Riyadh Air has begun flying between the Saudi capital and Manchester Airport, and the Riyadh Air Manchester flights give companies across the North of England their first direct link to Riyadh on the Kingdom’s national carrier. The inaugural service operated on Thursday 17 September 2026.
Manchester is the airline’s second destination in the United Kingdom, after London services began on 10 June 2026, and its 14th worldwide. Inaugural flight RX0417 left King Khalid International Airport (RUH) at 1.30am local time and landed at Manchester Airport (MAN) at 6.40am local time.
When do the Riyadh Air Manchester flights operate?
The Riyadh Air flight schedule puts the non-stop service in the air every Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday. The return leg, RX0418, leaves Manchester at 8.40am local time and is due into Riyadh at 5.20pm local time, landing travellers in the Saudi capital in the early evening. The 6.40am arrival into Manchester works the same way in reverse, leaving the day free for meetings in the city centre or a connection onwards.
The practical gain for employers in the North is the removal of a change of aircraft. Until now, getting staff to the Kingdom from Manchester meant a connection through a Gulf hub or a domestic hop to Heathrow, with the extra hours and the extra hotel night that either option can involve. Manchester Airport also draws from Liverpool, Leeds and Sheffield, and feeds onward travel to North Wales and Scotland, so the catchment for these Manchester to Riyadh direct flights stretches well beyond Greater Manchester. Riyadh Air opened seats on the route in the summer before confirming the start date.
Onward connections and business travel to Saudi Arabia
Riyadh Air is pitching the route as much for what sits beyond Riyadh as for the Saudi capital itself. Passengers can pick up onward services to Jeddah and to points in Asia including Bangkok, Islamabad, Kuala Lumpur and Manila, which gives travel managers in the North a second long-haul option for itineraries that would otherwise begin in London. Anyone routing through the hub will also find King Khalid International’s silent airport model in operation.
Tony Douglas, CEO of Riyadh Air, said: “It’s incredibly exciting to be launching our inaugural flight to Manchester, our second destination in the UK and 14th worldwide. Manchester is a key gateway from where our guests can fly to cities in the Middle East and Asia in addition to being a popular cultural destination for visitors from across our growing network. We look forward to welcoming guests to fly on our modern, premium aircraft and experience genuine Saudi hospitality, known locally as Hafawa.”
The service was developed with Saudi Arabia’s Air Connectivity Program (ACP), the executive enabler of the National Tourism and Aviation Strategies, and extends the airline’s UK presence into Northern England on the back of its London route. Both services support the Kingdom’s Vision 2030 targets for tourism growth and international connectivity, and together they widen the choice for business travel to Saudi Arabia from either end of the country.
What travellers get on board
The route is flown by Riyadh Air’s new Boeing 787-9 Dreamliners, configured with four cabins: Business Elite, Business, Premium Economy and Economy. The aircraft carry ergonomic seating with additional privacy and storage, Panasonic Avionics’ Astrova in-flight entertainment system, mobile-first connectivity and wireless listening.
Also on board are Saudi-made Kayanee amenities, bespoke Disney kits for children and a five-sense wellness programme that the airline says is designed to help every guest arrive refreshed. The overnight timing out of Riyadh is the point for anyone with meetings waiting the next morning.
Manchester itself is a recognised centre for commerce, culture, education and sport, and the airline notes the region’s draw for inbound visitors too, from the Yorkshire Moors and the Peak District to the Lake District. For readers planning a trip in the other direction, our guide to 48 hours in Manchester covers where to stay and meet.
Fares and timings for the Riyadh Air Manchester flights are listed on the airline’s Manchester route page, with route announcements published through the carrier’s media hub.
