Riyadh Air has said it plans to launch as the ‘world’s first AI-native airline'.
“Designed from the ground up without legacy patch work, these AI-driven operations provide the foundation to transform guest and employee experiences and set a new benchmark for innovation in the aviation industry,” Riyadh Air said in a statement.
The PIF-owned airline has partnered with IBM to help bring the initiative into fruition.
“Riyadh Air is leveraging IBM Consulting's deep industry and technical expertise, broad partner ecosystem, and IBM watsonx Orchestrate to operate as an AI-native enterprise from day one,” the airline said. “IBM Consulting served as the orchestrator behind this ambitious AI vision, bringing together 59 workstreams and more than 60 partners, including Adobe, Apple, FLYR, and Microsoft.”
The airline is using IBM's AI-powered delivery platform Consulting Advantage to “accelerate value creation”.
Riyadh Air's first commercial service is expected in early 2026. The airline launched its inaugural flight on October 26, flying from London Heathrow to Riyadh onboard its 787-9 Dreamliner technical spare aircraft. The flight was only on sale to select groups and Riyadh Air employees.
This selective phase is to ensure its “unparalleled operational readiness", the start-up airline said.
The airline was founded in 2023, stating it would launch as a ‘digitally native’ airline.
“We had a clear choice — be the last airline built on legacy technology or the first built on the platforms that will define the next decade of aviation,” said Riyadh Air chief financial officer Adam Boukadida. “With IBM, we've stripped out 50 years of legacy in a single stroke.”
“By embedding AI into the very foundation of its operations, Riyadh Air is setting a new blueprint for what it means to build a modern, adaptive enterprise from the ground up,” said IBM Consulting SVP Mohamad Ali.
The partnership will see the airline focus on building intelligent employee workflows, customer care, and crew enablement using generative and autonomous AI. Riyadh Air will also use such technology to improve its efficiency, decision-making and innovation.