Riyadh Air 787-9 Premium Economy Class Review (Jeddah - Riyadh)
Airline: Riyadh Air, RX
Aircraft: Boeing 787-9
Aircraft registration: HZ-RXAC
Route: Jeddah - Riyadh
Flight number: RX12
Seat: 13A
When Riyadh Air launched, most of the early attention landed on business class. That's understandable, but premium economy is the cabin that's going to matter to more passengers on this airline since there are 39 seats in this cabin, compared to 28 in business.
Oskar and I flew premium economy on the Jeddah to Riyadh leg shortly after Riyadh Air's very first passenger departure from Jeddah. The flight is about an hour and a half in the air, which isn't long, but there was plenty to assess.
I've already reviewed the Riyadh Air economy class on the same aircraft, so I went into premium economy with a clear reference point. Here's how it stacks up.
How I booked my Riyadh Air Ticket?
As I have mentioned in my economy and business class review, the Jeddah to Riyadh route had only just opened for sale when we booked, availability was wide open, and the experience on Riyadh Air's own website was clean and straightforward. I paid 1,503 SAR one-way for JED–RUH.
riyadh Air 787-9 Check-in Experience
We connected directly from our earlier economy flight, so I didn't go through a separate check-in process for this leg. Jeddah Airport was calm and lowkey, even for what was effectively the first departure on a brand-new route.
Riyadh Air 787-9 Premium Economy Boarding
At the door we were greeted by two of Riyadh Air's newest crew members. I found out, on any given day the same crew member could be working economy, premium economy, or business. That's an unusual setup, but it makes sense for a carrier still getting off the ground.
The moment you step into the cabin, it wows you! Design is clearly where Riyadh Air put serious money. The closest product in terms of breathtaking design has got to be Emirates’ A350 Premium Economy.
Riyadh Air 787-9 premium economy class cabin
Riyadh Air 787-9 Premium Economy Seat map and Features
Riyadh Air's 787-9 has 39 premium economy seats in a 2-3-2 configuration. If you're traveling solo, go for an aisle seat. Getting out of a window seat once the person ahead of you has reclined is awkward. I'd normally point you toward the front row, but it sits practically inside the galley here, so a few rows back is the better call.
Riyadh Air 787-9 premium economy class seats
Riyadh Air 787-9 premium economy class seat features
Legroom is tighter than you'd expect in premium economy. Recline is generous, which creates a predictable tension: on a longer flight, the passenger ahead of you reclines back into your space in a meaningful way. On a 90-minute domestic flight it's manageable, but it's worth considering before you book this cabin on a long-haul Riyadh Air route.
Riyadh Air 787-9 premium economy class seat recline
Riyadh Air 787-9 premium economy class seatbelt
Riyadh Air 787-9 premium economy class seat features
Riyadh Air 787-9 premium economy class seat
One detail that stood out: the aisle in premium economy is noticeably wider than in the other cabins. Wide to the point where you wonder why some of that space didn't go into the seats themselves.
Riyadh Air 787-9 premium economy class cabin
Riyadh Air 787-9 Premium Economy Inflight Meals
This is where Riyadh Air’s premium economy surprised me the most. Before departure, Oskar was offered a choice between water and freshly squeezed orange juice. The juice was actually good, not the concentrate you get on most airlines. This was followed by a hot towel. Then came Saudi coffee and dates. That’s an exceptional pre-departure experience, and beats business class on most Western airlines.
Riyadh Air 787-9 premium economy class pre departure drink
For his main meal, Oskar was served a falafel wrap alongside a small mezze plate and a cheesecake for dessert.
Riyadh Air 787-9 premium economy class meal
Riyadh Air 787-9 Premium Economy lavatory
One thing worth flagging: lavatories in premium economy are shared with economy class. Passengers walk back to use the economy lavatories rather than having dedicated facilities closer to the cabin. On a 90-minute domestic flight it's not a dealbreaker, but it does dent the premium feel.
Riyadh Air 787-9 premium economy class lavatory
Riyadh Air 787-9 Premium Economy Service
The crew in premium economy were attentive and warm from boarding through arrival. For a first flight on a brand-new route, the service flow was well-paced.
Riyadh Air 787-9 Premium Economy Landing
Just before landing, the crew came through the premium economy cabin with inaugural flight cupcakes to mark the first ever Jeddah departure. It was a small, considered gesture, and the same thing happened across every cabin on this flight. You can see it mentioned in my Riyadh Air business class review and the Riyadh Air economy class review too. Riyadh Air acknowledged the milestone for every passenger on board, not just those up front.
Riyadh Air 787-9 premium economy class cupcakes
Riyadh Air 787-9 Premium Economy Service: Our Final Verdict
Riyadh Air's premium economy is one of the most visually striking cabins in the sky right now. The design, the mood lighting, the materials, the attention to detail: these are all at a level that most airlines simply don't reach in this class. If you judge a premium economy product on first impressions alone, this one wins.
But the comfort story is more complicated. Legroom is below the category average, the headrest is hard and barely adjustable, and sharing lavatories with economy is a step below what a proper premium economy product should offer. Four USB-C ports per seat is a genuine standout, and the pre-departure service is the best I've seen in this cabin anywhere.
The CEO of Riyadh Air has said publicly that their premium economy is better than some airlines' business class. If you're comparing it to short-haul or regional business class, maybe. However, compared to a proper international premium economy product like Air France’s and Emirates, it falls short on comfort even if it wins on aesthetics.
It’s worth flying if you want a beautiful cabin at a reasonable price and can live with some comfort trade-offs. If you’re debating whether to upgrade to business class on Riyadh Air, check out my business class review from the same flight to see how the two cabins compare.
