Riyadh Air

[kamchatsky]

An article caught my eye today about the new Riyadh Air:

Saudi Arabia's new airline is about to change the world of air travel

The start-up fleet of 39 Boeing 787-9s will catapult Riyadh Air into the major league when it debuts.

www.traveller.com.au

The company has just recently formed, but they've already bought 39 787-9s and have options for another 33 more. They are bankrolled by PIF and have A LOT of cash. They are planning to start in 2025 and will serve more than 100 destinations by 2030. So ME3 will become ME4 very soon.

 

[RooFlyer]

The Riyadh Air frequent flyer program Sfeer is now open to join. You get 'Founder status'.

https://www.riyadhair.com/en/sfeer

 

[moa999]

One very different feature to most FF programs

Points never expire as long as your account remains active

Also interesting list of airline partners
Saudia (ST)
Singapore Airlines (Star)
Air China (Star)
China Eastern (ST)
Delta (ST)
EgyptAir (Star)
Turkish Airlines (Star)
Virgin Atlantic (ST)
Air France/ KLM (ST)

 

[TomVexille]

They also managed to get a LHR slot as a brand new carrier. Wonder how deep they had to dig to afford that.

 

[RooFlyer]

They also managed to get a LHR slot as a brand new carrier. Wonder how deep they had to dig to afford that.

And having secured the pair of slots, under the 'use it or lose it' rule, they are starting up with the ex Oman Air 'technical spare' aircraft that they got to get their Air Operators Certificate (I think it was) rather than waiting for their new aircraft, yet to be delivered.

 

[kamchatsky]

They also managed to get a LHR slot as a brand new carrier. Wonder how deep they had to dig to afford that.

Well the owner PIF have a LOT of cash..... They are building this airline in time for the World Cup