Ahead of its highly anticipated launch this year, Saudi Arabia’s new digitally-native airline, Riyadh Air, has provided a glimpse into the cabin interiors of its Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner fleet. With refined aesthetics, smart design, and cutting-edge technology, the airline aims to be more than just another carrier and redefine the flying experience.
As one of the most exciting new regional airline launches in recent memory, Riyadh Air has moved away from a cookie-cutter approach to cabin design. Instead, it embraces its Saudi roots while delivering a product that resonates globally. The introduction of its cabin interiors showcases a sophisticated, technology-driven approach, ensuring a premium feel across all classes that guarantees comfort, style, and advanced technology for all passengers.
Detailed cabin layout and features
The 290-seat Dreamliner features four distinct cabin zones: Business Elite, Business, Premium Economy, and Economy. Each area is designed with a consistent brand aesthetic and high-quality finishes, offering unique features:
Business Elite
This class includes four exclusive seats in a 1-2-1 layout, featuring 52-inch-high privacy walls, sliding doors, and 78-inch lie-flat beds. The center seats can be converted into a double bed. Each seat is equipped with a 32-inch 4K OLED screen — the largest in any Business Class — along with integrated Devialet headrest speakers for an immersive audio experience.
Business Class
Featuring 24 seats in a similar 1-2-1 flat-bed layout, this class includes 22-inch screens and the same high walls and premium upholstery. These seats also offer multiple charging options, including A/C, USB-A, and USB-C ports.
Premium Economy
Comprising 39 seats in a 2-3-2 configuration, this class offers a 38-inch pitch, privacy headwings, calf rests, and 15.6-inch screens. Upholstered in rich fabrics and accented with Mocha Gold, these seats provide elevated comfort.
Economy Class
With 223 seats arranged in a 3-3-3 configuration, this class features a 31-inch pitch and 13.3-inch 4K OLED screens. The seats include six-way adjustable headrests and dual USB-C ports, all designed with ergonomic materials for long-haul comfort. The calming lavender tones aim to create a soothing visual identity.
Cultural inspiration and design aesthetics
All classes are designed to evoke an environment inspired by traditional Arabian tents, reimagined with a contemporary twist through a signature canopy design throughout the aircraft. This approach blends cultural storytelling with functional beauty, enhancing the overall aesthetic.
Comfort and technology integration
In every cabin, ergonomic foam cushioning, residential-inspired fabrics, and layered lighting contribute to what Riyadh Air describes as “deep, restorative comfort.” The lighting scheme adapts to passengers’ natural rhythms, while the airline will be the first to introduce Panasonic Avionics’ fully integrated in-flight engagement (IFE) interactive design and publishing tool – Modular Interactive (MI).
Enhanced onboard experience
Onboard, Riyadh Air loyalty members will enjoy Viasat’s free streaming, social media access, web browsing, and gaming features, available from gate to gate (where permitted). Customers who enroll in the airline’s loyalty program will receive complimentary Wi-Fi, while Viasat’s network will enable Live TV on the seatback screens, offering a variety of news and sports channels.
Additionally, the airline has partnered with Devialet, a renowned French acoustical engineering company, to integrate its signature acoustic technology directly into Business Elite and Business Class headrests. This collaboration will deliver immersive, high-fidelity sound without the need for headphones.
Read more: Riyadh Air reveals sonic brand ‘Sound of a New Era’ ahead of 2025 launch
Commitment to customer experience
Speaking on the unveiling, Tony Douglas, CEO of Riyadh Air, stated: “Riyadh Air has always promised to deliver a world-class experience for our guests, and the unveiling of our cabin interiors makes this ambition a reality. The design, layout, and features of our new cabins are carefully crafted to ensure flights are as comfortable and enjoyable as possible. From the ergonomic and luxurious fabrics in the seats to the high-end technology used in the entertainment systems, every facet of the cabins has been chosen to deliver relaxing luxury.”
Future plans and inaugural routes
The airline has already taken delivery of its first aircraft and received its Air Operator Certificate (AOC), indicating that it is on track to announce its inaugural routes and flight schedule in the coming months. Riyadh Air aims to connect Saudi Arabia to over 100 destinations by 2030, supporting the Kingdom’s broader Vision 2030 goals.
