Riyadh Air (RX) is Saudi Arabia’s new national airline, established as part of the country’s wider aviation and economic transformation plans. Based in Riyadh, the carrier is being developed as a digitally focused, premium international airline with ambitions to connect Saudi Arabia to major destinations across Europe, Asia, Africa and beyond.
For pilots, Riyadh Air presents a particularly interesting opportunity because the airline is building its operation from the ground up. Rather than joining an established fleet and seniority structure, pilots have the opportunity to become part of the founding workforce and help establish the airline’s operating culture and procedures. Riyadh Air’s official careers site currently lists pilot vacancies and describes opportunities for professional development and career progression.
Salary information for Riyadh Air is less transparent than for established airlines, so the figures below should be treated as estimated 2026 compensation rather than a guaranteed company-wide pay scale. Recent recruitment information and pilot reports indicate that the package includes a substantial basic salary alongside housing, transport, flying pay and other allowances.
Riyadh Air First Officer Salary
In 2026, Riyadh Air first officers generally earn between SAR 550,000 and SAR 780,000 per year, approximately USD 147,000 to USD 208,000 annually. Reported recruitment terms for Boeing 787 first officers have indicated a basic salary of around USD 15,500 per month, before housing, transport and flying-related payments.
The overall package can therefore be considerably higher than the basic salary alone. Reported terms have included a housing allowance of approximately USD 5,300 per month, a transport allowance of around USD 1,300 per month, and additional flying pay based on credited hours. These figures have been reported by pilots rather than published as a universal official salary table, so actual compensation can vary according to contract and individual circumstances.
Wide-body first officers operating the Boeing 787 are expected to benefit from the airline’s long-haul expansion. Riyadh Air’s current recruitment listings include Boeing 787 first officer positions requiring at least 2,000 hours of multi-pilot experience.
Riyadh Air Captain Salary
Riyadh Air captains receive a considerably higher package because of their command responsibilities and extensive operating experience. In 2026, captains generally earn between SAR 900,000 and SAR 1.45 million per year, approximately USD 240,000 to USD 387,000 annually, when considering reported salary ranges and the various components of the package.
Recruitment reports have previously indicated basic monthly packages of around USD 15,500, together with substantial housing and transport allowances and additional flying pay. Separate industry reports have quoted wide-body captain compensation of up to approximately SAR 120,000 per month, or around USD 32,000, although this represents an upper-end package rather than a standard guaranteed salary.
Experienced Boeing 787 captains are particularly valuable during Riyadh Air’s initial growth phase. Current recruitment listings indicate that direct-entry Boeing 787 captains require an ATPL, at least 6,000 total flight hours, and substantial multi-engine experience.
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Benefits Enjoyed by Riyadh Air Pilots
Riyadh Air offers all its pilots the following benefits.
- Housing Allowance – Reported pilot contracts include a substantial monthly housing allowance rather than requiring pilots to use company-provided accommodation.
- Transport Allowance – Pilots can receive a separate transport allowance as part of their employment package.
- Tax-Advantaged Earnings – Saudi Arabia’s lack of individual personal income tax can make the overall take-home value particularly attractive to expatriate pilots.
- Medical Insurance – Reported contracts include private medical insurance, together with loss-of-licence protection.
- Annual Leave – Reported Riyadh Air pilot terms include approximately 42 days of annual leave.
- Performance Bonus – Pilots may be eligible for an annual performance and productivity bonus of up to two months’ basic salary.
- End-of-Service Benefit – Reported terms include an end-of-service benefit based on completed years of employment.
- Career Development – As a newly established airline, Riyadh Air offers pilots opportunities to progress into leadership, training and operational roles as the organisation grows.
What Aircraft do Riyadh Air Pilots Fly?
Riyadh Air’s initial operation is centred around the Boeing 787 Dreamliner, with the airline also developing Airbus A321neo and Airbus A350-1000 operations. Currently, the carrier has seven 787-9s in its fleet with 41 on order.
In addition, there are 60 Airbus A321neo aeroplanes and 31 units of the Airbus A350-1000 on order. Finally, there are also 20 Boeing 787-10s on order.
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Requirements to Become a Pilot for Riyadh Air
Riyadh Air’s first officers must fulfil the following requirements.
- Should have a minimum of 6,000 hours of total flying time on multi-crew, multi-engine aircraft, including at least 2,000 hours of recent command experience on widebody aircraft. Only time spent in the operating seat of turbojet aircraft will be considered.
- Must also hold a valid ICAO ATPL, an unrestricted class one medical certificate, and an ICAO English level 5 or higher certification. Additionally, candidates should have logged a minimum of 150 hours in command within the last 12 months prior to joining the Riyadh Air team.
Captains, on the other hand, must meet the following criteria.
- Have a minimum of 6,000 hours of total flying time on multi-crew, multi-engine aircraft, including at least 2,000 hours of recent command experience on widebody aircraft. Only time spent in the operating seat of turbojet aircraft will be considered.
- Must also hold a valid ICAO ATPL, an unrestricted class one medical certificate, and an ICAO English level 5 or higher certification. Additionally, candidates should have logged a minimum of 150 hours in command within the last 12 months prior to joining the Riyadh Air team.
Hiring Process for Riyadh Air Pilots
Riyadh Air follows the steps below for its hiring of pilots.
- Online Application – Candidates submit their application with their licence details, flight records, medical certification, employment history and supporting documents.
- Initial Screening – Riyadh Air reviews the candidate’s qualifications, flying experience, licence status and eligibility for the particular fleet and rank.
- Online Psychometric Assessment – Shortlisted candidates complete psychometric testing designed to evaluate cognitive ability, decision-making and other competencies relevant to airline operations.
- Technical Interview – Candidates attend a technical interview covering aircraft systems, aviation knowledge, operational procedures and their previous flying experience.
- Simulator Assessment – Applicants complete a simulator evaluation, with reported recruitment processes including Boeing 787 simulator assessments for relevant candidates.
- Final Interview and Checks – Candidates who complete the assessments proceed through final interviews, medical verification, background checks and employment documentation before receiving a contract.
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Bottom Line
In 2026, Riyadh Air offers one of the more ambitious pilot compensation packages in the Middle East. First officers generally earn an estimated SAR 550,000 to SAR 780,000 per year, while captains can receive approximately SAR 900,000 to SAR 1.45 million annually, with senior or highly productive pilots potentially earning more through allowances and additional payments.
The biggest attraction is not simply the basic salary. Housing and transport allowances, medical and loss-of-licence insurance, annual leave, performance bonuses and Saudi Arabia’s tax environment can make the overall package considerably more valuable than the headline salary suggests. Reported recruitment terms should nevertheless be treated as indicative because Riyadh Air has not published a universal salary scale covering every pilot position.
For experienced pilots, particularly those with Boeing 787 experience, Riyadh Air offers the unusual opportunity to join a major international airline during its formative years while benefiting from strong compensation and considerable future career potential.
Riyadh Air Pilot Salary FAQs
Riyadh Air pilots generally earn an estimated SAR 550,000 to SAR 1.45 million per year, depending on rank, experience, aircraft and the overall compensation package.
The airline’s initial long-haul operation is centred on the Boeing 787-9, while Airbus A321neo, Airbus A350-1000 and Boeing 787-10 operations are also being developed.
Current recruitment listings indicate around 2,000 hours of multi-pilot experience for Boeing 787 first officers and approximately 6,000 total flight hours for direct-entry Boeing 787 captains.
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