Riyadh Air weighs firm order for 25-30 more Boeing 787s

Riyadh Air is considering placing an order for as many as 30 additional Boeing 787 Dreamliners as the Saudi startup airline begins expanding beyond its small launch fleet.

The airline is studying an order for between 25 and 30 aircraft, according to industry sources cited by Reuters. An announcement could come as early as the Farnborough International Airshow, which begins July 20, 2026, although the sources cautioned that discussions were continuing. Riyadh Air and Boeing did not comment on the report.

The potential deal would involve converting most of Riyadh Air’s existing options rather than placing an entirely new order.

Riyadh Air agreed in 2023 to buy 39 Boeing 787-9s, with options for another 33 aircraft. Exercising 25 to 30 of those options would lift its firm Dreamliner commitment to between 64 and 69 aircraft, while leaving as many as eight options unconverted.

The airline began revenue service in June 2026, launching its first flight to London Heathrow with a Boeing 787-9. Chief Executive Tony Douglas said at the time that deliveries would grow the fleet to eight aircraft by the end of July and allow Riyadh Air to serve 22 destinations by March 2027.

Riyadh Air is owned by Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund and was established in 2023 as the kingdom’s second national airline alongside Saudia. It plans to serve more than 100 destinations by 2030 as Saudi Arabia invests heavily in aviation and tourism.

The airline has also built a large Airbus order book. Riyadh Air ordered 60 Airbus A321neo-family aircraft in 2024 and signed a firm agreement for 25 A350-1000 widebody jets at the Paris Air Show in June 2025. That agreement included options for another 25 A350-1000s.

Reuters reported that Riyadh Air is also considering converting some of those Airbus purchase rights into firm orders, although no figure was disclosed.

The carrier currently lists a planned fleet of as many as 182 aircraft, including firm orders and purchase options for the Boeing 787-9 and Airbus A350-1000 and A321neo.

Riyadh Air has configured its 787-9s with 290 seats across business, premium economy and economy cabins. The aircraft will form the backbone of its initial long-haul operation, while the larger A350-1000 will add capacity as the airline expands its international network.The post Riyadh Air weighs firm order for 25-30 more Boeing 787s appeared first on AeroTime.

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