Saudi Airline Unveiling Unveils Competition Against Qatar and Emirates
Saudi Arabia's Riyadh Air Unveils Luxurious Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner Interiors
Riyadh Air, the highly anticipated new airline based in Saudi Arabia, has revealed the interiors of its Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner fleet. The airline, set to start operations in late 2025, aims to stand out in the industry with a unique and stylish design.
The 787-9 Dreamliner will feature a three-class configuration comprising Business Elite, Business Class, Premium Economy, and Economy Class. Each class emphasizes luxury and passenger comfort with modern specifications.
Business Elite Class boasts the Safran Unity Elite seat in a 1-2-1 layout. The seats feature 52-inch-high privacy walls with sliding doors and convert into fully flat beds measuring approximately 78 inches long, providing a private and spacious experience. Passengers will also enjoy 32-inch 4K OLED screens and multiple power outlets including USB-A and USB-C.
Business Class offers full-height privacy panels and sliding doors, providing exclusivity typically reserved for First Class. Seats are arranged in a 1-2-1 configuration, offering direct aisle access for every passenger.
Premium Economy is configured with 2-3-2 seating across 39 seats. These seats offer a generous 38-inch seat pitch for extra legroom and are equipped with larger 15.6-inch 4K OLED screens for inflight entertainment. Each seat also features privacy wings and expanded storage.
Economy Class is set in a 3-3-3 layout with a 31-inch pitch, 17.2-inch width, and 13.4-inch screens. The seats feature 2 USB-C ports per seat and six-way adjustable headrests to enhance comfort.
The cabin experience is designed to feel interconnected yet exclusive, with attention to detail throughout. The aircraft’s livery is a distinctive purple inspired by Saudi Arabia’s native lavender, symbolizing ceremonial heritage, with a stylized 'R' logo on the tail and engines.
Riyadh Air integrates state-of-the-art technology throughout the passenger journey, offering free high-speed Wi-Fi via Viasat and a unique audio experience through a partnership with Devialet. The airline's amenity kit providers and food and beverage options have not yet been disclosed.
Excitement continues to build as the airline prepares to announce its inaugural route and officially begin operations. This launch aligns with Saudi Arabia’s broader efforts to transform into a global tourism hub, targeting over 150 million tourists annually by 2030.
Despite having received its Air Operator Certificate (AOC), Riyadh Air is still awaiting delivery of its first jet from Boeing due to supply chain issues, causing a delay in its launch. The airline does not serve alcohol onboard, in accordance with Saudi regulations.
Riyadh Air's cabin design aims to enhance the journey with ergonomic seat designs, premium fabrics, tufted stitching, plush foam, and subtle lighting to support natural rhythms. The airline is the world’s first digital-native airline, promising a seamless and innovative travel experience for its passengers.
- The luxury interiors of Riyadh Air's Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner, with a three-class configuration, offer an innovative travel experience in the airline industry, including Business Elite Class, Business Class, Premium Economy, and Economy Class, each focusing on passenger comfort and modern specifications.
- Riyadh Air's unique cabin design, filled with ergonomic seat designs, premium fabrics, and subtle lighting, aims to provide a seamless and digital-native travel experience, while also aligning with Saudi regulations by not serving alcohol on board.
