Riyadh Air is preparing to introduce its first own-configured Boeing 787-9 on the Riyadh–London Heathrow route, replacing the interim aircraft it has been using for crew training and soft-launch operations. The Saudi carrier began limited commercial flights between King Khalid International Airport and Heathrow in late October 2025 using a leased Boeing 787, initially carrying employees of the Saudi Public Investment Fund and staff from PIF-owned companies.
According to industry reports, the airline’s first Boeing 787-9 is undergoing pre-delivery preparations in the United States and is expected to enter service in the near term. Once this aircraft joins the fleet, the current 787 used for technical and training purposes is scheduled to be reassigned to flights between Riyadh and Dubai, while the Riyadh–London sector will be operated with Riyadh Air’s own 787-9.
The London service forms part of Riyadh Air’s broader growth plan. The carrier has firm and optional orders for 72 Boeing 787-9s, 50 Airbus A350-1000s, and 60 Airbus A321neos, and intends to expand its network across Europe, Southeast Asia, and North Africa. Over the first five years of full operations, it plans to add destinations at a rapid pace, with London among its earliest international markets.