Saudi Arabia’s new national carrier, Riyadh Air, completed its inaugural passenger flight on Sunday, October 26, 2025, landing at London’s Heathrow Airport and officially marking its entry into global aviation.
The maiden service, designated Flight RX401, departed Riyadh’s King Khalid International Airport at 3:26 a.m. local time and touched down in London six hours and 48 minutes later. Operated by a Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner named Jamila — meaning “beautiful” in Arabic — the flight carried employees of Riyadh Air, representatives of the Public Investment Fund (PIF), and invited partners. For the initial phase, flights are limited to company insiders and select guests as the airline fine-tunes operations.
Riyadh Air, launched in March 2023 and fully owned by the PIF, is a central pillar of Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 strategy, which aims to diversify the economy and establish the Kingdom as a global transport hub. The airline has announced plans to serve over 100 destinations by 2030, with Dubai expected to be its next route. Daily services between Riyadh and London are now scheduled, signaling the start of its ambitious expansion.
Chief Executive Tony Douglas, formerly of Etihad Airways, described the inaugural flight as “a proud moment for the Kingdom and a first step toward building a world-class airline that will connect Saudi Arabia to the world.”
Industry analysts note that Riyadh Air’s entry intensifies competition in the Gulf aviation market, traditionally dominated by Emirates, Qatar Airways, and Etihad. With significant financial backing and a focus on digital-first, sustainability-driven operations, the airline is positioning itself as a disruptive force in long-haul travel.
The debut flight also carries symbolic weight, showcasing Saudi Arabia’s determination to expand its aviation footprint and strengthen global connectivity. As Riyadh Air scales up, its performance will be closely watched as a test of the Kingdom’s broader economic transformation agenda.
Sources: AeroTime; Al Arabiya English; The Peninsula Qatar; Zawya.
