Delta 1st US airline to open Riyadh route as Saudi subsidies tempt international airlines
October 28, 2025
Delta Air Lines is set to become the first US carrier to serve Saudi Arabia directly, announcing plans for nonstop flights between Atlanta and Riyadh for 2026. The flights will be the first-ever nonstop service by a US airline to the Kingdom.
While the service speaks volumes about Delta’s confidence in the success of the route, perhaps the risk exposure is not as significant as with most long-haul launches.
Saudi Arabia is offering a growing package of financial incentives designed to attract foreign airlines, part of its Vision 2030 strategy to diversify the Kingdom’s GDP.
Central to this push is the Air Connectivity Program (ACP), a government-backed initiative that identifies and supports routes likely to stimulate inbound tourism and business travel.
Through the ACP, subsidies available to new connecting airlines can drive down the risk of a new route launch, ensuring it is profitable regardless of its performance.
Delta to fly from Atlanta to Riyadh
Delta’s new Riyadh service is scheduled to operate three times weekly with Airbus A350-900s, starting in October 2026. The route will be one of Delta’s longest at over 7,000 miles.
gives Delta an early foothold in a market being actively reshaped by government-backed subsidies, route start-up funding and reduced airport charges aimed at transforming Riyadh into a competitive global hub.
It also comes as Delta’s partner Riyadh Air begins operations, starting with flights on the Riyadh-London Heathrow route this week.
It’s a risky play for the Atlanta airline. As a point-to-point connection, its success is reliant on Americans wanting to visit Riyadh and Saudi’s wanting to go to Atlanta (and beyond).
Speaking to Fortune recently, Delta’s chief executive, Ed Bastian, forecast eventual success. “It’ll start slow,” he said. “But I believe it’s going to gain popularity.”
Saudi ACP incentives drive new market entries
Officials have made no secret of their intent to draw international operators, and the Saudi leadership has rolled out support schemes as part of a broader campaign to triple passenger traffic and attract 150 million visitors annually by 2030.
The government’s aviation strategy is understood to include targeted financial aid for new routes. It has resulted in dozens of new routes from Riyadh and Jeddah to cities in Europe and Asia launching in recent years.
For airlines like Delta, a healthy package of incentives could alleviate any commercial concerns about new routes. Delta has not disclosed details of its agreement with Saudi authorities, but the Atlanta–Riyadh route aligns with a series of similar announcements from European and Asian airlines.
These include Air France and Virgin Atlantic, which have launched flights to Riyadh, as well as Air China, China Eastern, and China Southern.
Delta forges closer ties with Riyadh Air
The route also deepens Delta’s newly formed partnership with Riyadh Air, the Saudi start-up carrier being launched by the Public Investment Fund.
The two airlines are developing a strategic alliance that will include codeshares and aligned schedules, enabling seamless connections through each carrier’s respective hubs.
It also encompasses loyalty, customer experience, digital transformation and broader aviation services such as maintenance, repair and overhaul services, ground handling and training.
For Riyadh Air, which aims to begin scheduled commercial flying with paying passengers by the end of 2025 (rather than the operational validation programme currently underway) and reach more than 100 destinations within a decade, Delta’s arrival represents a validation of the Kingdom’s aviation strategy.
The collaboration is expected to channel US business and leisure traffic into Saudi Arabia while giving Delta passengers access to emerging destinations across the Middle East and beyond.
Bastian said the new route “marks a key step in Delta’s global growth as we start our second century of flight”.
He added: “Our new flights will connect customers to this dynamic, fast-growing region while delivering the care, comfort and reliability they expect. It reflects our bold vision to create meaningful opportunities and experiences in every corner of the world in the years ahead.”
Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 ambitions
Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 plan identifies aviation as a key part of the national diversification efforts, backed by multi-billion-dollar infrastructure projects, as the country looks to a post-oil future.
Expanding direct air links is central to those ambitions, as the country works to shift global perceptions and boost inbound tourism.
The Atlanta–Riyadh link will place Delta in direct competition with the established Gulf carriers that currently dominate east-west traffic flows.
The thinking goes that Delta’s early entry, coupled with any financial incentives on offer, positions it well to capture premium business travel and tap into future growth in Saudi tourism and pilgrimage sectors.
Delta said in a statement announcing the route that launching service to Riyadh is a “strategic step forward, one that strengthens ties between the US and a region gaining influence in global markets. This new route isn’t just about expanding reach; it’s about enabling meaningful connections. Whether for business, tourism or cultural exchange, Delta’s presence in Riyadh opens doors to new possibilities for travellers.”
Ahmed Al-Khateeb, Minister of Tourism for the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, said: “We welcome Delta to Riyadh and look forward to the opportunities this service will create for travellers worldwide.
“Delta’s new nonstop flights between Atlanta and Riyadh mark a significant milestone in strengthening global connectivity between our nations and will open new doors for tourism and cultural exchange while driving business and innovation.”
Featured image: Delta
