A new chapter in regional air travel is about to begin. Riyadh Air, Saudi Arabia’s brand-new national carrier, is launching flights between Riyadh and Dubai this week, with fares from as little as just Dhs395.

From June 18, 2026, Riyadh Air will operate a daily service between Riyadh and Dubai, and if the product on offer is anything to go by, this is one airline worth getting excited about.

Operating on freshly delivered Boeing 787-9 Dreamliners, the Riyadh-Dubai route is one of six international services the airline is rolling out this summer, alongside London, Cairo, Jeddah, Madrid and Manchester. The journey will have you there in under two hours: flight RX 243 departs King Khalid Airport’s Terminal 2 at 2.05pm, touching down at Dubai International’s Terminal 1 at 5pm, while the return (RX 244) leaves Dubai at 6.30pm and lands in Riyadh by 7.20pm.

Economy fares start from Dhs395 one-way on the Lite bundle, rising to Dhs585 for Smart and Dhs775 for Flex. All Economy bundles include a 7kg carry-on and 5kg personal item, with checked baggage allowances ranging from 25kg on Lite to 35kg on Flex. Premium Economy opens from Dhs1,665, while Business starts from Dhs5,665.

Business Elite and Business travellers get fully flat beds in a 1-2-1 layout — no middle seat, no awkward shuffle past a stranger. Noise-cancelling headrests with high-fidelity audio are built directly into the seat, along with USB-C, USB-A, and AC power at every position. In Premium Economy, the 2-3-2 layout comes with privacy headrest wings, expanded storage, and four USB-C charging points. Even in Economy, the six-way adjustable headrests and dual charging points make the experience more considered than the regional norm.

The in-flight entertainment spans over 500 films and 600 TV series from Shahid, Disney+, HBO Max, and Warner Bros., all via Panasonic’s Astrova IFE system with Bluetooth audio throughout. Onboard hospitality also extends to Kayanee wellness products, John Horsfall bedding, and Disney amenity kits for younger flyers.

Sign up to the Sfeer loyalty programme before you fly to join as a Founding Member, unlocking complimentary onboard Wi-Fi, a best-price guarantee, and points that never expire.

What: Riyadh Air launches flights to Dubai
When: June 18, 2026
Price: From Dhs395 one-way
Book: riyadhair.com

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