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Delta Air Lines Makes History with First-Ever Direct Flights to Saudi Arabia
Atlanta, GA – In a groundbreaking move set to redefine international travel, Delta Air Lines has announced the launch of the first-ever direct flights between the United States and Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. This historic new route, unveiled at the Fortune Global Forum in Riyadh, signifies a major leap forward in relations between the two nations and underscores Saudi Arabia’s ambitious push to become a global aviation powerhouse.
Delta CEO Ed Bastian acknowledged the “natural hurdles” that might make American travelers hesitant about visiting, citing a history of cultural and political tensions. However, he expressed optimism, highlighting Saudi Arabia’s “amazing display” of diverse tourism opportunities and the “embracing” culture of warm hospitality. Bastian admitted that people are often “amazed” when he shares that Riyadh is one of his favorite recent travel destinations, and he’s prepared to be patient as the route gains popularity.
This initiative aligns perfectly with Saudi Arabia’s “Vision 2030” plan, spearheaded by Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman Al Saud, which aims to diversify the country’s economy away from oil and toward tourism, investment, and technology. Historically, visiting Saudi Arabia has presented challenges, a reality the Crown Prince is actively working to change.
A Growing Middle Eastern Hub
The surge in business travel to Riyadh’s expanding financial district has made direct connectivity increasingly vital for global corporations. Saudi Arabia has also been actively working to attract major multinational regional headquarters. Further solidifying its position as an aviation hub, the kingdom recently launched its new national carrier, Riyadh Air, which has already partnered with Delta.
Riyadh Air CEO Tony Douglas, who previously led Etihad Airways, celebrated the new airline’s inaugural flight to London’s Heathrow just the day before the announcement. His appointment in 2023 was part of the broader effort to achieve Vision 2030’s goal of attracting 100 million visitors annually by 2030. Riyadh Air is projected to contribute an estimated $20 billion to Saudi Arabia’s non-oil growth and create over 200,000 jobs.
Delta’s new service will connect Atlanta, its largest international gateway, directly to King Khalid International Airport (RUH) in Riyadh. Prior to this, no U.S. carrier had offered consistent direct service to Saudi Arabia, with past offerings by American and United involving connections in Europe or joint ventures.
This direct route follows a memorandum of understanding signed in July 2024 between Delta and Riyadh Air, aimed at fostering strategic cooperation and enhancing benefits for customers traveling between North America, Saudi Arabia, and beyond. Bastian expressed enthusiasm for the “building and expanding this partnership in the months and years ahead,” acknowledging the transformative work being done by the Riyadh Air team and the Public Investment Fund to reshape the kingdom’s transportation economy.