Virgin Atlantic has officially launched its first-ever flight into Saudi Arabia, as flight VS242 touched down ahead of schedule at 06:50 at Riyadh’s King Khalid International Airport.
The Airbus A330neo arrived from London Heathrow with the airline’s founder, Sir Richard Branson, on board, marking a significant milestone in the airline’s global expansion.
Supporting Vision 2030 and Saudi’s Tourism Goals
The new daily route is a key development in support of Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030, which aims to position the Kingdom as a world-class destination for tourism and investment. With a landscape that spans desert dunes, lush highlands, and the pristine Saudi Red Sea coastline, Saudi Arabia continues to attract global attention.
Its cultural calendar is also becoming a major draw. Events like the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix and the MDLBEAST music festival contribute to a growing influx of international visitors. Looking ahead, the Kingdom’s hosting of the FIFA World Cup in 2034 is expected to further elevate its global profile.
Transforming Riyadh into a Global Hub
Riyadh has rapidly developed into a hub for global events, known for its dynamic entertainment scene, shopping, and dining. The Kingdom is also gaining recognition as a safe and welcoming destination, with increasing interest from European travelers.
The arrival of Virgin Atlantic signals the Virgin Group’s broader expansion into Saudi Arabia. The move is expected to foster new opportunities in tourism, innovation, and strategic partnerships.
“This is the Next Chapter for Saudi”
His Excellency Ahmed Al Khateeb, Minister for Tourism, welcomed the new route, saying:
“Virgin Atlantic’s arrival into Saudi signifies the next chapter in the country’s emergence as a premier global destination. It opens the doors for more tourists from the UK and beyond to discover our diverse landscapes, rich heritage and unique experience.
“Saudi is inspiring tourists from across the globe. In 2024 alone, Saudi welcomed 128 million air passengers – marking a growth rate of 15% compared to 2023 – demonstrating our increasing appeal as a leading destination and travel hub.”
“From Riyadh, a thriving hub of events, sports, and lifestyle, to the serene wellness retreats of AlUla and the untouched beauty of the Saudi Red Sea, Saudi is rapidly emerging as one of the world’s most vibrant and sought-after tourism destinations.”
“Virgin Atlantic’s launch into Saudi is more than just a new route—it’s a perfect complement to Saudi’s growing global tourism appeal. With the UK as one of our top priority markets and air travel between our nations forecast to grow by 24% by 2035, this partnership marks a new chapter in connectivity and opportunity.”
“We look forward to working closely with Sir Richard Branson and the Virgin Group in bringing more visionary tourism offerings to Saudi.”
Aviation Strategy in Action
His Excellency Abdulaziz bin Abdullah Al-Duailej, President of the General Authority of Civil Aviation (GACA), described the launch as a key moment for the Kingdom’s aviation strategy: “The inauguration of Virgin Atlantic’s daily service between London Heathrow and King Khalid International Airport is a significant milestone in the Saudi Aviation Strategy, which is connecting Saudi Arabia with the world.”
“GACA welcomes the entry of airlines such as Virgin Atlantic into the Saudi market, as more competition delivers greater choice, value and performance for passengers. We look forward to the positive impact this route will have on tourism, trade, and cultural exchange between Saudi Arabia and the United Kingdom.”
Boosting Trade and Global Connectivity
Saudi Arabia, the world’s 20th largest economy and the largest in the Middle East, continues to grow its global trade and tourism ties. In 2023, trade between the UK and Saudi Arabia reached £17.1 billion, with an ambition to hit £30 billion by 2030.
Air travel between the two nations is projected to grow by 24% from 2019 to 2035. Virgin Atlantic’s Riyadh route will serve not only tourists and business travelers, but also the VFR (visiting friends and relatives) market, which has grown significantly with a fivefold increase in Saudis living in the UK from 2000 to 2018.
World-Class Travel Experience on the A330neo
Virgin Atlantic now operates daily flights to Riyadh on its state-of-the-art A330neo aircraft—the newest in its fleet. Founded by Sir Richard Branson in 1984, the airline is renowned for its innovation and customer service.
The airline offers three distinct cabin experiences: Upper Class, Premium, and Economy, each with complimentary food and drink, award-winning cabin crew service, and over 300 hours of entertainment. All aircraft are equipped with full Wi-Fi connectivity, supporting a seamless travel experience.
The new route also allows travelers from Saudi Arabia to connect easily to 12 destinations across North America through Virgin Atlantic and Delta networks, including Atlanta, New York, Los Angeles, Miami, Seattle, Boston, and Detroit.
