Riyadh Air has announced at Farnborough International Airshow that it is exercising options for 28 additional Boeing 787 Dreamliners from its 2023 order, including the conversion of 20 to the larger 787-10 variant, with the transaction set to raise the Saudi carrier’s firm 787 order count to 67 aircraft as it builds towards 100 destinations by 2030.
787-10 ADDS TRUNK ROUTE CAPACITY TO RIYADH AIR’S GROWING NETWORK
Riyadh Air and Boeing have announced at Farnborough International Airshow 2026 that Riyadh Air is exercising options for 28 additional Boeing 787 Dreamliner jets, converting 20 of those to the 787-10 — the largest variant in the 787 family, offering 50 more seats than the 787-9. The announcement includes a previously undisclosed commitment of 11 aircraft; once the remaining 17 are finalised, Riyadh Air’s firm order count will reach 67 787 Dreamliners. The airline currently operates six 787-9s in commercial service, having launched full operations earlier in 2026 and now serving six cities.
Tony Douglas, CEO of Riyadh Air, said the commitment to firm up an additional 28 787 Dreamliners and introduce the 787-10 marked another significant milestone in the airline’s journey towards more than 100 international destinations by 2030, a key component of Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 ambitions. He said guests had been hugely impressed with the Riyadh Air experience on board the current 787 fleet and that the addition of the 787-10 would strengthen the airline’s ability to accommodate growing passenger and cargo demand while providing the operational flexibility required to support its ambitious network plans.
787-10: CAPACITY, EFFICIENCY AND FLEET COMMONALITY
The 787-10 is the largest member of the Dreamliner family and provides Riyadh Air with a materially higher-capacity widebody option for the airline’s highest-density trunk routes without requiring a separate fleet type or crew conversion. Operating the 787-9 and 787-10 side by side delivers fleet commonality benefits — shared flight deck systems, common maintenance procedures and joint pilot type rating — that reduce operational costs and training complexity while allowing the airline to match aircraft size to route demand with minimal friction.
The 787-10 reduces fuel use and emissions by 25% compared to the previous-generation aircraft it replaces — a relevant efficiency credential for an airline whose stated strategy includes operating one of the world’s most modern, efficient and sustainable fleets. Stephanie Pope, President and CEO of Boeing Commercial Airplanes, said Boeing was deeply honoured that Riyadh Air was placing additional orders for 787 Dreamliner aircraft and that the 787-10 would be a great complement to the airline’s growing fleet, advancing its mission to be a world-class airline delivering an exceptional passenger experience.
SAUDI VISION 2030 AND THE ECONOMIC CASE
As a wholly owned company of Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund, Riyadh Air operates as a direct instrument of the kingdom’s economic diversification strategy. The airline estimates its growth will generate over 200,000 direct and indirect jobs and contribute more than $20 billion (SAR 75 billion) to non-oil GDP by 2030. The target of more than 100 destinations by 2030 positions Riyadh as a competitive intercontinental hub, directly challenging Dubai, Doha and Abu Dhabi for the Gulf’s connecting passenger flows — a strategic ambition that requires a large and modern widebody fleet as its primary enabler, making the Farnborough order commitment a logical and necessary step.
Source and Images: Riyadh Air / Boeing
