Exciting News: Riyadh Air’s First Flight to London Heathrow on October 26 – With a Thoughtful Start
Assalamu Alaikum! Riyadh Air is gearing up for its very first flight on October 26, flying from Riyadh to London Heathrow using a leased Boeing 787. But there’s a bit of a unique approach to launching this new airline.
The inaugural flight will carry passengers who are employees of Riyadh Air and its owner, the Public Investment Fund (PIF), through a special “launch membership” program. This was shared by Tony Douglas, the airline’s CEO. The Riyadh to Heathrow route is set to be a daily service starting just in time for the northern hemisphere’s winter season.
However, tickets won’t be available to the general public until the airline receives its first two Boeing 787 Dreamliners from the US manufacturer, which is expected a few weeks after the October 26 flight. In the meantime, the “launch members” will fly on Riyadh Air’s technical spare plane, named Jamila. Staff and their families can purchase tickets through the loyalty program called Sfeer, and their feedback will help improve the customer experience.
Tony Douglas explained that starting an airline from scratch means they need to test every detail thoroughly. They want to make sure everything works smoothly before offering tickets to the public. This cautious approach helps avoid surprises, like delays in plane deliveries, and ensures the highest quality service from day one.
Riyadh Air was founded in March 2023 as part of Saudi Arabia’s vision to become a hub for aviation and tourism, aiming to diversify the economy beyond oil. The airline has already caught attention with aircraft orders, crew uniform reveals, and cabin interior designs.
Delivery delays with Boeing have pushed back the launch to later this year. Riyadh Air is committed to only operating its new planes from the start, avoiding older or leased aircraft for their debut.
The first Boeing 787-9 has just finished painting in Charleston, South Carolina, complete with customized seats and interiors. The second plane is in the final assembly stage and should be ready soon. Once these aircraft arrive, Riyadh Air will begin ticket sales to the public and start flights to Dubai International Airport. Initially, the new planes will fly to London Heathrow and Dubai, with Jamila serving as the backup plane.
Tony Douglas emphasized that the airline wants to offer a top-notch experience right from booking to the airport lounge, which is why they’re taking the time to test everything carefully. The loyalty program Sfeer will open for public enrollment on October 8, allowing people to become “founding members” and enjoy benefits, though flight bookings won’t start immediately.
Other airlines already serving Riyadh to London include British Airways, Saudia, and Virgin Atlantic. Industry experts say Riyadh Air’s soft launch is a smart move to train staff and fine-tune operations without public pressure, though it means delaying revenue and facing strong competition once fully launched.
Riyadh Air has big plans, aiming to grow to 100 routes over the next five years with a fleet of 182 planes on order from Boeing and Airbus. The team expects to expand its workforce from 600 to 15,000 by 2030.
The airline’s mission is to improve Riyadh’s global connectivity and eventually become a major transfer hub, similar to Emirates or Qatar Airways. Riyadh Air has already made agreements with 10 international airlines to offer onward connections.
When the Airbus A321 Neo planes start arriving, the airline will also begin short-haul and domestic flights. They plan to receive about one new aircraft per month from Boeing over the coming year.
The loyalty program Sfeer means “Ambassador” in Arabic and also plays on the English word “sphere.” Only Sfeer members will be able to book the first flights, and enrollment opens October 8.
This new chapter in Saudi aviation is something to look forward to, Insha’Allah, as Riyadh Air takes careful steps to provide a safe, reliable, and pleasant travel experience for everyone.
https://www.thenationalnews.co