Riyadh Air has finally taken delivery of its first pair of new-build Boeing 787-9 Dreamliners , marking a major milestone for one of the most closely watched airline startups in the world. The two aircraft, registered HZ-RXAA and HZ-RXAB, left Boeing facilities in the US on June 4 and are heading for Riyadh, where they will become the first aircraft in the carrier’s own long-term operating fleet.

The moment is especially significant because delivery of both aircraft is months behind schedule due to Boeing manufacturing delays and further issues with cabin fittings. Riyadh Air has been using a leased 787-9 in the interim, but these are the first Dreamliners built for Riyadh Air itself, and their arrival comes just weeks before the airline opens its flights to the traveling public.

Boeing Delivers Two Dreamliners To Riyadh Air On The Same Day

Credit: Riyadh Air

Riyadh Air’s first delivered new-build aircraft is HZ-RXAA, a 787-9 with line number 1265. It departed Boeing’s Charleston facility in South Carolina at 1:30 PM local time, bound for Riyadh as RXI001. The second aircraft, HZ-RXAB, line number 1279, departed from Paine Field (PAE) in Washington about 90 minutes earlier. It is expected that the two aircraft will “meet up” over Europe before making a coordinated arrival into Riyadh Airport (RUH).

For Riyadh Air, the twin departures create a neat visual story: two purple Dreamliners leaving opposite sides of the United States and converging on Saudi Arabia’s capital. The airline will undoubtedly extract maximum publicity from their arrival, particularly because the 787-9 has been central to Riyadh Air’s launch plan since the very beginning. Riyadh Air CEO Tony Douglas shared how the aircraft will help “build” its network.

“Our new 787-9 airplanes will serve as the foundation for our worldwide operations, as we build the wider network and connect our guests to Saudi Arabia and many destinations around the world.”

Technically, these are not the first Dreamliners to wear Riyadh Air colors. The airline has already been using a leased 787-9 from Oman Air, registered HZ-RXX, for proving flights between Riyadh and London Heathrow Airport (LHR). Those flights, operating under Riyadh Air’s “Pathway to Perfect” program, have been limited to employees, family members, invited guests, and other stakeholders. But HZ-RXAA and HZ-RXAB now represent the start of the airline’s own fleet.

Two Delivered, Three More Already Built

Credit: Shutterstock

Riyadh Air’s 787-9 order was announced in March 2023, shortly after the airline itself was unveiled. The carrier placed an order for up to 72 Dreamliners, including 39 firm commitments and options for another 33. It was the airline’s first aircraft order and gave a clear signal that Riyadh Air intended to launch as a sizable global long-haul carrier.

Since then, the fleet plan has expanded considerably. Riyadh Air has ordered up to 60 Airbus A321neo family aircraft, giving it a future narrowbody platform for regional routes and thinner medium-haul markets. It has also ordered up to 50 A350-1000saircraft, including 25 firm and 25 options, which will eventually give the airline access to larger long-haul aircraft for higher-density missions.

But the road to delivery has not been straightforward. Boeing’s broader 787 production and certification issues, combined with the complexity of Riyadh Air’s cabin configuration and premium product, delayed the arrival of the first aircraft. That delay is why the timing of these deliveries stands out: HZ-RXAA first flew in December, while HZ-RXAB first flew in February, and both are only now being delivered after being completed and active for several months.

The next three aircraft to watch are HZ-RXAC, HZ-RXAD, and HZ-RXAE. HZ-RXAC has already completed multiple test flights, including customer acceptance testing, and is awaiting delivery. HZ-RXAD is also active in Boeing’s pre-delivery process, while HZ-RXAE only made its first flight in late May and is set to proceed with customer acceptance flights. If Riyadh Air is to scale quickly after the launch of its first publicly available route, those three aircraft will be crucial.

The First 787s Are Arriving As Public Flights Begin

Credit: Riyadh Air

Riyadh Air’s first route will be Riyadh to London Heathrow, with the first publicly available flight on July 1, giving travelers their first opportunity to purchase seats on the highly anticipated startup carrier. Bookings are already open through the airline’s official channels, with one-way economy class tickets starting at SAR 799 (about $220), and business class tickets starting at SAR 9,669 (about $2,575),

The first phase of Riyadh Air’s network is expected to include a mix of regional, domestic, and European markets. London is the flagship launch route, but the airline then expects to expand quickly to Jeddah Airport (JED), Dubai International Airport (DXB), and Cairo International Airport (CAI). These are then expected to be followed by European routes to Manchester and Madrid. This will give Riyadh Air a balanced network to start with: a major global business market, a key domestic trunk route, two important regional links, and two additional European destinations.

Beyond that, Riyadh Air is already looking across the Atlantic. The airline has applied to the US Department Of Transportation for authority to operate scheduled and charter flights between Saudi Arabia and the United States. It has not yet confirmed its first US destinations, but given that the airline has formed a partnership with Delta Air Lines, we can expect to see destinations such as John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) and Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL) added to the route map.

For now, the immediate milestone is simpler but no less important. Riyadh Air finally has its first two new-build aircraft on the way home. After months of delays, testing, and operating with a leased Dreamliner, the airline is about to enter its next phase with its own 787-9s. With public flights set to begin within weeks, HZ-RXAA and HZ-RXAB are arriving just in time to mark a historic moment for Saudi Arabia’s newest airline.