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Starting an airline from scratch is no small feat, but it’s particularly bold to do so in the Middle East, already home to big hitters like Qatar Airways, Emirates and Etihad Airways.
Riyadh Air burst onto the scene late last year when it began operating flights between its base at King Khalid International Airport and London Heathrow in October.
It wasn’t until June that these flights were available to book by the general public, but since then, new flight route announcements have been coming in thick and fast.
The airline has already begun operating routes from Riyadh to Cairo, Dubai and Málaga; flights to destinations including Manchester, Kuala Lumpur, Mumbai and Dhakar will begin in the coming weeks.
I was lucky enough to be on board the inaugural flight to Madrid – here’s what I thought.
Hafawa Lounge: The Middle East’s best airport lounge?
The Riyadh Air experience begins with a visit to Hafawa Lounge at King Khalid International Airport’s Terminal 2.
The lounge takes its name from the Arabic word for “warm welcome”, something that is an important part of Saudi culture, and you certainly feel that as you are offered coffee and dates upon arrival.
Designed by Yabu Pushelberg studio, the space was inspired by the Saudi desert; think warm sandy tones, and undulating lines throughout.
Spanning nearly 2,000 square meters, the lounge is spread across several rooms, allowing you to choose the setting that suits your mood.
For more of a classic airport lounge experience, you can visit the social dining room, which offers a buffet with Arabic mezze like hummus, baba ghanoush and tabbouleh, plus hot dishes like lamb kofta and seabass sayadiya alongside a selection of breads, cheeses and desserts.
If you have a bit more time to relax ahead of a flight, our pick would be the executive dining room, which offers à la carte plates like prawn machbous, beef tenderloin, and mushroom ravioli.
I ordered the burrata salad to start, followed by paneer tikka, both of which were excellent.
After eating, I made a beeline for the beverage corner. Here, you can order non-alcoholic wines or beers, as well as mocktails, like the Lavender Haze which is a nod to Riyadh Air’s signature scent.
The lounge feels like a reprieve from the intensity of the airport, with soft lounge music playing throughout the space. You really feel the contrast when visiting the outdoor part of the lounge that overlooks the terminal.
There are also private rooms for those who want a bit of shut eye, as well as massage chairs and showers.
Riyadh Air plans to open another Hafawa Lounge at London Heathrow’s Terminal 4, although the timeline for this has yet to be announced.
Experience on board
A lot of thought has gone into making the cabin feel distinct from other airlines, from the “canopy twist” above each of the business class seats to the use of shades of purple throughout.
The space feels warm and welcoming thanks to the number of textures deployed, like the detailing on the seat and the marble patterning on the table, and also private, thanks to the screen door.
Riyadh Air spent eight months perfecting the service while operating flights to and from London for staff, and it shows.
It feels like a space that has been designed by a frequent flyer for frequent flyers – everything you could possibly want has already been thought of.
Within the suite itself, you have two USB-C charging ports, one USB-A port, and a regular UK type G socket.
Headphones are offered, but if you don’t want to use them, you can connect your own headphones to the screen through Bluetooth. And if you don’t want to use headphones, you don’t have to, because there are speakers in the headrest.
The screen is massive, at 32 inches, and the in-flight entertainment system has all the latest releases you could possibly want.
One of our favourite features is part of the flight map – nearby cities are highlighted, and the screen pulls information from Wikipedia about that destination.
The amenity kit has lip balm, hand cream, face cream and face mist all from the Saudi-owned wellness brand Kayanee, as well as ear plugs, an eye mask, and a toothbrush with Marvis toothpaste.
As my flight was at 2am, I opted to skip the evening meal in favour of going to sleep. The Safran Unity seat converts to a lie-flat bed, and the thick mattress pad makes for a seriously comfy nap.
I woke up feeling refreshed and ready to eat, with my choice of breakfast being French toast, some pastries, and a fruit platter, all of which was just as tasty as the lounge food.
Overall, the experience on Riyadh Air was exceptional, which is seriously impressive for such a new airline.
Why European travellers should book Riyadh Air
Riyadh Air is Saudi Arabia’s second flag carrier, after Saudia, which is based out of Jeddah. While it is unusual to have two flag carriers, it’s not without precedent – Japan has both Japan Airlines and All Nippon Airways, while the UAE has both Emirates and Etihad Airlines.
The Middle East is a popular transit hub for European travellers heading to Asia or Africa, and Riyadh Air is certainly a worthy alternative to other more established airlines in the region.
While destinations at the moment are limited, Riyadh Air has said it plans to operate flights to more than 100 cities by 2030.
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