Riyadh Air, Saudi Arabia’s new national airline, has revealed the interiors of its Boeing 787 Dreamliners ahead of the airline’s anticipated launch later this year. The airline’s ambitions are closely tied to the Kingdom’s Vision 2030, which aims to diversify the economy and increase tourism by expanding connectivity to 100 global destinations within five years.

 

The carrier is backed by Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund and has placed significant aircraft orders, including dozens of Airbus A321neos and up to 72 Boeing 787s. These developments are part of a grand vision to establish a premium global airline that evokes the golden era of air travel.

 

Chief Executive Officer Tony Douglas expressed a desire to bring back the glamour and sophistication of legendary airlines such as Pan Am and TWA. This nostalgic approach was evident when Riyadh Air debuted its cabin crew uniforms at Paris Haute Couture Week, a move designed to blend aviation heritage with modern fashion.

 

 

The newly unveiled Dreamliner cabins reflect this luxurious ethos. The aircraft will host up to 290 passengers, and the interiors showcase a rich palette dominated by purple hues, echoing one of the airline’s livery schemes. Touches of “Mocha Gold” add an upscale feel to the premium cabins.

 

A standout feature is the “Business Elite” section at the front of the aircraft. These suites boast 32-inch 4K OLED screens—the largest in business class globally, according to the airline. For couples or companions, a removable centre divider allows two adjoining suites to transform into a double bed, adding a sense of intimacy to the sky-high experience.

 

The business-class suites also utilise Safran Unity seats, which include technology from Devialet, enabling audio to be delivered through headrest speakers without headphones. Japan Airlines was the first to implement this Euphony system, and Riyadh Air is now following suit.

 

 

Each business suite converts to a fully flat bed measuring 6 feet 6 inches in length and 22.5 inches in width. Passengers can expect sliding doors for privacy, multiple charging points including USB-C and USB-A, and elegant dark marble tables with gold veining.

 

In premium economy, Riyadh Air uses the same Recaro PL3530 seats found on Emirates flights, arranged in a 2-3-2 layout. The seats offer a generous 38-inch pitch, 19.2-inch width, calf rests, and 15.6-inch entertainment screens. Douglas noted that while the seat model is familiar, the design elements have been elevated to offer a distinct experience.

 

Economy class, meanwhile, features nine-abreast seating with a 31-inch pitch and 17.2-inch width. Each seat is equipped with a 13.4-inch 4K TV and dual USB-C ports. Adjustable headrests and consistent design across different aircraft types aim to reduce variability in passenger expectations.

 

Riyadh Air’s consistency extends to its narrow-body fleet as well, with the Airbus A321neos expected to feature identical Recaro R3 economy seats. Douglas emphasised that passengers should not have to gamble on what cabin experience their ticket will provide.

 

Although the Boeing 787s currently lack a first-class cabin, Douglas confirmed the airline is considering introducing one on a future wide-body type such as the Airbus A350 or Boeing 777X, as Riyadh Air continues discussions to expand its fleet options.