HAMBURG— Riyadh Air (RX) has shared new photos showing its first Airbus A321neo taking shape during final assembly at Airbus’ facility in Hamburg, Germany. The aircraft is the first of 60 A321neo Family jets ordered by Riyadh Air (RX) as the Saudi carrier expands beyond its Boeing 787-9 fleet.
The images, posted by Riyadh Air on September 2, show the single-aisle aircraft undergoing completion work with its distinctive tail design already applied. The arrival of the A321neo will give the airline a smaller aircraft alongside its long-haul Dreamliners, supporting a broader range of regional and international routes.
Riyadh Air A321neo Takes Shape
The first Riyadh Air A321neo is expected to be delivered before the end of 2026. The aircraft is being completed at Airbus’ Hamburg site, where the airframe is progressing through the final stages before entering testing and delivery preparations.
Riyadh Air selected CFM International LEAP-1A engines for its A321neo fleet in November 2025. The airline placed a firm order for 120 engines, including spares, to power its 60 Airbus aircraft.
Airbus says the A321neo delivers more than 20% lower fuel consumption and CO₂ emissions than the previous-generation A321ceo. The aircraft also uses new-generation engines and Sharklets to improve efficiency.
60 Jets On Order
Riyadh Air formally announced its order for 60 Airbus A321neo Family aircraft at the Future Investment Initiative in Riyadh (RUH) on October 30, 2024.
The deal established Airbus as the supplier of the carrier’s narrowbody fleet after Riyadh Air had already committed to Boeing 787 aircraft.
The A321neo order forms an important part of Riyadh Air’s planned fleet mix. The airline intends to use smaller aircraft on routes where the capacity of the 787-9 would not be appropriate, while also giving it greater flexibility to develop new markets.
Executive Traveller reported that the A321 fleet will feature two-abreast premium recliner seats in business class and a conventional 3-3 economy layout.
The publication also reported that half of the 60-aircraft order will be configured as longer-range A321LRs, although Riyadh Air has not publicly detailed every aircraft configuration.
Riyadh Air Fleet
The A321neo arrives as Riyadh Air rapidly builds its initial fleet around the Boeing 787-9. The airline received its first two 787-9 Dreamliners in Saudi Arabia on June 5, 2026, marking a major step in its transition from start-up preparations to commercial operations.
Riyadh Air has since continued adding Dreamliners while expanding its network. In July, Boeing confirmed that the airline had exercised options for 28 additional 787 aircraft, including the conversion of 20 aircraft to the larger 787-10.
The carrier is also building a future Airbus widebody fleet. Riyadh Air has firmed up 31 Airbus A350-1000 aircraft, including six additional jets confirmed at the 2026 Farnborough International Airshow, AeroTime flagged.
With its first A321neo now approaching completion, Riyadh Air is moving closer to operating a mixed fleet of narrowbody and widebody aircraft.
The new Airbus jets are expected to become a key part of the airline’s regional network as it works toward its long-term goal of serving more than 100 destinations by 2030.
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