Inside Riyadh Air’s Business Elite: Saudi Arabia’s Premium Travel Experience
The Business Elite cabin on Riyadh Air’s Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner is not your average business class. It is a statement about privacy, design, and service that puts other top-end first-class cabins to shame.
This is made clear from the moment you step onboard the new national carrier of Saudi Arabia. This one is setting its sights high with this flagship product.
We take a look at why Business Elite stands out in today’s market for premium seats. And explore whether there might be more to this experience than simply having somewhere comfortable to rest during a long flight.
Airport Experience
As soon as you enter King Khalid International Airport, you’ll notice that the Business Elite service has been created to make your journey feel smooth and special.
If you’re travelling on Riyadh Air’s first or business class, you can visit an exclusive lounge before your flight. These include AlFursan Lounge (operated by Saudia) in Terminals 1 and 5.
Here, passengers can relax in comfortable surroundings and enjoy free hot meals. There are also high-speed Wi-Fi, private nap areas, showers, and business facilities.
Other upmarket options with similar facilities plus an international menu are Plaza Premium Lounge and Flynas Business Lounge. Entry is free for those flying premium cabins, but can also be accessed using air miles or loyalty points.
No need to worry about checking in – just head to the Business Elite desks for prompt, polite assistance. Soon, Riyadh Airport will introduce facial recognition technology that uses artificial intelligence (AI) to identify frequent flyers. These passengers can board more quickly thanks to a personalized system.
Travellers who fly first or business class also stand to benefit from a new baggage policy being rolled out across the network. Their allowances have been increased, and their cases will be among the first to arrive on the carousel.
Exciting changes are afoot at RUH, too. Work has already begun on a VIP terminal where passengers will be able to relax in luxurious lounges, catch up on sleep in specially designed pods, and enjoy the very latest high-tech services.
Cabin Design and Seat Features
Riyadh Air’s Business Elite section is found at the front of the 787-9. It comprises just four super-private suites arranged in a 1-2-1 formation – meaning each customer gets both aisle access and real “me” space.
Based on the Safran Unity Elite platform, every suite boasts a sliding door that reaches 52in high. So once inside, you can shut out the world and relax in your own little bubble at 40,000ft.
Need some shut-eye? No problem: your seat turns into a fully flat bed that’s up to 78in long and 22.5in wide – one of the biggest in the business class market.
The center suites have the ability to transform into a double bed, which is an option few business class cabins offer: a genuine couples’ suite. This means whether you are flying alone or with someone else, there is flexibility as well as privacy and luxury.
Inside, the look is both subtle and chic – think marble-style surfaces alongside furnishings in tones like mocha and gold – while LED lighting that can be adjusted allows passengers to alter the ambience as they wish.
Far from being flashy (an accusation often levelled at some carriers from the Gulf region), Riyadh Air has gone for an aesthetic that suggests modern-day elegance with a hint of Middle Eastern luxury.
Dining & Service
Travellers booking with the Saudi carrier can expect top-quality food curated from around the world within their cabin, along with dishes that have been designed to reflect the region.
Guests can also dine whenever they like during the flight – just like ordering room service in a hotel.
Another feature passengers will notice is an exclusive soundtrack: “The Sound of a New Beginning”. This has been produced by Abbey Road Studios (made famous by The Beatles) and will be played throughout the aircraft both during boarding and while meals are being served.
It is hoped the music will create a mood that marks out this airline from its rivals.
Nor does the airline have full onboard menus available for viewing at present, but there have been some teasers about what passengers can expect. Service equal to eating in a five-star restaurant, at 35,000 feet.
In-Flight Entertainment
What makes Business Elite stand out is its impressive technology package. At the core is the biggest business-class screen on the market: Every passenger has their own 32-inch OLED display – a world first.
These Ultra High Definition (4K) monitors are way ahead of what some airlines offer in first class, let alone business. Watch TV box sets until your heart’s content, browse through the latest film releases, or catch up on global news.
Sound quality is equally fabulous. Headrests are fitted with speakers from French audio experts Devialet that produce sound quality akin to a top-of-the-range surround-sound system (without disturbing your neighbour). Although headphones are provided too, and they are very good indeed.
Each suite includes various charging possibilities: USB-C, USB-A, and AC outlets. However, the speed of wireless charging may vary depending on your device.
Business Elite customers benefit from fast gate-to-gate internet (Wi-Fi). This allows them to make video calls, stream content, or work productively from the moment they board until they touch down.
Future Enhancements: A Glimpse at Riyadh Air First Class
Although Riyadh Air’s 787-9 currently has Business Elite as its highest cabin class, the airline will be adding First Class to its long-haul fleet – starting with the forthcoming Boeing 777X.
These top-end suites will compete with some of the most luxurious products in the skies. Wxpect fully enclosed private spaces, big beds, dine-on-demand meal service, and cutting-edge entertainment options.
Riyadh Air is known for not doing things by halves. It combines design flair with high-tech features. Think doors that open automatically, the option to pre-order meals via an app – and more.
If this ethos carries over to First Class, passengers could be in for a treat. Plus, it’s likely the carrier wants something special to reflect Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 plan. It is a part of efforts around world-class hospitality up to (and beyond) the next decade.
Bottom Line
Riyadh Air’s Business Elite isn’t just another business class product. It’s a total reinvention of how amazing flying premium can be. This aligns perfectly with Vision 2030’s pledge to make Saudi Arabia a global centre of innovation and luxury.
As Riyadh Air grows its network, lounges, and long-haul fleet, Business Elite looks set to become the jewel in its premium offering. It has a cabin that doesn’t just compete but beats other cabins.
Plus, book through Simply Business Class and you could save up to 50% off this one-of-a-kind experience! Luxury travel deals like these don’t come around often.
