While once considered a closed-off country to foreigners, the Middle Eastern nation of Saudi Arabia has been experiencing its own spike in tourism over the last half-decade. The 30 million international visitors that its foreign office recorded in 2024 is an increase of approximately 6% while similar spikes have been seen every year since countries started opening up borders post-pandemic.
The rising numbers come as Saudi Arabia took several steps to grow its tourism industry by investing in new resorts like Diriyah and AlUla and loosening up once-strict entry requirements (citizens of 66 countries have been able to apply for a visa online since 2019).
As a result, multiple airlines have also been looking ahead in expectation of growing demand. In 2024, Atlanta-based Delta Air Lines signed a partnership with new Saudi government-owned airline Riyadh Air to eventually share codeshare flights into the United States that the latter eventually plans to launch. The airline has not yet begun service and is set to launch its first flight to London by the end of 2025.
Delta to launch new flight to Riyadh, Saudi Arabia by October 2026
In an even bigger step of expansion into the country, Delta has just announced a new flight between Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL) and Riyadh King Khalid International Airport (RUH) that it expects to start running in October 2026.
“Our new flights will connect customers to this dynamic, fast-growing region while delivering the care, comfort and reliability they expect,” Delta CEO Ed Bastian said in a statement on the flashy new route. “It reflects our bold vision to create meaningful opportunities and experiences in every corner of the world in the years ahead.”
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The flight will run on an Airbus A350-900 and have the Delta One business class alongside a main cabin and premium economy. According to Delta, the new route was chosen as the flow of both business and leisure travel between the United States and Saudi Arabia increases.
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Americans ready to travel to Saudi Arabia, Delta says
The new route is a major development in connectivity as Delta will be the first and only U.S. carrier to run a direct flight to Saudi Arabia. United and American Airlines run flights to more common Middle Eastern destinations like Dubai and Doha; any travelers to Saudi Arabia typically connect through United and American Airlines codeshare partnerships with Emirates and Qatar Airways.
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At a Fortune conference in Riyadh, Bastian said that he believes the demand for travel to Saudi Arabia is there (while its status as an absolute monarchy makes some travelers hesitant, the country has been trying to reposition yourself as both an aviation hub and international travel destination akin to Dubai). Saudi Arabian Minister of Tourism His Excellency Ahmed Al-Khateeb said that his government agency also “look[s] forward to the opportunities this service will create for travelers 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,” Al-Khateeb said in the rest of his statement.
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