Riyadh Air Commits to 28 Boeing 787s, Adding 787-10

During the Farnborough International Airshow 2026, the Saudi Arabia national carrier, Riyadh Air, finalized a major widebody agreement. The new Riyadh Air Boeing 787 order exercises options for 28 additional Boeing 787 Dreamliner aircraft while converting 20 existing orders to the larger Boeing 787-10 Dreamliner variant. This fleet expansion represents a critical step for the startup airline as it prepares for its commercial launch.

The decision to scale up to the larger 787-10 variant reflects a broader trend among Middle Eastern carriers to maximize capacity and slot efficiency. According to Boeing's official announcement, this transaction expands Riyadh Air's firm widebody commitment to 67 aircraft. By integrating the larger variant, Riyadh Air can accommodate higher passenger volumes on high-density routes, directly supporting its mandate to connect the Saudi capital to global markets.

Core Fleet Integration and Supplier Commitments

The newly firmed aircraft build upon Riyadh Air's foundational agreement signed in March 2023, when the carrier initially ordered 39 firm 787-9s with 33 options. By exercising 28 of those options, the airline has secured a substantial portion of its planned widebody capacity. The GACA (General Authority of Civil Aviation) of Saudi Arabia will oversee the aircraft type certification and operational integration of the 787-10 into the airline's fleet before commercial flights commence.

The financial and operational implications of this order extend to key aerospace suppliers. Riyadh Air's entire Dreamliner fleet is scheduled to be powered exclusively by GE Aerospace's GEnx-1B engines, securing long-term delivery and maintenance contracts for the engine manufacturer. Meanwhile, Boeing Commercial Airplanes secures a major backlog boost for its widebody program, reinforcing its position in the competitive Middle East market.

However, the rapid expansion has also drawn scrutiny from environmental advocacy groups tracking aviation emissions. Critics argue that while new-generation widebodies are significantly more fuel-efficient than older models, the sheer scale of fleet expansions and the goal of adding more than 100 new global routes will inevitably increase absolute aviation carbon emissions.

Riyadh Air's Capacity Strategy

The transition from the 787-9 to the 787-10 is a calculated trade-off between range and passenger capacity. While the 787-9 offers superior range for ultra-long-haul missions, the 787-10 provides a substantial capacity increase, making it highly effective for trunk routes connecting Riyadh to major European, Asian, and regional hubs.

Boeing 787-10 vs. Boeing 787-9: Key Specifications

This capacity boost of approximately 40 to 50 more seats per aircraft will allow Riyadh Air to optimize slot usage at congested international airports, a critical factor in competing with established regional giants.

Widebody Optimization and the Middle East Fleet Wave

Riyadh Air's fleet adjustment represents a broader structural shift in widebody procurement. Historically, Middle Eastern carriers relied heavily on ultra-large aircraft like the Boeing 777 and Airbus A380 to build global hub-and-spoke networks. However, the current cost cycle and regulatory focus on fuel efficiency have accelerated a transition toward highly efficient, twin-engine widebodies. By utilizing a mixed fleet of 787-9 and 787-10 aircraft, Riyadh Air can match capacity to route-specific demand. The 787-10 serves as an optimized high-capacity regional and medium-haul vehicle, while the 787-9 retains the range necessary for ultra-long-haul routes to the Americas. This dual-variant strategy mirrors successful deployment patterns observed at other global network carriers, allowing Riyadh Air to minimize trip costs while maximizing passenger yield.

Fleet Deliveries and Route Network Expansion Milestones

As Riyadh Air prepares for its commercial entry, several key milestones are tracked on its horizon:

• Late 2026: Boeing and Riyadh Air are expected to finalize the remaining 17 Boeing 787 aircraft on the order book, officially logging all 67 firm orders into Boeing's backlog.
• 2025-2026: The General Authority of Civil Aviation is expected to conduct type certification and operational readiness reviews for the 787-10 variant.
• 2030: Riyadh Air is expected to reach its primary target of operating scheduled flights to over 100 international destinations, fulfilling its role in Saudi Arabia's Vision 2030 economic diversification program.

How Riyadh Air Reshapes the Gulf Aviation Landscape

For the aviation industry, this development signals the rapid emergence of a formidable competitor in the Middle East. The expanded widebody fleet directly challenges established regional carriers and introduces intense domestic competition for Saudia, the kingdom's other national carrier. By securing early delivery slots for high-capacity aircraft, Riyadh Air positions itself to capture a significant share of the growing global travel market, altering established traffic flows through the Gulf.