Summary

  • New partnership between Delta Air Lines & Riyadh Air will open up new international destinations.
  • The airlines are exploring a joint venture to expand their networks in the future.
  • Both carriers share common goals and aim to provide an elevated customer experience.

Atlanta-based carrier Delta Air Lines announced a new partnership with Saudi Arabia’s new full-service global carrier, Riyadh Air, on Tuesday. The collaboration is expected to strengthen connectivity and expand both carriers’ networks.

Once Riyadh Air officially commences operations next year, the partnership will open new international destinations to Delta passengers. As it will become more established over the years, the airlines plan to explore an immunized joint venture to grow their respective networks further.

“An array of new choices”

Delta and Riyadh Air jointly announced the partnership with the goal of introducing a variety of benefits to travelers traveling between North America, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, and beyond. The agreement between the two carriers was signed Tuesday at a ceremony at Delta’s headquarters.

Delta CEO and Riyadh Air CEO sign partnership.

Photo: Delta Air Lines

Ed Bastian, Delta’s CEO, spoke about the new partnership.

“This partnership with Riyadh Air will further Delta’s mission of connecting the world and open an array of new choices, benefits and destinations for our customers traveling to and from the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Most importantly, Riyadh Air shares Delta’s commitment to providing an elevated customer experience, which is why we’re looking forward to building and expanding this partnership in the months and years ahead. We appreciate the opportunity to work with the Riyadh Air team and the Public Investment Fund of Saudi Arabia as they transform the transportation economy in the Kingdom.”

Just getting started

Riyadh Air was founded on March 12, 2023. One of the airline’s first milestones was last summer when it unveiled its eye-catching livery. To commemorate the road to its first passenger flight, the carrier performed a low-altitude flyby of a Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner featuring its elegant paint scheme over its home base at King Khalid International Airport (RUH).

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Just over a year later, Riyadh Air is celebrating its first partnership with a US airline. According to CEO Tony Douglas, the carrier shares similar goals to Delta.

“We look forward to enjoying a very warm and productive relationship with Delta Air Lines, one of the largest and most successful airlines in the world. Riyadh Air and Delta Air Lines share common goals and pursue the highest standards in many areas including guest experience, loyalty, and sustainability, built upon great networks and strong connectivity.”

Riyadh Air Boeing 787

Photo: Riyadh Air

The partnership is subject to regulatory approvals, but both airlines expect their relationship to be long-term. It will include interline, codeshare connectivity, and focus on encompassing loyalty. The carriers also aim to work together on digital transformation and concepts more broadly, such as aircraft maintenance, repair, and overhaul services, ground handling, training, and sustainability initiatives.

Delta’s newest international route

Additionally, the airlines are planning for a joint venture down the road to further expand their partnership. As part of the announcement, Delta said it will introduce nonstop service between the US and RUH in the future. As Riyadh Air begins service in 2025, Delta will celebrate its centennial.

“It’s fitting that Riyadh Air will begin its journey the same year that Delta launches our second century of flight,” Bastian said. “We’ll have many opportunities to learn from each other and become better airlines for our mutual customers, our employees, our investors and our communities as we fly forward together.”

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