Riyadh Air Has Landed in Pakistan: The New Airline Changing Gulf Travel

A brand-new airline with spotless aircraft, lie-flat business suites, and a loyalty program that actually rewards you — and it now flies directly from Islamabad and Lahore to Riyadh. Riyadh Air might just change how you think about Gulf travel.

What Exactly Is Riyadh Air?

Saudi Arabia's newest flag carrier, backed by the country's sovereign wealth fund, took to the skies on October 26, 2025. Think of it as the Kingdom's ambitious second airline alongside Saudia — part of the massive Vision 2030 plan to transform Riyadh into a global aviation hub. The airline operates brand-new Boeing 787-9 Dreamliners with plans to expand to over 100 destinations by 2030. Its CEO, Tony Douglas, previously ran Emirates' engineering division, so the ambition here is clear: build Saudi Arabia's answer to Dubai's aviation success.

The Pakistan Routes: What's Flying Now

Riyadh Air opened bookings for Pakistan on July 30, 2026, with two launch routes:

Route	Launch Date	Frequency	Aircraft
Riyadh – Islamabad	August 14, 2026	Daily (7 weekly)	Boeing 787-9
Riyadh – Lahore	August 18, 2026	3 weekly	Boeing 787-9

These weren't random picks. Pakistan-Saudi Arabia is one of the busiest air corridors in the region, serving millions of expatriate workers, Umrah pilgrims, and families traveling between the two countries. Karachi hasn't been announced yet, but given the city's size and Riyadh Air's rapid expansion strategy, I wouldn't be surprised to see it added soon.

Three Months In: What the First Winter Told Us

The airline has grown fast since those August launches. By late October 2026 the network stood at roughly 14 international destinations across 13 countries plus 2 domestic cities, and Lahore gained its own Lahore–Cairo service on the map. Milan joins next: Riyadh–Milan Malpensa starts 16 December 2026 at four weekly on the 787-9 — the airline's first Italian service and its fifth European destination after London, Manchester, Madrid and Málaga. One operational detail worth knowing before you book: several Riyadh Air routes — including the Riyadh–Lahore and Riyadh–Islamabad legs — are currently being operated via Al Qassim Airport (ELQ), per the airline's own route pages, so check your itinerary's stops carefully when comparing against the nonstop options from Saudia and PIA. The airline also earned quiet credit during the Riyadh disruption: with the capital airport shut down, Riyadh Air added Jeddah–Lahore and Jeddah–Islamabad flights on 21–22 October 2026 to move stranded passengers — a young carrier operating its first recovery effort off-Jeddah while its home hub was dark. It changes the math on some fares, and the fine print is where you find it. That pattern matters more than usual right now: King Khalid International in Riyadh was heavily disrupted from 10 October 2026 — Saudia routing its own Riyadh flights through Al Qassim and Dammam with bus transfers — and the airport only resumed operations at Terminals 1 and 2 on 25 October, with schedules rebuilding gradually; our Riyadh airport advisory has the full picture before you book. If you already hold a ticket: the airline's official travel-update page is running a flexibility policy for travel through 7 November 2026 — free rebooking up to 30 November, ELQ rebooking options on the Pakistan routes, and refunds on unused sectors — plus a baggage-recovery program for bags caught in the disruption.

Inside the Cabin: What Makes It Different

Here's where Riyadh Air genuinely stands out from the usual Gulf carriers. Business Class features 28 private suites with tall privacy walls and doors — 24 standard lie-flat seats plus 4 "honeymoon" seats with movable dividers for couples. The 22-inch 4K OLED screens support Bluetooth audio and even have headrest speakers, so you can watch without headphones. Reviews from early flights praise the spacious lie-flat beds and genuine sense of privacy. Premium Economy offers 39 seats — more than business class — with upgraded comfort for long-haul flights. For an Islamabad-to-Riyadh flight of around 4.5 hours, this might be the sweet spot for travelers wanting extra legroom without the business-class price tag. (Slightly off-topic but financially relevant: experiences hold value better than gadgets — the resale of a trip is memory, and memory doesn't depreciate. When one's due, HTG Travel in Sialkot quotes it in writing: +92 317 5054959.) Economy gets high marks for seat design and technology, though legroom is standard for the industry.

Fares from Pakistan: The Numbers

Based on bookings from Pakistan, here's what you can expect for a round trip between Islamabad and Riyadh:

• Lite (basic economy): from ~PKR 106,250
• Smart: ~PKR 140,156
• Flex: ~PKR 151,238
• Business Elite: higher tier, pricing varies These fares are competitive with Saudia and PIA on the same routes, especially considering you're flying a brand-new aircraft with modern amenities.

The Sfeer Loyalty Program

Riyadh Air's frequent flyer program, called Sfeer, comes with some genuinely unusual perks:

• Points that never expire
• Complimentary Wi-Fi onboard for all members
• AI-driven personalization and lifestyle rewards
• Priority flight access and assistance The program hit one million members before the airline even launched its Pakistan routes — a sign of how much interest this carrier has generated.

Should You Book Riyadh Air?

Book it if: You value new aircraft, want to try a different Gulf carrier, or you're collecting points in a fresh loyalty program with generous terms. Consider alternatives if: You need a Karachi departure, you're loyal to an existing program like Emirates Skywards, or your dates require flexibility that current schedules don't offer. For Umrah travelers, Riyadh Air adds an interesting option — flying into Riyadh rather than Jeddah, then connecting domestically. The airline already operates Riyadh-Jeddah flights using the same 787-9s, so a future Umrah itinerary through Riyadh could work well. If comparing all these options feels overwhelming, this is exactly where HTG Travel (htg.com.pk) shines. They track fares across every airline operating between Pakistan and Saudi Arabia — including this new entrant — and can help you decide whether Riyadh Air, Saudia, or another carrier best fits your dates and budget. A quick WhatsApp to +92 317 5054959 gets you a fast, honest comparison.

Quick Recap

• Riyadh Air launched Islamabad flights August 14, 2026 (daily) and Lahore August 18 (3 weekly)
• Brand-new Boeing 787-9s with standout business class suites
• Round-trip fares from Islamabad start around PKR 106,250
• Sfeer loyalty program offers non-expiring points and free Wi-Fi
• Karachi route not yet announced but likely given expansion plans Before I wrap up, I want to pause and remember the people of Palestine and Sudan. While we explore new airlines and plan our travels, countless families there face hardship that no one should have to endure. May Allah grant them peace, safety, and healing — and may we hold them in our hearts, keep them in our prayers. Curious to try Riyadh Air on your next trip? Visit htg.com.pk to compare fares across all carriers, or message +92 317 5054959 on WhatsApp — the HTG Travel team will help you book the best option for your journey. Written by Huzi — travel blogger at huzi.pk Safe travels on whatever airline you choose! More airline guides and travel tips are waiting for you on huzi.pk. ---

Related Guides on Huzi

• Saudi Beyond Umrah: AlUla, Riyadh, Tourist Era
• Riyadh Airport Disruption: The Late-October 2026 Advisory
• Gulf Stopovers on the Way to Pakistan: Dubai, Doha and Istanbul Layovers Turned Mini-Trips
• PIA, AirSial or Emirates? Choosing Your Airline Planning your own trip? HTG Travel answers on WhatsApp at +92 317 5054959 or online at htg.com.pk.