- Saudi Arabia’s digital native national carrier celebrates its inaugural non-stop service from King Khalid International Airport (RUH) to Bangkok’s Suvarnabhumi Airport (BKK).
- Inaugural ceremonies at King Khalid International Airport and Suvarnabhumi Airport included top-level government delegates from Saudi Arabia and Thailand, alongside Riyadh Air leadership and senior aviation and tourism representatives.
- The three-times-weekly service moves to daily service to mid- November and is operated by Riyadh Air’s state-of-the-art Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner features four distinct cabin classes.
- Marking the 12th inaugural destination since its launch flight in June 2026, Riyadh Air’s three-times-weekly service to Bangkok will serve as a leisure and economic bridge between Saudi Arabia and Thailand.
Riyadh, Saudi Arabia – September 4th, 2026 – Riyadh Air, Saudi Arabia’s world-class full-service national carrier, has officially launched its inaugural non-stop flight connecting Riyadh’s King Khalid International Airport (RUH) to Bangkok’s Suvarnabhumi Airport (BKK). The milestone marks the airline’s latest gateway into Southeast Asia, bringing guests an elevated, digitally led travel experience while strengthening air links between the Kingdom and Thailand.
The historic inaugural departure, flight RX0853, departed Riyadh last night at 11:15 PM and arrived in Bangkok at 10:35 AM this morning, local time. The milestone was marked by official ceremonies at both King Khalid International Airport and Suvarnabhumi Airport, attended by top-level government delegates from Saudi Arabia and Thailand, alongside Riyadh Air leadership and senior aviation and tourism representatives.
Tony Douglas, Chief Executive Officer of Riyadh Air, said: “Bangkok is an extraordinary global hub for leisure and trade, by establishing this direct link between these vibrant capitals we are not only fulfilling our promise to connect Riyadh to the world, but also supporting Saudi Vision 2030 by driving two-way tourism, business exchange, and cultural connections between Saudi Arabia and Thailand. The route’s importance is underlined by the fact that we will be moving to a daily service by mid-November, further highlighting the strength of the connectivity that Riyadh Air is bringing to both cities.”
Mrs. Chiravadee Khunsub, TAT Deputy Governor for International Marketing – Europe, the Americas, the Middle East and Africa, said: “The Riyadh–Bangkok service adds direct capacity at an important time for TAT’s development of Saudi Arabia and the wider Middle East. It gives travellers more convenient access to Bangkok and destinations across Thailand while helping TAT and our partners reach high-value family, luxury, wellness and medical segments more effectively. Stronger direct connectivity is central to converting market potential into sustained visitor growth and wider tourism benefits.”
Marking as the 12th inaugural destination since its launch flight in June 2026, Riyadh Air’s three-times-weekly service to Bangkok will serve as a leisure and economic bridge between Saudi Arabia and Thailand. At the government level, the first Saudi–Thai Coordination Council in January 2025 highlighted a sixfold increase in mutual tourist visits over the preceding three years, alongside a 25% increase in bilateral trade and investments totalling more than US$3.5 billion.
That momentum is being reinforced by Thailand’s growing focus on the Middle East as a high-value tourism market. According to data from the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT), arrivals from the Middle East and Africa exceeded one million for the first time in 2025, with Thailand welcoming 210,000 visitors from the Middle East in the first half of 2026.
Flight schedule, all local time: (refer to riyadhair.com for updated schedules):
| Flight # | Inaugural | From | Depart | To | Arrive | Freq. | |
| 1 | RX0853 | Sep 2 | King Khalid International Airport (RUH) | 23:15 | Suvarnabhumi Airport (BKK) | 10:35 (+1) | 3 X (Mon, Wed, Fri) |
| 2 | RX0854 | Sep 3 | Suvarnabhumi Airport (BKK) | 16:55 | King Khalid International Airport (RUH) | 20:15 | 3 X (Tue, Thu, Sat) |
| 3 | RX 0853 | Oct 26 | King Khalid International Airport (RUH) | 22:15 | Suvarnabhumi Airport (BKK) | 09:05 | 4 X (Sun, Mon, Wed, Fri) |
| 4 | RX 0854 | Oct 27 | Suvarnabhumi Airport (BKK) | 16:55 | King Khalid International Airport (RUH) | 20:15 | 4 X (Mon, Tue, Thu, Sat) |
| 5 | RX0853 | Nov 9 | King Khalid International Airport (RUH) | 22:15 | Suvarnabhumi Airport (BKK) | 09:05 | Daily |
| 6 | RX 0854 | Nov 9 | Suvarnabhumi Airport (BKK) | 16:55 | King Khalid International Airport (RUH) | 20:15 | Daily |
Tickets are available through the Riyadh Air app, riyadhair.com, and preferred travel providers and platforms. Guests are also invited to join Riyadh Air’s lifestyle membership program, Sfeer, to receive a ‘Best Offer Guarantee’ and complimentary onboard Wi-Fi while earning rewards from their first flight.
A World-Class Travel Experience
Riyadh Air’s new Boeing 787-9 Dreamliners will deliver premium comfort across Business Elite, Business, Premium Economy and Economy cabins. Guests will experience ergonomic seating, enhanced privacy and storage, advanced in-flight entertainment through Panasonic Avionics’ Astrova system, mobile-first connectivity, wireless listening, elevated dining, Saudi-made Kayanee amenities, bespoke Disney kits for children and a five-sense wellness program designed to help every guest arrive refreshed.
Sfeer: for a generation in motion
Guests can unlock exclusive benefits by joining Sfeer, Riyadh Air’s loyalty program. The name derives from the Arabic word for Ambassador and the English word sphere, reflecting the generous spirit of Saudi Arabia while building a global community of travelers. Members receive a Best Offer Guarantee, no points expiry and complimentary onboard Wi-Fi, while early members join The Founders Club with priority access to bookings on new routes and other benefits.