Riyadh Air's first 787 has arrived (for real). But... how will the Saudis use it (rich people stuff)
Almost two years after its official founding date in March 2023, Riyadh Air has received its [...]
Riyadh Air
RUH
Saudi Arabia
Almost two years after its official founding date in March 2023, Riyadh Air has received its first aircraft. It is the Boeing 787-9 in white livery whose photos had been circulated a few days ago on social media.
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A second livery totally contrasting with the indigo blue livery 'dressed' by the Dreamliner through which the Saudi Arabian carrier had begun flight crew training and promoted itself to the world by participating in major air shows.
Well, the Saudi company, with an official note on its website, confirmed that this (unlike the one in blue livery that was returned to the lessor last October) is actually its first aircraft in the fleet, with HZ-RXX markings.
But he pointed out that not part of the order for 39 Boeing 787-9s (plus 33 other options for the same type of aircraft) he had placed with Boeing in March 2023. He added that Will be used to continue flight and training operations with a view to obtaining a commercial air operator's license.
But, in addition to pilot training, this first 787-9 will also be used for cabin crew training. Unlike the blue livery example, in fact, this 787-9 has a fully furnished cabin in two classes, with 30 seats in Business and 258 in Economy.
It is in fact a 787-9 ex-Oman Air, which Riyadh Air leased from the Muscat-based carrier. At a later stage "thanks to its high-end interior." explains the Saudi company in the official note on its website, "the plane will be used as a backup car." in case of technical failure of one of the planes that Riyadh Air will receive later this year and with which it will begin flight operations.
This first aircraft, however, will never receive the outfitting that the 787s owned by the Saudi Arabian carrier will have, of which, moreover, very little is known except that it will be two-class with a Business that has been called the "Maybach of the skies."
Nothing is also known about the first destinations to which the new company will fly and on the cadence of 787-9 deliveries. And the same goes for the arrival of the firstAirbus A321neo, which Riyadh Air chose for medium-range by ordering 60 examples from Airbus last October.
