Riyadh Air ready for takeoff, unveiled new cabins. Took top of the market and improved it

Since when Riyadh Air has been made official we followed the birth of this new company, not only because of the geographical proximity and the possible impact for the travel of many Italian passengers, but especially because of the implications this new carrier will have in the Gulf area.

Of course launching a new company of this size is not easy and the time frame is not short.

In recent years, the marketing strategy has been clear: continue to keep the focus high as all the pieces fell into place.

Riyadh Air, key dates.

It calls itself the "company without a past and the first born in the digital age." Was founded on March 12, 2023 at the initiative of Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and supported by the Public Investment Fund (PIF) . The first livery was unveiled on June 4, 2023. official on a Boeing 787-9, while the first aircraft, used for training and technical support, was delivered on June 12, 2023 .

On June 14, 2023, Riyadh Air was granted an economic license for passenger air transport by the General Authority of Civil Aviation (GACA) . Initially scheduled for early 2025, operational launch has been postponed to the fourth quarter of 2025 Due to delays in Boeing 787 deliveries. .

In these 2 years, however, there have also been many side initiatives such as the sponsorship of Atletico Madrid, the presentation of the uniforms, participation in events, and then finally, The arrival of the first real, new, 787 with the official livery. In addition to the 70 Dreamliners the fleet will also consist of the A321neo and LR which will be set up in two different configurations: short and long range.

The airline plans to operate flights to more than 100 destinations by 2030, contributing to Riyadh's transformation into a global hub, in line with Saudi Vision 2030 goals, and capable of compete with Emirates and Qatar both as a company and as a geopolitical hub.

Now after getting the last certification needed to take flight, arrives Finally, the most important thing, which is the fitting out of the fleet cabins.

Riyadh Air, immediately business elite then first class

The booths presented are nothing revolutionary,  but the point was not to amaze as much as to offer a product that could immediately compete with giants such as Emirates, Qatar, Singapore and thehe choice fell on the best products available and ready on the market today, no Allegris-like flights of fancy, but solid certainties of elements already flying for other companies adding a Personal touch and (finally) not too tacky which for an MO company is already a victory.

The ultimate in onboard technology, where there will be free wi-fi for all and 4k screens up to 32″, Bluetooth connectivity and, for business only, built-in speakers in the seat, a true top-of-the-line feature.

Riyadh Air's 787s will have a total of 290 seats, divided as follows:

• Four elite business class seats in a 1-2-1 configuration
• 24 standard business class seats in 1-2-1 configuration
• 39 seats in premium economy class, in 2-3-2 configuration
• 223 seats in economy class, in 3-3-3 configuration

Riyadh Air Business Elite on the 787

The fashion of the moment, also the child of a prediction of First's abandonment that turned out to be wrong, is to Aim for a front row of "premium" or elite business class as Riyadh Air calls it. It happens with so many carriers from theITA Airways A321 at Lufthansa's new Allegris business class, passing through the front row of Singapore Airlines' A380s or that of the Virgin Atlantic's A330neo or of Air France.

As is the case with all these carriers Riyadh Air will sell Business Elite as a different product from business class. This means that catering and amenities will be different from other passengers.

Business Elite on the 787s will consist of four seats, arranged in a single row, in a 1-2-1 configuration. Riyadh Air has chosen Safran Unity Elite seats, each of which has a pitch of 114 cm, a width of 57 cm, a 4K OLED screen from 32″, a power socket, a USB-A socket and two USB-C sockets.

Suites will have walls and sliding doors for high privacy 132 cm and, when reclined, the length of the bed will be 198 cm. The two central suites of the Business Elite can even be converted into a double bed.

All business class seats will be equipped with speakers built into the headrest, a solution to date offered only by Japan Airlines, which installs the same seat aboard its A350s.

Riyadh Air Business class on the 787

Riyadh Air's business class will consist of. 24 seats, spread over six rows, in a 1-2-1 configuration.

The chair will be the same as the Elite, namely the Safran Unity, with each seat having a pitch of 114 cm, a width of 57 cm, while the 4K OLED screen will only be 22″, an AC outlet, a USB-C outlet, and two USB-C outlets. Privacy, size and features of the rest of the seat will be identical to the Elite.

Riyadh Air PremiumEconomy class on the 787

Again, Riyadh Air follows current fashions by offering premium economy that will consist of 39 places, distributed over six files, in a configuration 2-3-2.

The company chose the Recaro PL3530s, which when said like this means nothing to the 99.99% of readers, but suffice it to say. Are the same seats installed by Emirates on the new A380s and on the rest of the fleet. Each seat equipped with 96.5 cm pace, 48.8 cm width, a 4K OLED screen from 15.6″ e 4 USB-C sockets. Thanks to the seat structure, passengers will have privacy, space, excellent recline and comfortable leg support.

Riyadh Air Economy class on the 787

Riyadh Air's economy class will consist of. 223 places, distributed over 25 rows, with configuration 3-3-3. Riyadh Air chose the Recaro R3 platform, with each seat equipped with 78.7 cm pace, 43.7 cm width, a 4K OLED screen from 13.6″, two USB-C sockets And headrests adjustable in six directions.

These seats will be the same ones that will be installed aboard A321s, this will allow the company to have a uniform offering on both wide-body and narrow-body aircraft.

Riyadh Air, will it serve alcohol?

As is well known theSaudi Arabia is a Muslim nation where the sale and consumption of alcohol is prohibited. Saudia, the current flag carrier, is one of the Dry Airlines operating in the world. It was not said how Riyadh Air will perform, although an official photo attached to the presentation might give some indication.

In conclusion

The configuration chosen by Riyadh Air is the best we could have expected. No extravagance, not least because only the A380s and (perhaps) the 777x allow for doing things like The Residence or the like. The finishes are also not at all tacky, sure the texture reminiscent of black marble, the gold details and the abt jour, but at least in photos they look elegant.

Now all that remains is to know what the first routes will be, when there will be an official start to flight operations and, most important of all, whether it will join an alliance or remain independent.