Riyadh Air Reveals 787-9 Cabins, Including Jaw-Dropping “Business Elite” Suites With 32-Inch Screens and Sliding Doors
Riyadh Air, the highly anticipated new carrier from the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, has revealed the interior cabins of its Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner, and the premium cabins are stunning even while not being revolutionary. With an emphasis on privacy, elegance, and high-end technology (the carrier calls itself “the world’s first digital native airline”), Riyadh Air hopes to be a serious contender for premium market share from its launch. If first impressions matter, color me impressed.
Tony Douglas, the Riyadh Air CEO, describes the new cabin as world-class:
“Riyadh Air has always promised to deliver a world-class experience for our guests and the unveiling of our cabin interiors make this ambition a reality. The design, layout, and features of our new cabins are carefully crafted to ensure flights are as comfortable and enjoyable as possible. From the ergonomic and luxurious fabrics in the seats to the high-end technology used in the entertainment systems, every facet of the cabins has been chosen to deliver relaxing luxury.”
Let’s explore each cabin.
Business Elite: Private Suites With Massive Screens
Let’s start with the crown jewel: Riyadh Air’s new “Business Elite” class, four seats in a 1-2-1 configuration across row one of the 787-9. Each seat is a fully enclosed suite with a sliding privacy door — a now-critical feature in modern premium cabins (though I still think doors are overrated). But what truly sets it apart is the tech and layout: the seat features a 32-inch 4K entertainment screen, reportedly the largest in any business class cabin to date. That’s not a typo. This dwarfs even the 22- to 24-inch displays we see on Qatar Airways or Emirates in business class and equals what Emirates offers in first class.
Center seats can be combined into double beds, a nod to Qatar’s Qsuites. But the design tries to be more bespoke: mocha gold accents, subtle lighting, marble-inspired finishes, and customizable mood lighting give the cabin a distinctive visual identity. I find the cabin details very intentional, not flashy for flashiness’s sake. It’s refined, not gaudy, a somewhat stark juxtaposition to Emirates’ frankly below-average business class seat.
Storage appears generous, with dedicated compartments for laptops, water bottles, and small personal items, as well as a wireless charging pad (though I have yet to find a wireless charging port that charges quickly). Every suite has multiple USB-C and AC outlets.
Riyadh Air chose the modified Safran Unity Elite for Business Elite.
Business Class: Solid Suite With Privacy
Business class will feature 24 seats (six rows) in a 1-2-1 configuration and include:
- 45-inch pitch
- 22-inch width
- 22-inch 4K OLED screen
- 1AC power outlet
- 1 USB-A outlet
- 2USB-C outlets
The suites have sliding privacy doors that are 52 inches high and the lie-flat bed will stretch 72 inches. Center section seats will not convert into double beds, but will offer adjustable privacy dividers.
Riyadh Air is also using the Safran Unity Elite seat in business class, which you can also find on the Japan Airlines A350-1000.
Premium Economy And Economy: Competitive And Comfortable
Premium Economy hasn’t been ignored either. Recaro PL3530 seats feature footrests, increased recline, and adjustable headrests, with a clearly defined cabin and upgraded dining experience. It’s also not revolutionary, but it’s on par with what we see from major European and Asian carriers. Seats feature 38 inches of pitch, are 19.2 inches wide, and feature a 15.6 inch 4K OLED screen.
Even Economy class looks solid. Seat pitch is 31 inches, seat width is 17.2 inches, and each seat has a 13.4 inch 4K OLED screen. I also find the materials and finishes are far more elegant than the usual plasticky beige. The 3-3-3 seating is standard. The cabin lighting design also extends to economy, creating a cohesive feel throughout the aircraft.
But while economy class will have two USB-C chargers, it will not have A/C power, which strikes me as a miss for a carrier that wants to distinguish itself as premium. Most laptops charge on USB-C, including both of mine, but I have yet to find a USB-C charger strong enough to charge my Macbook Pro and most cannot even sustain the current battery level when plugged in. I view that as miss.
Part of a Bigger Bet: Vision 2030 and Saudi Soft Power
This isn’t just about a new airline. Riyadh Air is a flagship piece of Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030, a sweeping economic diversification project designed to transform the Kingdom into a global tourism, business, and cultural hub. The goal? Connect Riyadh to over 100 destinations by the decade’s end and compete directly with Gulf neighbors like Emirates, Etihad, and Qatar Airways.
With 39 Boeing 787-9s already on order (and options for dozens more), Riyadh Air is plowing ahead. It will be based out of the new King Salman International Airport, a mega-airport under construction in Riyadh that will reportedly handle 120 million passengers annually. This isn’t just regional ambition–it is global posturing.
How Does It Compare?
It’s easy to compare these suites to Qatar’s Qsuite or Emirates’ First Class — but perhaps what’s most interesting is that Riyadh Air isn’t bothering with a first class at all…at least for now on the 787-9. That’s telling, even if the carrier’s strategy seems to be shifting. The airline is investing fully in business class as its top-tier product, in line with what we’re seeing across the industry. First class is increasingly niche, even as it finds its renaissance on Air France and Lufthansa. But 70+ inches of pitch, privacy doors, double beds, and 32-inch screens? That’s more than enough for most luxury travelers, whether you want to call it First Class or Business Elite. Even so, while the carrier will not introduce first class on the 787-9, it plans a first class product for future widebody aircraft (that it promises will be game-changing).
Still, as someone who’s been flying premium cabins for years, I know that design alone isn’t enough. The true test will be service. What kind of soft product will Riyadh Air offer? What’s the catering like? What kind of lounge experience will be offered in Riyadh? And can the airline maintain consistency, or will the gloss fade after launch? I do love the new uniforms!
CONCLUSION
Riyadh Air’s Dreamliner interiors are bold, beautiful, and built to impress. Whether it can compete head-to-head with the region’s giants, considering its more limited route network, remains to be seen, but one thing is clear: Riyadh Air is not trying to play catch-up. It’s trying to leapfrog the competition from the start.
Thus, the 787-9 reveal wasn’t just a cabin update, it was a statement of intent. I find more competition a beautiful thing and hope Riyadh Air is able to deliver on what looks to be a very solid product.
“45-inch pitch”? No wonder it looks so tight. And that’s their premier offering? The individual air nozzles are a plus though.
Looks beautiful.
Pretty but who wants to go to Saudi Arabia?