Tag Archives for riyadh air.
Riyadh Air is being pitched as Saudi Arabia’s new premium global airline, but it can’t serve alcohol because Saudi law still prohibits it. What most people miss is why that rule exists: it wasn’t imposed for religious reasons so much as triggered by a royal family scandal after a drunk prince shot and killed a British diplomat .
In an awkward CNN interview, Delta’s Ed Bastian struggled to justify partnering with a state-funded Saudi airline after years attacking Gulf subsidies — a verbal pretzel that shows how far Delta’s principles have bent.
Riyadh Air has launched Sfeer, its new frequent flyer program — and it starts with flights reserved for members. Founding participants get early booking access, free Wi-Fi, and the ability to share miles, status, and lounge benefits with family and friends.
New premium Gulf airline Riyadh Air, which launches later this year, has revealed the cabin product for its Boeing 787 aircraft. They frame the product choice and cabin interior design as “setting new levels of comfort and entertainment.”
Delta Air Lines and Riyadh Air, which launches next year, have signed a partnership agreement “to expand connectivity and premium travel options across North America, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and beyond.” This will enable Delta to launch service to Riyadh (!).
When Riyadh Air was first announced, I was very skeptical of a brand new airline in the Gulf. It would compete for low yield connecting traffic with Emirates, Qatar, and Etihad. And the Saudi Arabian government already had a global airline with a hub in Riyadh – and Jeddah – in Saudi. Why give it competition?
I’ve written that their strategy confuses me, but to be honest it doesn’t confuse me anymore.
Saudi Arabia announced a new airline last year, Riyadh Air. They placed an order for up to Boeing 787-9 jets for it back in March. They won’t be flying until 2025. There’s no way for a customer to buy a ticket, or even join a frequent flyer program. But they’re already sponsoring European football, inking a partnership with Spain’s Atlético de Madrid.
Saudi Arabia has a national airline, Saudia. It’s government-owned. But the government doesn’t like it, or something? Because they’re starting a new government airline, Riyadh Air, and they’re sharing details publicly.
Riyadh Air plans to fly to 100 destinations b 2030, and are about to place a major order, possibly for 100 Boeing widebody aircraft. The former CEO of Etihad, Tony Douglas, will run the airline. His experience is in dismantling state carrier excess, not lighting money on fire for its own sake.
Gary Leff is one of the foremost experts in the field of miles, points, and frequent business travel -- a topic he has covered since 2002.
Co-founder of frequent flyer community InsideFlyer.com, emcee of the Freddie Awards, and named one of the "World's Top Travel Experts" by Conde' Nast Traveler (2010-Present) Gary has been a guest on most major news media, profiled in several top print publications, and published broadly on the topic of consumer loyalty. More About Gary »
