A new airline, set to transform Saudi Arabia's tourism industry, has revealed the first details of its luxury aircraft interiors. Riyadh Air, owned by the Kingdom's Public Investment Fund, has released a peak inside its stunning new 787 business class.
The airline’s CEO Tony Douglas likens it to a Mercedes-Maybach with “next-level refinement” above the best of its rivals generating the question about whether Riyadh Air could be the world’s best new business class. The airline's Boeing 787-9, which are set to be operational later this year, feature sophisticated cabin designs. Promising guests a premium, tech-forward guest experience the interiors appear to have elegant finishes and are incredibly stylish making them the perfect spot to sit back and unwind.
Designed to set a new benchmark for efficiency and environmental responsibility the new airline looks set to compete with established airlines for first class passengers.
Riyadh Air's fleet is set to include 60 cutting-edge Airbus A321neo aircraft and 39 Boeing 787-9 Dreamliners, designed with spacious cabins, noise-reduction technology, and 25% better fuel efficiency.
Riyadh Air’s 787s will have a total of 290 seats, which will be broken down into these sections:
24 standard business class seats, in a 1-2-1 configuration
39 premium economy seats, in a 2-3-2 configuration
223 economy seats, in a 3-3-3 configuration
Talking about the business class seats, CEO Mr Douglas says: “The chassis is the same chassis we’ve designed with Safran for the rest of business class.
"I use the automotive analogy that the difference between an S Class Mercedes and a Maybach is actually through material choices and design because, of course, the chassis is the same. It’s exactly the same vehicle underneath the floor.”
Guests on board should be constantly entertained as the airline will offer free Wi-Fi across cabins to members of its loyalty programme.
Speaking with Executive Traveller, Mr Douglas lifted the lid on what passengers can expect from the highly anticipated airline.
He said: “What you can expect to see in our business class is probably a step in between most airline’s business and first class.”
“And, I say this with humility, what you would expect to receive by way of service and amenity in Business Elite will be at the standard of the best of first class.”
The airline has also launched an AI-powered mobile app where travellers will be able to do a number of things, including book their trip, sort out last-minute fast track, additional checked bags, lounge access, events, accommodation and transfers.
The app will also use advanced facial recognition to turn passengers' faces into a passport, boarding passes, and payment methods, simplifying airport processes, eliminating queues, and, therefore, providing a smoother travel experience for passengers.
