Riyadh, Saudi Arabia: Saudi Arabia’s new national carrier, Riyadh Air, is set to commence its inaugural international service on October 26, 2025, with daily flights between Riyadh and London Heathrow Airport. This marks a significant milestone in the airline’s “Pathway to Perfect” strategy, aiming to establish operational excellence ahead of its full commercial launch.
Riyadh Air also introduces Sfeer, a pioneering loyalty program designed for a digitally connected, community-oriented generation. Members can share level points with friends and family, helping their peers achieve higher status within the program. Early members will receive priority access to future flight bookings and exclusive experiences.
“Sfeer is more than a loyalty program; it’s a digitally immersive lifestyle ecosystem,” said Tony Douglas. “Our vision is to transform how members engage with airlines, offering unparalleled benefits and fostering a strong sense of community.”
The initial flights will be operated using Riyadh Air’s Boeing 787-9 technical spare aircraft, Jamila. These carefully scheduled flights, initially available to select groups and Riyadh Air employees, are part of the airline’s rigorous preparation ahead of receiving its full fleet from Boeing. Utilizing the newly awarded London Heathrow slots, RX401 will depart Riyadh at 03:15, arriving in London at 07:30, while RX402 will return from London at 09:30, landing in Riyadh at 19:15 (local times). This phase will soon be followed by flights to Dubai. Additional routes for winter 2025 and summer 2026 will be announced shortly.
“This launch is not just a flight program; it’s a realization of our vision to connect Saudi Arabia to the world, a central pillar of Saudi Vision 2030,” said Tony Douglas, CEO of Riyadh Air. “Our 2025 operational commitment is being fulfilled. The carefully sequenced flights on Jamila allow us to fine-tune every detail, ensuring seamless, world-class service. We are now very close to full operations, with more destinations to be revealed as our new aircraft arrive.”
