Riyadh Air begins London flights October 26: routes, deals and planning tips

Riyadh Air confirmed a staged start to its London service: daily launch flights between Riyadh (RUH) and London Heathrow (LHR) will begin on 26 October 2025 as part of an inaugural/operational validation phase. The airline will operate a technical‑spare Boeing 787‑9 nicknamed ‘Jamila’ while it awaits the delivery of its new fleet, and initial seats are reserved for select groups under the new Sfeer loyalty roll‑out.

This article outlines the launch schedule, aircraft and seat notes, booking rules and loyalty access, the Heathrow slot and terminal picture, practical travel tips (visas, transfers and connections), plus what travellers and observers should watch next. If you are tracking Riyadh Air London flights, read on for what to expect and how to prepare.

Launch details: dates, schedule and the operational phase

The inaugural phase is officially set for 26 October 2025, when daily rotations will operate under a launch/validation programme. Riyadh Air published the RX401/RX402 timings: RX401 departs RUH at 03:15 and arrives LHR at 07:30 local time, while RX402 departs LHR at 09:30 and arrives RUH at 19:15 local time. These morning slots are important for onward connectivity into the UK.

Riyadh Air describes this as an operational validation period rather than a full commercial rollout. The airline will use the limited, real‑passenger rotations to validate crew readiness, ground handling, regulatory processes and systems before it expands into general ticket sales and full schedules. CEO Tony Douglas framed the move as more than a timetable change: ‘This isn’t just a launch; it’s the tangible realization of a vision to connect Saudi Arabia to the world.’

Independent outlets including Reuters and aviation trade reporting have corroborated the 26 October date and the staged approach. Industry slot filings and press materials indicate these flights will be daily during the validation phase, ensuring both regulatory compliance and protection of high‑value Heathrow rights while Riyadh Air completes fleet deliveries.

Aircraft and seat configuration: ‘Jamila’ and the 787‑9 numbers

The launch will be operated on the airline’s Boeing 787‑9 technical‑spare aircraft, nicknamed ‘Jamila’ (an ex‑Oman Air aircraft repurposed for training and early operations). Using a technical spare lets Riyadh Air fly real rotations while its ordered 787‑9s are still being delivered and certified.

Public filings and industry reporting list the launch 787‑9 at roughly 288 seats; other reporting of the planned new 787‑9s lists a ~290‑seat configuration. Both figures have appeared in coverage, reflecting minor configuration differences between the training/technical‑spare aircraft and the new production aircraft the airline expects to receive.

Riyadh Air’s stated ambition is rapid fleet and network growth: the carrier has placed major orders with Boeing and Airbus and has publicly targeted serving more than 100 destinations by 2030. The Jamila operations are a temporary but necessary step toward that broader expansion plan.

Heathrow slots, terminal plans and the slot‑use context

Industry slot filings and reporting indicate Riyadh Air secured daily morning arrival slots at Heathrow (arrivals around 07:30) and plans to operate from Terminal 4. The slots were acquired via the BMI/remedy process related to prior slot reallocations and are a strategic gain for the new carrier at one of the world’s busiest airports.

Slot‑use rules at Heathrow and elsewhere operate on a use‑it‑or‑lose‑it principle; the seasonal threshold commonly referenced in industry coverage is 80% usage. Operating limited, real passenger rotations during the validation window helps protect newly‑awarded slots from forfeiture while the airline works through systems and fleet deliveries.

For passengers, Terminal 4 arrival means checking terminal‑specific transfer, baggage reclaim and onward connection procedures on Heathrow’s official resources. Early‑morning arrivals can be convenient for same‑day connections, but allow time for immigration and transfers.

Booking, Sfeer loyalty and access to early seats

At launch, Riyadh Air is selling initial seats only to select groups: PIF (the Public Investment Fund), staff, Riyadh Air employees and their families and a limited set of ‘Founders’ via the new Sfeer loyalty rollout. General public sales are not expected until after the airline has taken delivery of its new 787‑9s and moved beyond the validation phase.

The Sfeer programme opened enrollment in early October 2025. Riyadh Air and PIF highlighted features such as ‘Founders’ priority access, community point‑sharing, no points expiry and gamified stages rolling out in 2026. Founders received priority booking during the launch phase, which is the explicit route to get early access to the inaugural rotations.

If you want priority access to future Riyadh Air London flights, registering with Sfeer via the airline’s official channels is the most practical step. Keep expectations realistic: public fares and full schedules will follow fleet delivery and regulatory approvals, not the initial validation window.

Why the staged launch makes operational sense

The staged approach , restricted sales, a technical‑spare aircraft and limited daily rotations , is deliberate. It allows Riyadh Air to validate crew, ground handling partners, training, IT and customer service operations with real passengers before opening to broad demand. That ‘Pathway to Perfect’ operational readiness approach reduces risk a of a full commercial launch.

From a network and regulatory standpoint, operating the limited rotations protects valuable Heathrow slots and keeps the carrier compliant with slot‑use rules during a period when new aircraft deliveries are still scheduled. Commentators have framed the move as consistent with both operational prudence and slot‑compliance strategy.

For Riyadh Air, the validation phase is also a marketing and loyalty play: it creates exclusivity for early community members and gives the airline live data to fine‑tune the product prior to scaling service across the planned network of destinations.

Practical travel tips: visas, connections and what to plan

Visa rules: travellers to Saudi Arabia should always check the Visit Saudi eVisa and visa‑on‑arrival guidance before booking. The official VisitSaudi eVisa platform lists eligible countries and application requirements; UK and US passport holders are included among eligible countries under current official guidance. Rules can change, so confirm on the official portal before travel.

Heathrow connections and timing: the 07:30 LHR arrival is useful for same‑day UK connections, but passengers should budget time for immigration and baggage. Terminal 4 procedures and transfer options should be verified with Heathrow and your onward carrier a of travel , especially on early morning arrivals when staffing and transfer desks can vary.

Booking and fares: because initial rotations are reserved for PIF/Riyadh Air groups and Sfeer Founders, the general public should not expect widely available fares at launch. If you want earlier access to special launch offers, enroll in Sfeer and follow official Riyadh Air communications for updates on fleet deliveries and full ticketing windows.

What to watch next: confirmations, deliveries and public sales

Key signals that will determine when public tickets become available are: official Riyadh Air press releases (and Sfeer updates), Boeing delivery notices for the airline’s first new 787‑9s, and any Heathrow slot or coordinator bulletins that move the carrier from validation to full scheduled operations. Follow official channels and major aviation outlets for those confirmations.

Industry reporting points to Dubai as a likely early follow‑up destination after London, consistent with the carrier’s regional ambitions. Fleet delivery pacing will be one of the largest determinants of when Riyadh Air scales beyond the Jamila validations into a broader route network.

For travellers, keep a watchlist: sign up to Sfeer, monitor Riyadh Air press notices and set alerts with reputable industry publications. That combination will give you the best chance to be ready when public sales and promotional fares for Riyadh Air London flights are released.

Riyadh Air’s October 26, 2025 London launch is a measured first step: a restricted, operational validation phase designed to protect airport slots, prove systems and reward early supporters via the Sfeer programme. The use of the Jamila 787‑9 allows real rotations now while a larger, modern fleet is still on delivery schedules.

If you’re planning travel between Riyadh and London, join Sfeer for priority access, verify visa requirements at the Visit Saudi eVisa site, and prepare for an early‑morning Heathrow arrival by checking Terminal 4 transfer options. Watch official Riyadh Air communications and industry delivery updates to know when full public schedules and fares will appear.