Riyadh Air to Launch Inaugural London Flight on October 26, 2025

(RIYADH, SAUDI ARABIA) Riyadh Air will operate its inaugural flight from Riyadh to London Heathrow on October 26, 2025, marking the first public step for Saudi Arabia’s newest national carrier since its creation under the Public Investment Fund.

The first operation will use a Boeing 787-9 named “Jamila,” flying from King Khalid International Airport to Heathrow’s Terminal 4 on a schedule designed for early morning arrivals in London. For the initial phase, bookings are limited to Riyadh Air and PIF employees and their families through a special launch membership tied to the airline’s new Sfeer loyalty program.

General ticket sales will start only after the airline takes delivery of its first brand-new Boeing 787-9, expected “weeks after” the inaugural flight. Daily service will run as flight RX401, departing Riyadh at 3:15 a.m. and arriving at Heathrow at 7:30 a.m., with the return RX402 leaving London at 9:30 a.m.

The aircraft flying these first rotations is a technically designated spare, acquired from Oman Air to support crew training, route proving, and certification work. This approach gives Riyadh Air the ability to begin flying before its new fleet arrives, while still meeting Heathrow’s strict slot-use rules.

While many carriers launch with a public sale from day one, Riyadh Air is starting with a restricted passenger list to test real operations with a controlled group. According to analysis by VisaVerge.com, this staged rollout helps an airline measure the full passenger journey—digital booking, airport services, catering, and onboard experience—without the pressure of immediate mass demand. It also allows quick fixes where needed before opening sales to wider audiences.

Operational rollout and slot compliance

The airline confirms that the first flights are limited to employees of Riyadh Air, staff of the Public Investment Fund, and their families, who can access early seats through Sfeer. Sfeer enrollment opens on October 8, 2025, but public booking is not available until new aircraft arrive from Boeing.

Riyadh Air’s fleet orders include:
– 39 Boeing 787-9s with options for 33 more
– 25 Airbus A350-1000s with options for 25
– 60 Airbus A321neo jets

These orders are part of a plan to serve more than 100 destinations by 2030. Delivery delays at Boeing pushed back the public launch, prompting the use of a leased 787-9 for training and early operations.

At Heathrow, airlines must use assigned slots or risk losing them. By operating a daily schedule immediately—even with a limited passenger group—Riyadh Air protects its access at one of the world’s most constrained airports. The airline says the restricted launch is intended to “test and refine all aspects” of service, from ground handling to in-flight offerings, before selling to the general public. This is a notable break from traditional first-day fanfare and suggests a methodical strategy focused on reliability.

Riyadh Air plans to announce more routes soon, with Dubai expected to follow London. Additional destinations for winter 2025 and summer 2026 will come in phases, aligning with aircraft deliveries and the build-out of crews, training, and customer support.

The airline’s long-haul focus with the Boeing 787-9 gives it flexibility on medium and long routes, while the future Airbus A321neo fleet will open regional and short-haul options.

What this means for travelers and employers

For most travelers, the headline is simple: the inaugural flight is not yet open to the public. If you are not part of the Riyadh Air or PIF launch group, you will need to wait until the first new 787-9 is delivered and public sales begin. The carrier has not published a firm date; given the stated “weeks after” window, travelers planning autumn and early winter trips should monitor Riyadh Air’s official channels for updates, route additions, and fare releases.

Employers in Saudi Arabia who regularly send staff to the United Kingdom may find the early arrival time at Heathrow attractive, especially for meetings in central London. The 3:15 a.m. departure from Riyadh positions passengers for morning connections at Heathrow and same-day business schedules.

Once public sales open, corporate travel teams can assess:
– pricing
– schedule reliability
– lounge and loyalty benefits

Until then, the restricted phase provides familiarization for staff within the launch group and a chance to report any service issues that need attention.

Families in the launch group will see a preview of the airline’s customer journey, from Sfeer enrollment to airport check-in and onboard service design. Because the aircraft is a leased Boeing 787-9, early passengers should expect a cabin layout consistent with its previous operator while Riyadh Air finalizes its own long-term product. The carrier has emphasized that this period is about learning and improving before a wider rollout.

Travel planning also includes entry rules. Those booking London flights—once public sales open—should check official UK government guidance for visas and border control. The UK maintains different entry rules based on nationality, purpose of travel, and length of stay.

For official, up-to-date government information, see:
– Check if you need a UK visa

Policies can change with little notice, so travelers should confirm requirements before buying tickets.

Strategic and operational takeaways

From a policy perspective, Riyadh Air’s measured start highlights the balance between ambition and operational readiness. Launching with employees and their families sets a controlled baseline, limits surprises, and still allows the airline to hold a valuable Heathrow presence. The choice of London also signals the importance of high-demand, premium markets in the airline’s early network.

As more aircraft arrive, a mix of regional and long-haul services should take shape, supporting Saudi Arabia’s goal of larger global air links by 2030. Boeing’s delays affected the timeline, but the leased 787-9 gives Riyadh Air a way to train crews, test systems, and fly a predictable schedule.

If the restricted phase surfaces issues, they can be fixed without public fallout. When sales open, the focus will turn to:
– pricing
– schedules
– lounge access
– how Sfeer rewards compare with regional and global rivals

Riyadh Air’s approach departs from splashy launch playbooks but fits a careful build strategy. The real test for the broader public will begin when ticket sales open and the airline competes on service, reliability, and price on one of the most watched corridors in global aviation.

Key facts for the launch period

Riyadh Air’s methodical initial phase is designed to protect critical Heathrow slots while building a reliable operation. For the traveling public, the most important step is waiting for the first new-787 delivery that will trigger general ticket sales and reveal how the airline stacks up against established competitors.