Riyadh Air makes London debut with first new Boeing 787

New airline Riyadh Air has landed in London for the first time using its own aircraft.

The maiden flight to Heathrow from the Saudi capital was brought forward from July 1 and operated by a new Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner delivered just five days earlier.

The carrier is now running a daily service on the route before adding Manchester flights in July.

Riyadh Air has been operating daily flights between Riyadh and Heathrow since October under an operational readiness scheme to ensure all systems were fully optimised ahead of the first commercial flight by the newly-delivered Dreamliner in a four-class configuration.

The airline’s first two 787s arrived in Riyadh on June 5, followed by a third on June 7 – with the delivery schedule of more aircraft continuing to help reach a target of connecting Saudi Arabia to 100 destinations by 2030.

Chief executive Tony Douglas said: “This is the birth of the world’s newest airline and the celebration of another major milestone in Riyadh Air’s evolution into a world-class, global carrier.

“The departure of our first commercial flight on our brand-new Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner – just five days after its arrival in Riyadh – is the culmination of immense dedication from our team and partners.

“This daily service not only delivers a new standard of luxury and guest comfort, but it also brings vital new connectivity for passengers traveling from the UK onward to key destinations around the world.”

He added: “With our aircraft deliveries progressing at such an accelerated pace, we are thrilled to have been able to bring forward this first London flight on the new aircraft from its original schedule of July 1.”

Heathrow chief customer officer Ross Baker said: "Welcoming Riyadh Air’s first commercial flight is a landmark moment for us and we’re delighted they’ve chosen the UK’s hub, with our aligned vision of delivering world-class service, as the place to launch this route.

“Our partnership together will unlock greater access not only the Middle East but to destinations across Asia and further afield."