Riyadh Air expands Boeing Dreamliner fleet with 28 more 787 jets
Saudi airline targets more than 100 international destinations by 2030
DUBAI – Riyadh Air has strengthened its long-term growth strategy by committing to purchase 28 additional Boeing 787 Dreamliner aircraft, marking another major step towards its ambition of connecting Saudi Arabia with more than 100 destinations worldwide by 2030.
The agreement also introduces the larger Boeing 787-10 into the airline's future fleet, expanding both passenger capacity and operational flexibility.
The latest announcement builds on the carrier's rapid expansion following the launch of its commercial operations, during which it has already taken delivery of six Boeing 787-9 aircraft and begun serving six cities.
Fleet growth
The agreement sees Riyadh Air exercising options for 28 Boeing 787 Dreamliners that formed part of its original 2023 order. As part of the deal, the airline will also convert 20 of those options into the larger 787-10 variant, giving it greater capacity to meet increasing passenger and cargo demand.
The announcement also revealed a previously undisclosed purchase of 11 Dreamliner aircraft. Once the remaining 17 aircraft are finalised, Riyadh Air's firm order book will rise to 67 Boeing 787 Dreamliners, significantly expanding one of the region's newest widebody fleets.
Tony Douglas, Chief Executive Officer of Riyadh Air, described the latest commitment as another important milestone in the airline's journey towards serving more than 100 international destinations by the end of the decade, supporting the Kingdom's Vision 2030 objectives.
He said passengers had responded positively to the onboard experience offered by the airline's existing fleet of six Boeing 787 aircraft since the launch of full operations. According to Douglas, the addition of the 787-10 will strengthen the airline's ability to accommodate growing passenger numbers and cargo volumes while providing the operational flexibility needed to support its ambitious network expansion.
Operational benefits
Operating both the Boeing 787-9 and the larger 787-10 will allow Riyadh Air to benefit from extensive fleet commonality. The aircraft share flight deck systems, maintenance procedures and pilot training, helping the airline improve operational efficiency while maintaining a consistent premium experience across its network.
Passengers travelling on the Dreamliner family also benefit from several comfort-focused features, including the largest windows available on any commercial aircraft, higher cabin humidity, lower cabin altitude pressurisation and advanced turbulence-sensing technology designed to create a smoother journey.
Stephanie Pope, President and Chief Executive Officer of Boeing Commercial Airplanes, said Boeing was delighted to see Riyadh Air's new 787 aircraft already operating in commercial service and honoured that the airline had chosen to expand its Dreamliner fleet.
She added that the Boeing 787-10 would complement the airline's growing fleet while supporting its ambition of becoming a world-class carrier focused on delivering an exceptional passenger experience.
Vision 2030
The Boeing 787-10, the largest member of the Dreamliner family, offers around 50 more seats than the 787-9 while reducing fuel consumption and emissions by 25 percent compared with the aircraft it replaces. The addition reflects Riyadh Air's commitment to operating one of the world's most modern, efficient and sustainable fleets.
The expanded fleet is expected to provide the capacity needed for Riyadh to strengthen its position as a globally connected G20 capital city while supporting Saudi Vision 2030.
Wholly owned by Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund (PIF), Riyadh Air is positioned as a key driver of the Kingdom's economic diversification strategy. By expanding its international network, the airline expects to generate more than 200,000 direct and indirect jobs and contribute over $20 billion (SAR 75 billion) to Saudi Arabia's non-oil GDP by 2030.