Delta Air Lines launches nonstop service between Atlanta Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport (ATL) and King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh (RUH) on 23 October 2026, making it the first scheduled nonstop route operated by a US airline to Saudi Arabia.
The route had been in planning for several years, with Delta citing growing corporate and leisure demand between the US and the Kingdom as the commercial driver. Saudi Arabiaβs Vision 2030 tourism expansion and bilateral aviation agreements between the US and Saudi governments helped bring the route to fruition.
Route Details
- Departs Atlanta: 10:30 PM (DL318), arriving Riyadh 7:35 PM the following day
- Departs Riyadh: 11:30 PM (DL317), arriving Atlanta 7:05 AM the following day
- Flight time: 13 hours 5 minutes eastbound, 15 hours 35 minutes westbound
- Distance: approximately 7,283 miles
- Frequency: three times weekly
The route operates on a Delta Airbus A350-900 with 275 seats across four cabin classes: Delta One business class (40 seats), Delta Premium Select (40 seats), Delta Comfort+ and Delta Main Cabin (195 economy seats total).
Fares and Booking
Economy fares on the route are reported to start from around $921 return, though prices vary significantly by travel date and booking window. Business class fares reflect the long-haul premium positioning. Bookings are available directly through Delta and through the usual comparison tools.
For travellers flying from other US cities, Deltaβs Atlanta hub offers connections from across the continental US, meaning the Riyadh route effectively opens direct connectivity for most American cities with a single stop.
Why This Route Matters
Until now, US travellers flying to Saudi Arabia faced a mandatory stop in Europe or the Gulf, typically adding two to four hours to total journey times. Direct connectivity from a major US hub changes the practicalities considerably for business travellers and US-based diaspora communities.
Riyadh is the primary commercial and government hub of Saudi Arabia. For leisure visitors, it also serves as the gateway to attractions including the city itself, the Edge of the World escarpment, and historical sites to the north and south of the capital.
Saudi Arabia currently offers tourist visas on arrival or as an eVisa to citizens of 66 nationalities including the US. For a full overview of entry requirements and how to get around once you land, see our flights to Saudi Arabia guide.
Broader Saudi Aviation Context
The Delta launch coincides with a wider expansion of international service to Saudi Arabia in the final quarter of 2026. KLM is also resuming Amsterdam flights to Riyadh and Dammam from 25 October after a suspension that began in March 2026, and Saudia is deploying its new A321XLR on several European routes including Paris, Madrid, Barcelona, and Geneva from late October.
Saudi Arabia has set a target of 150 million tourist arrivals annually by 2030, and improving direct long-haul air access from North America is a stated priority within that strategy.