Riyadh Air leases Boeing jet for training; no passenger service planned

The primary purpose of this leased aircraft is for non-passenger tasks such as pilot training and continuing the air operator certificate process. It may also be used for charter flights, like transporting its sponsored soccer team, Atlético de Madrid. The airline emphasizes that it is not intended for passenger flights but could serve as a substitute if necessary due to technical issues with one of their new Boeing 787s.

Riyadh Air noted that their new cabin is not installed on this leased aircraft, which retains its existing cabin configuration. Simple Flying reports that the aircraft comes from Oman Air's fleet and identifies it as A4O-SD, currently located in Abu Dhabi after arriving from Shanghai Pudong Airport.

The cabin layout includes 30 business class seats arranged in five rows of 2-2-2 suites with direct aisle access through staggering and 258 economy class seats in a 3-3-3 arrangement. These are Collins Aerospace Apex suites in business class and Collins-manufactured seats in economy class.

Before launching services, Riyadh Air must introduce its seating concept, likely featuring a bespoke business class product akin to Qatar Airways' QSuite. Additionally, they await delivery of their first two owned Boeing 787-9s expected mid-2025.

A previously showcased purple-liveried Boeing 787 is not part of Riyadh Air's operational fleet but serves promotional purposes only.