Riyadh Air is studying a major expansion of its long-haul fleet that could add 25 to 30 Boeing 787 Dreamliners, according to industry sources cited by Reuters.
The potential purchase would involve converting most of the airline’s remaining Boeing options into firm orders. No deal has been announced, and Riyadh Air and Boeing both declined to comment to Reuters.
An announcement could come as early as next week’s Farnborough International Airshow, although the sources cautioned that the details remain under discussion.
A large Dreamliner commitment could get larger
Riyadh Air placed its original 787 order in 2023 as it prepared to build a new international network from Saudi Arabia. Boeing said at the time that the agreement covered 39 firm 787-9 orders and options for 33 more aircraft, for a potential total of 72 Dreamliners.
If the carrier converts 25 to 30 of those options, its firm Boeing widebody order book would rise to between 64 and 69 aircraft. That would leave only a small number of the original options unexercised.
The airline has begun moving from preparation into operations. Reuters reported that Riyadh Air staged its first commercial revenue flight last month, giving fresh context to a fleet decision that would support a much larger long-haul network.
Airbus may also gain additional business
The discussions are not limited to Boeing. Riyadh Air already has 25 Airbus A350-1000s on order, along with options for another 25. Industry sources told Reuters that some of those Airbus options could also be converted into firm orders.
Airbus declined to comment. The possible expansion on both sides suggests Riyadh Air is evaluating a dual-manufacturer widebody strategy rather than concentrating all future growth in a single aircraft family.
The 787-9 and A350-1000 would play different but complementary roles. The Dreamliner is suited to opening long-range routes with flexible capacity, while the larger A350-1000 can serve denser markets where more seats and cargo volume are needed.
Why the timing matters
A firm order at Farnborough would give Boeing a high-profile widebody win while reinforcing the scale of Saudi Arabia’s aviation investment. It would also deepen the competition between Boeing and Airbus for the next phase of Riyadh Air’s growth.
For Riyadh Air, the decision would signal confidence in a rapid network buildout. But the key word remains potential: neither manufacturer nor the airline has confirmed that any options will be exercised, and the final number, timing and aircraft mix may still change.
Until a formal announcement is made, the proposed 25-to-30-aircraft Boeing order and any additional Airbus commitments should be treated as active discussions rather than completed deals.
