Riyadh Air to Start Invite-Only London Flights Ahead of 2026 Launch
Photo Credit: Riyadh Air CEO Tony Douglas speaking on October 8, 2025. Riyadh Air
Skift Take
Cynics may see this as a box-ticking exercise to retain Heathrow slots and claim a technical 2025 launch, but Riyadh Air insists it is a phased strategy to ensure a smoother commercial debut.
Riyadh Air has confirmed the start date for its first passenger flights, with a daily service from the Saudi capital to London Heathrow beginning October 26.
While the long-anticipated launch marks a major milestone, the services will initially be restricted to staff and invited guests. It forms part of a tightly choreographed operational readiness phase dubbed the “Pathway to Perfect.”
The London flights will mark Riyadh Air’s first scheduled operation, confirming earlier reporting by Skift that the carrier had secured slots at Heathrow for the winter season.
The airline’s first route will operate with a Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner, a technical spare aircraft be
