First look: Riyadh Air unveils stunning cabin design ahead of launch late 2025

Riyadh: Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund (PIF) – funded airline start-up Riyadh Air has revealed the interior cabin design for its Boeing 787 wide-body fleet, set to take flight later in 2025. The carrier, which calls itself ‘the world’s first digital-native airline’, will have Business Elite, Premium Economy, and Economy seats.

The showcased layouts, which the airline revealed on Saturday, aim “to blend luxury and comfort, promising a premium experience across all classes.”

Tony Douglas, Riyadh Air CEO, said, “The design, layout, and features of our new cabins are carefully crafted to ensure flights are as comfortable and enjoyable as possible.”

Douglas added, “From the ergonomic and luxurious fabrics in the seats to the high-end technology used in the entertainment systems, every facet of the cabins has been chosen to deliver relaxing luxury.”

Douglas had said in 2023 that the airline would not have First Class seats; the Business Elite seats are probably an alternative.

Having recently received its Air Operator Certificate (AOC) from Saudi aviation authorities and taken delivery of its first technical spare aircraft, Riyadh Air is expected to announce its network and first flight date in the coming months.

The airline said its cabin interiors feature a consistent design across the fleet, ensuring a unified product for passengers.

Business Elite and Business Class

Both classes will feature Safran Unity seats in a 1-2-1 configuration with fully flat beds measuring 78 inches in length and 22.5 inches in width. Business Elite will have 4 seats, and Business Class will have 24. Both offer 52-inch-high walls, sliding privacy doors, and adjustable privacy dividers for centre seats in Business. Business Elite will also feature a double bed option in the front row’s centre seats.  

Premium Economy

This cabin will have 39 seats in a 2-3-2 layout, with a 38-inch seat pitch and a width of 19.2 inches. Features include privacy head wings, increased storage, an expandable side table, and a calf rest.

Economy

The Economy cabin will have 223 seats in a 3-3-3 layout, offering a 31-inch pitch and a width of 17.2 inches. Seats will have 6-way adjustable headrests.  

According to the carrier, all classes will be equipped with large 4K OLED entertainment screens. Business Elite will have 32-inch screens, the largest in Business Class. In contrast, Business Class will have 22-inch screens, Premium Economy 15.6-inch screens, and Economy 13.4-inch screens.

Regarding technology deployed, the airline promises lighting and audio, including integrated suite lighting and embedded headrest speakers for Business and Business Elite passengers. Free high-speed Wi-Fi will be available to loyalty program members across all cabins.

All seats in Business Elite and Business will have A/C power, two USB-C, and one USB-A charging point. Premium Economy seats will feature four USB-C charging points, while Economy seats will have two.  

Commenting on the design and materials used for the aircraft, Riyadh Air said the cabin interiors reflect “Saudi heritage with a modern touch”.

“Lavender tones will bring elegance to Economy, while Mocha Gold metallic elements will add sophistication to premium classes,” the airline explained. Seats are ergonomically crafted with plush foam and premium fabrics with tufted stitching.

Saudi Arabia aims to transform into a major travel destination through an $800 billion investment in its tourism sector, to reach 150 million visitors by the end of the decade.

Backed by the kingdom’s Public Investment Fund, Riyadh Air is a key component of Saudi Arabia’s ambitious strategy to attract high-value tourists, moving beyond solely focusing on large visitor numbers.