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2mo ago

Riyadh Air Takes Delivery of First Two Boeing 787‑9 Dreamliners

The arrivals clear a key hurdle for the carrier’s public launch, paving the way for scheduled Riyadh–London services next month.

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Riyadh Air’s first two 787 Dreamliners arrive in Riyadh. (Photo: Riyadh Air)
The first liveried Riyadh Air Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner is unveiled during a ceremony at the King Khaled International Airport in Riyadh, on June 12, 2023.
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Overview

  • The two brand‑new 787‑9s (registrations HZ‑RXAA and HZ‑RXAB) landed at Riyadh King Khalid International Airport after a coordinated arrival on Friday, June 5, 2026.
  • The jets left the United States following a formal handing‑over ceremony at Boeing’s Charleston factory on June 3, 2026, attended by PIF Governor Yasser Al‑Rumayyan and Riyadh Air CEO Tony Douglas.
  • Riyadh Air opened public bookings on May 19 for flights between Riyadh and London‑Heathrow set to begin July 1, 2026, and one of the new 787s is expected to operate that service.
  • Before these deliveries the carrier used a leased ex‑Oman Air 787 (HZ‑RXX) for certification, crew training and limited Heathrow flights to preserve slots under use‑it‑or‑lose‑it rules.
  • The new Dreamliners fit Riyadh Air’s long‑term plan of up to 72 787‑9s and a 290‑seat, four‑class cabin, and Boeing and the airline say the fleet is central to Saudi Arabia’s push to grow routes and visitors toward its 2030 targets.