Saudi Arabia's Riyadh Air Launches Daily Direct Flights Between London Heathrow and Riyadh from July 2026

From London Heathrow to Riyadh every day, Riyadh Air opens public ticket sales for its new daily direct flights to Saudi Arabia, launching on 1 July 2026.

Saudi Arabia's newest airline, Riyadh Air, has announced the opening of full public ticket sales for its daily service between London Heathrow and Riyadh's King Khalid International Airport, with commercial flights set to begin on 1 July 2026. The service will operate exclusively on the airline's brand-new Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner aircraft, bringing a modern and premium travel experience to UK passengers flying to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

The announcement marks a significant moment for both the airline and British travellers, introducing a fresh and competitive option on a route that continues to grow in commercial and cultural importance between the United Kingdom and Saudi Arabia.​​​​​​​

Riyadh Air is no stranger to the London route. The airline has been operating daily flights between Riyadh and London Heathrow Terminal 4 since October 2025, running an internal operational readiness programme that allowed it to test systems, train flight crews, and fine-tune its service ahead of the full public launch. That preparatory phase now draws to a close, with the airline's own Boeing 787-9 Dreamliners stepping in to take full operational responsibility from 1 July onwards.

Tickets are now available to book through the Riyadh Air website, the airline's mobile app, and approved travel partners, including UK-based travel agencies.​​​​​​​

Riyadh Air's Boeing 787-9 is configured across four distinct classes — Business Elite, Business, Premium Economy, and Economy — making the service suitable for a wide range of travellers, from corporate flyers to holidaymakers.

Business Elite and Business Class both feature fully flat-bed seating in a 1-2-1 layout, offering direct aisle access for every passenger, large personal entertainment screens, premium audio, and a high level of privacy throughout the flight. It is a strong product aimed squarely at competing with the best business class offerings in the region.

Premium Economy provides a comfortable step up from the standard cabin, with wider seating, additional storage, enhanced privacy features, and extra charging points — ideal for those seeking more comfort without the full business class price tag.

Economy Class has also been thoughtfully designed, featuring adjustable headrests, personal entertainment screens, and USB charging points at every seat. Riyadh Air has made it clear that the quality of its economy product is not an afterthought, with consistent standards of design and technology running throughout the entire aircraft.​​​​​​​

The arrival of Riyadh Air on the London Heathrow to Riyadh route is a welcome development for British passengers, bringing greater airline choice, more competitive fares, and an improved standard of service on this growing corridor.

Saudi Arabia is also increasingly capturing the attention of UK holidaymakers, with world-class destinations such as the ancient ruins of AlUla, the Red Sea coastline, and the vibrant cultural scene of Riyadh all now within reach on a direct overnight flight from London.

To book your seats on Riyadh Air's new daily London Heathrow to Riyadh service, get in touch with the Crystal Travel team today — your trusted UK travel partner for flights to Saudi Arabia.