Riyadh Air’s 787 Premium Economy:
A First Look at Saudi Arabia’s New Luxury Cabin

Saudi Arabia’s ambitious new airline, Riyadh Air, is set to redefine mid-tier travel with its Boeing 787 Premium Economy cabin—blending business-class comforts with economy pricing. As the carrier prepares for its 2025 launch, we’ve got exclusive details on what flyers can expect from this game-changing product.

In this insider’s guide, we reveal:
✅ First official renders & seat specs
✅ How it compares to Emirates, Qatar & Singapore Airlines
✅ Expected routes & launch dates
✅ Why this could be the best-value premium economy in the sky

Riyadh Air 787 Premium Economy: Seat Details & First Look

The Hardware: A Next-Gen Design

Riyadh Air’s Premium Economy (branded as "Sky Class") features:
✈ 21-inch wide seats (wider than Qatar’s 19.5")
✈ 38-inch pitch (more legroom than Emirates’ 36")
✈ 13.3" 4K touchscreens with Bluetooth audio
✈ Wireless charging + USB-C ports
✈ Deep recline with calf rests & adjustable headwings

Early Verdict: This looks closer to regional business class than traditional premium economy.

The Soft Product: Gourmet Dining & Amenities

While full menus aren’t yet released, insiders confirm:
🍽️ Dine-on-demand (no fixed meal times)
🍷 Premium Saudi wines & non-alcoholic cocktails
🎁 Diptyque amenity kits (unprecedented for premium economy)

How It Stacks Up: Riyadh Air vs. Competitors

AirlineSeat WidthPitchScreen SizeStandout PerkRiyadh Air | 21" | 38" | 13.3" | Wireless charging
Qatar Airways | 19.5" | 38" | 13.3" | Champagne service
Singapore Airlines | 19.5" | 38" | 12.1" | Book-the-Cook meals
Emirates | 19.5" | 36" | 13.3" | Premium bar access

Key Advantage: Riyadh Air’s extra seat width could make it the most comfortable option for broad-shouldered travelers.

Expected Routes & Launch Strategy

Riyadh Air will debut its 787s in Q2 2025, with Premium Economy available on:
🌍 London Heathrow (first European route)
🌏 Singapore (testing Southeast Asian demand)
🌎 New York JFK (strategic U.S. entry point)

Long-Term Plan: The airline has 72 Boeing 787s on order, with Premium Economy expected to occupy 20% of cabins—hinting at a focus on this lucrative market segment.

Why This Could Disrupt Premium Economy Travel

1️⃣ Saudi Arabia’s Deep Pockets – With sovereign wealth fund backing, Riyadh Air can afford to overdeliver on amenities.
2️⃣ Tourism Push – As Saudi targets 100M visitors annually by 2030, the airline will be a key ambassador.
3️⃣ Business Travel Appeal – The seat’s near-business-class specs could lure corporate flyers away from legacy carriers.

How to Book & What It’ll Cost

Early adopters can expect:
💰 Intro fares ~30% cheaper than competitors (likely ~$1,200 roundtrip to London)
🎫 Priority access for Saudi loyalty program members

Pro Tip: Sign up for alerts at Riyadh Air’s official site (launching late 2024).

The Bottom Line

Riyadh Air isn’t just entering the market—it’s rewriting the premium economy playbook. If the execution matches the renders, this could become the new benchmark for mid-cabin luxury.

Would you fly Riyadh Air’s Premium Economy? Vote below!
✅ Yes—looks better than business class on some airlines!
❌ No—I’ll wait for reviews first.