Riyadh Air Orders 25 Airbus A350-1000s As Flagship Aircraft

As has been rumored in recent weeks, airline startup Riyadh Air has just placed a significant aircraft order, for what will ultimately be the carrier’s flagship aircraft.

Riyadh Air chooses Airbus A350 over Boeing 777X

Airline startup Riyadh Air is expected to launch operations in late 2025, as Saudi Arabia’s ambitious new carrier, connecting Riyadh (RUH) to the world. The company has huge growth plans, and prior to today, has ordered up to 72 Boeing 787-9s, and up to 60 Airbus A321neos.

We’ve known that the airline planned to order another wide body aircraft, and until recently, the airline was reportedly deciding between the Airbus A350 and Boeing 777X. That decision has now been made, and has been announced at the Paris Air Show, which launched today.

Riyadh Air has placed an order for 25 Airbus A350-1000s. It sounds like the airline may eventually order up to 50 of these — however, it’s not being described as options for 25 more jets, but instead the order “can potentially increase to 50,” as Airbus describes it.

The A350-1000 is one of the most in demand wide body jets, given its long range, high capacity, and great unit costs. It’s the larger of the two existing A350 variants. It’s not yet clear when these planes will be delivered, though one certainly wonders, given the demand for this jet.

It’s not surprising to see Riyadh Air select the A350, given that the 777X hasn’t even been certified yet, and is six years behind schedule. So going with the 777X seems like a bit of a gamble. Then again, once it’s actually flying, it should be a pretty great aircraft.

The A350 will be Riyadh Air’s flagship aircraft

While Riyadh Air will be launching operations with the Boeing 787, the long term plan is for the Airbus A350 to be the carrier’s flagship aircraft. That’s to say that eventually (who knows when), the A350 will operate from Riyadh to the carrier’s most important markets.

For example, Riyadh Air has recently unveiled its planned Boeing 787s cabins, and they look great. However, the airline opted not to offer first class on these jets, though does plan to offer first class on its upcoming flagship aircraft (the A350).

Riyadh Air has made a lot of promises about its passenger experience, and I look forward to seeing what kind of an experience the airline is actually able to deliver. It’s certainly one of the most well funded and thoughtful airline startups we’ve seen in a long time.

Bottom line

Riyadh Air is has placed an order for 25 Airbus A350-1000s, and that could be increased to 50 jets in the future. Prior to this, Riyadh Air had ordered the Boeing 787-9 and Airbus A321neo. The new A350-1000 will be Riyadh Air’s flagship aircraft, and this order beat out the Boeing 777-9.

What do you make of Riyadh Air’s Airbus A350-1000 order?