Riyadh Air Launches Daily Riyadh–Dubai Flights from 18 June
Saudi Arabia’s newest carrier is expanding its network with daily service between Riyadh and Dubai, opening ticket sales this week ahead of its 18 June 2026 launch. Riyadh Air will operate the route on Boeing 787-9 Dreamliners configured across four cabin classes: Business Elite, Business, Premium Economy, and Economy.
The airline was established as part of Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 programme to diversify the national economy and develop the country as an international aviation hub. The Dubai route is among its earliest international services, operating between King Khalid International Airport and Dubai International Airport on a daily basis in each direction.
Flight details and fares
The Riyadh-to-Dubai service (RX0243) departs Riyadh at 14:05 and arrives in Dubai at 17:00. The return service (RX0244) departs Dubai at 18:30 and arrives in Riyadh at 19:20 local time. Economy return fares start from SAR 1,108, equivalent to approximately $295, though promotional pricing has been available at launch.
Business Elite and Business cabins feature fully flat-bed seats in a 1-2-1 layout. Premium Economy offers expanded pitch and privacy screens. For travellers combining a Saudi Arabia stay with a UAE leg, the Riyadh Air product gives a new premium option alongside the established Saudia and flydubai services on the same corridor.
For travellers visiting Saudi Arabia
Flights to Saudi Arabia continue to expand from Europe, North America, and Asia, with Riyadh’s King Khalid International Airport serving as the primary hub. The airport is connected to the city centre by the Riyadh Metro, with Line 3 (the Blue Line) providing a direct transit link to the Al Batha interchange.
Visitors entering Saudi Arabia need to check visa requirements before travel. Citizens of 66 nationalities are eligible for the Saudi tourist e-visa, valid for one year with multiple entries and up to 90 days per stay. The e-visa can be applied for online at evisa.visitsaudi.com and is typically approved within 24 hours.
The launch of Riyadh Air’s Dubai service adds an additional layer of regional flexibility for travellers building multi-city itineraries across the Gulf — particularly those combining Saudi cultural sites such as AlUla or Jeddah’s Al-Balad historic district with time in the UAE.
Riyadh Air: where the airline stands in 2026
Riyadh Air was announced in March 2023 as a second Saudi national carrier backed by the Public Investment Fund (PIF). It is positioned as a premium international carrier — the branding and cabin product are designed to compete directly with Gulf rivals Qatar Airways and Emirates rather than with budget carriers. The airline has taken a phased approach to growth, launching routes methodically rather than simultaneously flooding the schedule.
The Boeing 787-9 is Riyadh Air’s primary launch aircraft. The Dreamliner’s composite construction offers passengers better cabin pressure (equivalent to 6,000 feet rather than the 8,000 feet of older aluminium aircraft) and higher humidity, which meaningfully reduces the fatigue typically associated with long-haul flights. Future fleet deliveries are expected to include the Airbus A321neo family for shorter regional routes, though timing is subject to change.
The Riyadh–Dubai corridor in context
The roughly 840-kilometre Riyadh–Dubai route is one of the busiest in the Gulf region, with strong demand from both business travellers and tourists moving between the two cities. Before Riyadh Air’s entry, the route was served primarily by Saudia and flydubai, with limited options in premium cabins on direct services. Riyadh Air’s four-cabin configuration — particularly the Business Elite lie-flat product — fills a gap for business travellers who previously had to route through other hubs to access a flat-bed seat on this corridor.
Multi-city Gulf itinerary planning
A Saudi Arabia–UAE itinerary is increasingly popular among first-time visitors to the region. A practical structure: fly into Riyadh for Diriyah and the Riyadh city circuit, connect via Riyadh Air or Saudia to Jeddah for Al-Balad and the Red Sea, then close the trip in Dubai or Abu Dhabi before flying home on a long-haul connection. The Riyadh–Dubai segment on Riyadh Air fits cleanly into this pattern, with the 14:05 departure giving a full morning in Riyadh before the afternoon flight to Dubai.