Riyadh Air, authorized to fly to the U.S., aims to fly to more than 100 destinations

 Report by : Gan Yung Chyan, KUCINTA SETIA         Image : Riyadh Air 

On 16 June 2026 local time, Riyadh Air received approval from the U.S. Department of Transportation to operate flights between Saudi Arabia and the United States.

The U.S. Department of Transportation stated that this authorization is in the public interest.

Riyadh Air submitted its application to the U.S. Department of Transportation in May 2026, outlining its ambitious goal of building a global route network covering more than 100 international destinations by 2030.

While specific launch dates and routes have not yet been announced, this clears the way for its future flights to the United States. Riyadh Air has also established partnerships or is planning collaborations with several international airlines, including Delta Air Lines, to advance its long-haul route network strategy.

Riyadh Air CEO Tony Douglas stated last week that with the delivery of new aircraft, the fleet is expected to grow to eight aircraft by the end of July, with plans to launch routes to 22 cities by March 2027.

Riyadh Air has already announced routes to Cairo, Dubai, Jeddah, Madrid, and Manchester, with Indian cities potentially following suit. On 10 June 2026, Riyadh Airlines officially launched its Riyadh-London Heathrow route, its first route.

In early June, Riyadh Air received its first batch of three Boeing 787-9 aircraft. It has ordered a total of 72 Boeing 787-9 aircraft, 50 Airbus A350-1000 aircraft, and 60 Airbus A321neo aircraft.

Inflight Pictures : US-Bangla Airlines A330-300 as seen from KLIA Terminal 1

 Photo copyright by : Gan Yung Chyan, KUCINTA SETIA

ITE HK 2026 Inflight Pictures : HK Express A321neo

 Photo copyright by : Gan Yung Chyan, KUCINTA SETIA

Flydubai launches flight to Pokhara on 23 September 2026

 Report, photo copyright by : Gan Yung Chyan, KUCINTA SETIA

UAE low-cost airline Flydubai launches scheduled flight to Pokhara from Dubai on 23 September 2026.

On 23 September 2026, according to schedules, Flydubai flight FZ1165 departs from Dubai for Pokhara at 12 pm, touches down in Pokhara at 6.15 pm before taking off from Pokhara for Dubai under flight FZ1166 at 7.15 pm and arriving in Dubai at 10 pm.

Flydubai flies to Pokhara daily with its 737 MAX 8 aircraft.

Sun Phuquoc Airways launches flight to Suvarnabhumi on 8 August 2026

 Report, photo copyright by : Gan Yung Chyan, KUCINTA SETIA

Sun Phuquoc Airways launches flight from Phuquoc to Suvarnabhumi on 8 August 2026.

On 8 August 2026, according to schedules, Sun Phuquoc flight 9G701 departs from Phuquoc for Suvarnabhumi at 10.35 am, touches down in Suvarnabhumi at 11.55 am  before leaving Suvarnabhumi at 1.10 pm under flight 9G702 and arriving in Phuquoc at 2.30 pm.

Sun Phuquoc Airways flies to Suvarnabhumi from Phuquoc with its A320neo daily.

China Eastern launches flight to Cheongju on 30 July 2026

 Report, photo copyright by : Gan Yung Chyan, KUCINTA SETIA

China Eastern launches scheduled flight from Pudong to Cheongju on 30 July 2026 with its A320neo aircraft. It flies to Cheongju on Tuesdays, Thursdays and weekends.

The Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday flight schedules are as follows:-

China Eastern flight MU5083 departs from Pudong for Cheongju at 7.50 am, touches down in Cheongju at 10.50 am before leaving Cheongju under flight MU5084 for Pudong at 11.50 am and arriving in Pudong at 1.10 pm.

The Sunday flight schedules are as follows;-

Flight MU5083 leaves Pudong for Cheongju at 7.50 am, arrives in Cheongju at 11.10 am before taking off from Cheongju for Pudong at 12.10 am and landing in Pudong at 1.10 pm under flight MU5084.

Inflight Pictures : Vietnam Airlines 787-10 Dreamliner

 Photo copyright by : Gan Yung Chyan, KUCINTA SETIA

Riyadh Air announces five new routes with three Dreamliners delivered

 Report by : Gan Yung Chyan, KUCINTA SETIA         Image : Web Screenshot

Riyadh Air has announced the launch of five new routes from Riyadh to Jeddah, Dubai, Cairo, Madrid, and Manchester.

Furthermore, due to accelerated deliveries of Boeing 787-9 aircraft, the London Heathrow route, originally scheduled to open on 1 July 2026, has been brought forward to 10 June 2026, and tickets are on sale.

Currently, Riyadh Air has ordered 72 Boeing 787-9 Dreamliners, 50 Airbus A350-1000 aircraft, and 60 Airbus A321neo aircraft.

On 5 June 2026, the first two Boeing 787-9s of Riyadh Air received a grand welcome upon arrival, with the Saudi "Saudi Eagles" aerobatic team providing escort. The third Boeing 787-9 also arrived in Riyadh on 7 June 2026.

Riyadh Air's new Boeing 787-9 aircraft features a four-class configuration: Business Elite, Business Class, Premium Economy, and Economy Class.

Business Elite and Business Class feature a 1-2-1 fully lie-flat seating arrangement, equipped with AC power outlets (USB-C and USB-A) and immersive high-fidelity audio delivered directly to the headrests.

Premium Economy has a 2-3-2 configuration, featuring privacy headrest wings, additional storage space, and four USB-C charging ports; Economy Class has a 3-3-3 configuration, offering six-way adjustable headrests and two USB-C charging ports.

Inflight Review : Pelita Air Flight IP988; Inflight Pictures : Flight IP989

 Review, photo copyright by : Gan Yung Chyan, KUCINTA SETIA

Review : Pelita Air is a low-cost but free-meal service airline. Flights depart on time. There is only one standard free meal onboard its Flight IP988 to Changi from Cengkareng, i.e. milk custard bread, which is better than Cambodia Airways' free tasteless cake on the Sanya flight.

The safety cards are beautiful in design. The colourful barf bag is original open. Pelita Air is the second airline after Parata Air of South Korea to provide original open barf bags.

There is no inflight duty-free service on Pelita Air's international flight although Pelita Air provides PAS Sky Shop, its inflight duty-free magazine, in seat pockets. The duty-free items including the foldable tote bag with side pockets are only for sale onboard the airline's flights to Denpasar.

The air hostesses and host can speak English very well.

The outbound flight IP989 for Cengkareng also departs on time.

Pelita Air only flies once a day daily to Changi from Cengkareng at 7.20 am. It should increase its flight frequency to Changi to meet demand.

Book Pelita Air tickets on its web-site in Bahasa Indonesia or through third-party platforms such as Trip and Agoda.

Rating : ***