Delta Air Lines will begin flights to Riyadh, Saudi Arabia starting October next year.
Atlanta-Riyadh flights operate three times a week. Delta has not yet announced a specific launch date and flights are not yet on sale.
With this announcement, Delta becomes the first U.S. airline to confirm plans to fly to Saudi Arabia. Currently, Saudia is the only airline that connects the Middle East kingdom nonstop with the United States, offering three routes from Jeddah and service from Riyadh to Washington Dulles and New York JFK.
Delta’s move is in line with its plans to partner with Riyadh Airways, a national carrier with big ambitions that launched flights between Riyadh and London Heathrow last Sunday. Riyadh Air has a firm order book for 124 aircraft, including 64 wide-bodies.
Delta Air Lines has signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) to become Riyadh Airways’ exclusive North American partner in 2024. The agreement includes cooperation on a wide range of aviation services, including maintenance and repairs, as well as interline, code-sharing and loyalty program partnerships.
Delta plans to fly Atlanta-Riyadh with Airbus A350-900 aircraft with business, premium economy and economy cabins.
