Riyadh Air Unveils Third Boeing 787 Dreamliner Production Milestone

Riyadh Air has achieved a significant milestone with the completion of its third Boeing 787 Dreamliner, marking a pivotal moment as the airline gears up for its inaugural commercial flights.

Recently, Riyadh Air shared a collection of images showcasing its new 787 Dreamliner outside the Boeing production facility, with the aircraft still awaiting its official livery. The tail section proudly displayed the airline’s colors, while the sleek, all-white fuselage was in need of branding.

In a social media update, Riyadh Air mentioned, “A new step toward our fleet’s readiness. Our third 787 Dreamliner aircraft rolls off the production line.” Alongside this development, the airline confirmed that its first aircraft is close to final certification, with the second one following closely behind.

Riyadh Air’s ambitious plans include an order of 60 Airbus A321neo, 25 A350-1000, and 39 787-9 Dreamliner aircraft. The airline anticipates the first deliveries before the year ends, with hopes to launch commercial flights in early 2026 after completing its maiden passenger journey on October 25, 2025.

This initial flight took off from Riyadh King Khalid International Airport (RUH) to London-Heathrow Airport (LHR). On board were employees from Riyadh Air and officials from the Public Investment Fund (PIF), which is Saudi Arabia’s sovereign wealth fund.

To enhance its fleet from the outset, Riyadh Air has also entered into a leasing agreement with Saudi-owned Avi Lease for an additional Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner.

خطوة جديدة نحو جاهزية أسطولنا ✈
طائرتنا الثالثة من طراز 787 دريملاينر تخرج من خط الإنتاج، في وقت تقترب فيه طائرتنا الأولى من مراحل الاعتماد النهائية لتتبعها طائرتنا الثانية قريبًا ضمن خطتنا لبناء أسطول مصمّم ليتماشى مع العصر الجديد للسفر. pic.twitter.com/OJHTrZAv8V

— Riyadh Air (@RiyadhAir) December 14, 2025

In another significant development, on December 15, 2025, Riyadh Air finalized a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Huawei to create a cutting-edge digital ecosystem for the airline. Huawei will leverage its strengths in cloud, AI, and integrated digital services to support Riyadh Air’s wide-reaching digital transformation.

Vincent Coste, the Chief Commercial Officer of Riyadh Air, emphasized the importance of the Chinese market, stating, “China market is an important part of Riyadh Air’s global expansion and essential to Saudi Arabia’s tourism growth.” This partnership aims to enhance the travel experience, ensuring a smooth and tailored journey for Chinese tourists, aligning with the Kingdom’s target of attracting 150 million visitors by 2030.

What are your thoughts on the advancements of Riyadh Air and its impact on travel?