Delta to launch first non-stop flights to Saudi Arabia

Delta Air Lines will launch its first non-stop service linking the US and Saudi Arabia with a new Atlanta-Riyadh route starting October 2026. 

 

Operating three times a week, the flight will connect Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL) directly to Riyadh King Khalid International Airport (RUH), marking a significant milestone in Delta’s global expansion.

 

The new service comes on the heels of Delta’s strategic partnership with Riyadh Air, announced in July 2024, and represents one of the airline’s longest flights, spanning more than 7,000 miles. 

 

This route not only opens direct access for Saudi travellers to the US but also provides seamless one-stop connections to more than 150 destinations across Delta’s extensive network.

 

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Delta will operate the Atlanta-Riyadh route using its Airbus A350-900 aircraft, offering a range of in-flight experiences. These include Delta One, the airline’s premium cabin with lie-flat seats, chef-curated meals, and exclusive Missoni-designed amenity kits. 

 

Passengers can also choose from Delta Premium Select, featuring wider seats with extra recline and enhanced amenities, and Delta Comfort, which offers additional legroom, priority boarding, and dedicated overhead bin space.

 

Commenting on the launch, Ed Bastian, Delta’s CEO, said: “Our new flights will connect customers to this dynamic, fast-growing region while delivering the care, comfort and reliability they expect.”

 

His Excellency Ahmed Al-Khateeb, Minister of Tourism for the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, added: "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.” 

 

Delta’s Riyadh service is the latest addition to its expanding global network, which already covers more than 300 destinations. 

 

For more information, visit delta.com