Riyadh Air Receives Boeing 787 Dreamliner Aircraft in June 2026 as Saudi Carrier Launches Commercial Operations

Saudi Arabia – Riyadh Air, Saudi Arabia's new national airline, has received its first two Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner aircraft in Riyadh, a historic milestone for the carrier as it advances toward the launch of commercial service.

• The two 787-9s are the first deliveries from Riyadh Air's order for up to 72 Boeing 787 Dreamliners, which will serve as the airline's primary fleet for regional and long-haul operations connecting Saudi Arabia to destinations across Europe, Asia, Africa, and North America.
• Riyadh Air plans to serve more than 100 destinations by 2030, with early 787 service planned to cities including London, Cairo, and Jeddah.
• The deliveries represent a significant pilot training milestone for Riyadh Air's developing in-house training infrastructure, which includes an MPS-manufactured Airbus A321neo FTD-2 ordered in December 2025.
• In February 2026, Riyadh Air launched an Employment-First Overseas Scholarship Program in partnership with Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University's Prescott Campus, providing a degree-integrated pilot training pathway for Saudi cadets as the airline builds its national pilot workforce.
• The carrier's fleet plan is aligned with Saudi Vision 2030's aviation targets of attracting 150 million visitors and serving 330 million passengers annually by 2030.

Statements

• "To see our very first custom-built 787 Dreamliner airplanes touch down in Riyadh is a historic moment for us, and a momentous day for Saudi aviation. I couldn't be more excited or more confident about the future and the legacy we are creating. Not only are we building an airline, we are opening a new gateway to the world from the heart of the Kingdom. We are absolutely ready and excited to welcome the world to Riyadh," said Tony Douglas, CEO, Riyadh Air.
• "Riyadh Air is bringing to life a vision of modern world-class travel, and we are delighted to support them as they open new possibilities for the Kingdom and the world. The 787 Dreamliner gives Riyadh Air unmatched efficiency, flexibility across routes and a beautiful interior that will deliver a phenomenal travel experience," said Stephanie Pope, President and CEO, Boeing Commercial Airplanes.

Source: Boeing