Riyadh Air Opens Ticket Sales for Riyadh-London Route: “Hafawa” Era Begins
Riyadh Air, the new national airline of Saudi Arabia, has reached a strategic milestone by opening ticket sales for its flights between King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh and London Heathrow. The airline confirmed the deployment of its new Boeing 787-9 Dreamliners commencing July 1, 2026. This development strengthens the carrier’s presence in a key economic corridor and reinforces its commitment to a world-class travel experience aligned with the Kingdom’s Vision 2030.
A New Era in G20 Capital Connectivity
The Riyadh-London route serves as a cornerstone of Riyadh Air’s international expansion strategy. Beyond connecting two major global financial hubs, this service addresses growing business and tourism demand in both directions, facilitating cultural exchange and strengthening commercial ties between Saudi Arabia and the United Kingdom.
Furthermore, this strategic connection allows the airline to position Riyadh as a premier global hub, facilitating connections to future destinations that the carrier will announce in due course.
Schedule and Operations
Effective July 1, 2026, the route will operate daily, exclusively utilizing the new Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner fleet. Until June 30, 2026, flights will continue to operate under the “Pathway to Perfect” operational readiness program, utilizing the technical reserve aircraft known as “Jamila.”
Daily Flight Details:
- Flight RX401: Departure from Riyadh at 02:35, arrival in London at 07:30 (local time).
- Flight RX402: Departure from London at 09:35, arrival in Riyadh at 18:05 (local time).
Passengers may purchase tickets starting today, May 19, 2026, via the official Riyadh Air app, its website, or through authorized travel providers and platforms.
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Onboard Experience and Premium Product
The airline’s new Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner features a four-class configuration designed to maximize technological comfort and ergonomics:
- Business Elite and Business: Feature a 1-2-1 lie-flat bed layout, USB-C/USB-A charging ports, AC power outlets, and high-fidelity headrest audio.
- Premium Economy: Offers a 2-3-2 configuration with privacy wings on the headrests, additional storage, and four USB-C charging points.
- Economy: 3-3-3 configuration with 6-way adjustable headrests and two USB-C charging points.
The experience is complemented by the Panasonic Avionics Astrova In-Flight Entertainment (IFE) system, offering over 500 movies and 600 series, Bluetooth connectivity for wireless audio, and a curated selection of music. Additionally, onboard services include wellness products from the Saudi brand Kayanee, Disney amenities for children, and exclusive sleepwear for Business Elite, Business, and Premium Economy classes.
Sfeer Loyalty Program
As part of its value proposition, the airline invites customers to join Sfeer, its loyalty program, the name of which evokes the persona of an ambassador and global essence. Key benefits include:
- Best Offer Guarantee: A guarantee of the best available fare.
- Connectivity: Complimentary onboard Wi-Fi.
- Flexibility: A “no-expiry points” policy and the ability to share status points with friends and family.
- The Founders: Initial members will receive “Founders” status, granting them priority on new route bookings and other exclusive benefits within an ecosystem that blends gamified experiences with a digital lifestyle.
With the introduction of this aircraft and its distinctive Saudi “Hafawa” hospitality, Riyadh Air is poised to redefine international travel standards to and from the Kingdom, fulfilling its ambition to become a world-class airline.
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