Delta Air Lines, the world’s leading premium airline, and Riyadh Air, Saudi Arabia’s innovative new full-service global carrier, have signed a Strategic Cooperation Memorandum of Understanding with the goal of introducing a broad range of benefits for customers traveling between North America, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and other destinations.
Delta Air Lines announced a new partnership with the Saudi Arabian airline Riyadh Air to become exclusive partners in North America, Riyadh and beyond.
The two airlines signed a Strategic Cooperation Memorandum of Understanding at a ceremony at Delta’s World Headquarters in Atlanta, Georgia.
The partnership is a long-term agreement that includes interline and codeshare connectivity and much more, including loyalty and customer experience offerings. Delta customers will enjoy future nonstop service on Delta between airports in the U.S. and Riyadh’s King Khalid International Airport. It will also offer Riyadh Air customers Delta’s network in North America.
This collaboration with Riyadh Air Line, a Saudi Arabian company, will advance Delta’s global connectivity goals and provide our customers flying to and from the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia with a plethora of new options, advantages, and destinations,” stated Delta CEO Ed Bastian. First and foremost, we are excited to develop and grow our relationship with Riyadh Air because we both share a dedication to offering an exceptional customer experience at Delta. We are grateful for the chance to collaborate with the Public Investment Fund of Saudi Arabia and the Riyadh Air team as they revolutionize the Kingdom’s transportation industry.
Saudi Arabia is experiencing a travel investment boom, and Riyadh Air is expected to take full advantage when it begins operating in 2025. The kingdom is investing $800 billion into the tourism sector.
Riyadh Air, is committed to building a premier carrier for customers traveling to and from the Middle East, with its base of operations in Riyadh, the capital of Saudi Arabia. Delta, which will mark its 100th anniversary next year, is the most-awarded U.S. airline with an industry-leading global network and an unrivaled reputation for outstanding customer service and operational excellence.
“We look forward to enjoying a very warm and productive relationship with Delta Air Lines, one of the largest and most successful airlines in the world,” said Riyadh Air CEO Tony Douglas. “Riyadh Air and Delta Air Lines share common goals and pursue the highest standards in many areas including guest experience, loyalty, and sustainability, built upon great networks and strong connectivity.”
“This partnership with Riyadh Air will further Delta’s mission of connecting the world and open an array of new choices, benefits and destinations for our customers traveling to and from the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia,” said Delta CEO Ed Bastian. “Most importantly, Riyadh Air shares Delta’s commitment to providing an elevated customer experience, which is why we’re looking forward to building and expanding this partnership in the months and years ahead. We appreciate the opportunity to work with the Riyadh Air team and the Public Investment Fund of Saudi Arabia as they transform the transportation economy in the Kingdom.”
“We look forward to enjoying a very warm and productive relationship with Delta Air Lines, one of the largest and most successful airlines in the world. Riyadh Air and Delta Air Lines share common goals and pursue the highest standards in many areas including guest experience, loyalty, and sustainability, built upon great networks and strong connectivity,” said Riyadh Air CEO Tony Douglas.
The agreement envisions a long-term relationship, subject to regulatory approvals, that includes interline and code share connectivity, as well as a deeper partnership encompassing loyalty, customer experience, digital transformation and broader aviation services such as maintenance, repair and overhaul services, ground handling and training. In the future, the airlines intend to explore an immunized joint venture to further expand the partnership and allow collaboration on network planning and growth in the region. Both airlines are committed to driving the best sustainability practices throughout their operations as they transform the future of travel.
“It’s fitting that Riyadh Air will begin its journey the same year that Delta launches our second century of flight,” Bastian said. “We’ll have many opportunities to learn from each other and become better airlines for our mutual customers, our employees, our investors and our communities as we fly forward together.”
