US carrier Delta Air Lines is set to launch a new route from its main international hub in Atlanta direct to King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh, becoming the first US airline in modern times to fly non-stop to the Saudi capital, in a move CEO Ed Bastian admits is “bold” and may see uptake from US travellers “start slow.”
The service, due to commence in October 2026, will not be the first to connect the US with Saudi Arabia. A range of carriers, including British Airways, EgyptAir, Etihad Airways, Emirates, Lufthansa, Virgin Atlantic, and Qatar Airways, take passengers to the Arabian Peninsula kingdom, mostly flying to Jeddah.
Instead, Delta will focus on Riyadh. The over 11,000km and up to 15-hour route will be scheduled three times per week, marking what Bastian called “a key step in Delta’s global growth as we start our second century of flight.” Speaking at a launch event, he said the “new flights will connect customers to this dynamic, fast-growing region” and hailed the route as part of Delta’s “bold vision to create meaningful opportunities and experiences in every corner of the world in the years ahead.”
Responding to the announcement, Saudi Arabia’s Minister of Tourism, Ahmed Al-Khateeb, said: “We welcome Delta to Riyadh and look forward to the opportunities this service will create for travelers worldwide,” calling the non-stop flights a “significant milestone in strengthening global connectivity between our nations” that “will open new doors for tourism and cultural exchange while driving business and innovation.”
نُرحّب بإعلان شركة دلتا الجوية الأمريكية عن تسيير رحلات مباشرة بين أتلانتا والرياض بدءًا من أكتوبر 2026، في خطوة تُعزز انفتاح المملكة على أسواق جديدة، وتُسهِم في تسهيل وصول الزوار لاستكشاف تنوعها الثقافي ومقوماتها السياحية الفريدة ضمن مستهدفات #رؤية_السعودية_2030.
— Ahmed Al Khateeb أحمد الخطيب (@AhmedAlKhateeb) October 28, 2025
We value and… https://t.co/Ectoxd0ZVZ
With business travel increasing between the two countries, the advent of a new direct route is being reported as an indication of increasing ties between the United States and Saudi Arabia – nations which, over forty years ago, joined forces against the Soviet Union in Afghanistan; share an oil trade agreement; and have become closer during Trump’s presidencies. The US president has multi-billion-dollar Trump Tower and Trump Plaza real estate interests in Saudi Arabia, in partnership with Dar Global.
At the #FortuneGlobalForum, @Delta CEO Ed Bastian discussed a new plan for a nonstop flight from Atlanta to Riyadh.
— FORTUNE (@FortuneMagazine) October 27, 2025
“It’ll start slow. It’s the first flight, first U.S. airline to have direct service, but I believe it’s going to gain popularity quickly,” Bastian told Fortune… pic.twitter.com/6OBJnJYheD
Though some outlets, such as Unilad Tech, are calling the route controversial, speaking to Fortune Bastian noted the “amazing display” of visitor opportunities and experiences in the Saudi kingdom – a destination that, alongside other Arab states, is diversifying and decarbonising its oil-based economy with ambitious travel and tourism goals, supported by its PIF (Public Investment Fund). Bastian also praised the hospitable and authentic people of Saudi Arabia and said the country was one of his favourite places to visit.
