Air France Unveils New Direct Airbus A350 Service from Paris to Riyadh, Enhancing Travel Connections Between Europe and Saudi Arabia Starting May 2025: New Updates You Need to Know

Thursday, March 13, 2025

Air France is expanding its global reach with the launch of a new direct route between Paris-Charles de Gaulle (CDG) and Riyadh (RUH), Saudi Arabia, set to commence on May 19, 2025. This new service strengthens the airline’s presence in the Middle East and caters to the growing demand for connections between Europe and the region.

In the initial phase, Air France will operate three flights per week—on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays—from May 19 to June 1, 2025. Starting June 2, the frequency will increase to five weekly flights, including Tuesdays and Sundays, for the remainder of the summer season.

The airline will deploy its Airbus A350-900 aircraft for this route, offering a total of 324 seats—34 in Business Class, 24 in Premium Economy, and 266 in Economy. The outbound flight, AF684, will depart Paris at 11:20 p.m. and arrive in Riyadh at 6:25 a.m. the following morning. The return flight, AF685, will leave Riyadh at 8:40 a.m., arriving in Paris at 2:20 p.m.

This new service is part of the broader strategy by Air France-KLM Group to expand its footprint in Saudi Arabia. Transavia France, a subsidiary of Air France, already operates routes connecting Paris-Orly and Lyon to Jeddah, while KLM serves Riyadh and Dammam from its Amsterdam hub. The new Paris-Riyadh route further strengthens Air France’s partnership with Saudia Airlines, offering improved connectivity between Europe and Saudi Arabia.

Riyadh, located in the Nafud Desert, received UNESCO World Heritage Site status in 2020. The city is a blend of rich history and modern development, with ancient landmarks alongside sleek skyscrapers offering stunning views of the rapidly growing city. As the capital of Saudi Arabia, Riyadh continues to evolve as a global business and tourism center, supported by ongoing infrastructure projects, business district expansions, and entertainment initiatives.

Riyadh’s Growing Appeal to International Airlines

Riyadh’s growing status as a regional hub has caught the attention of global airlines eager to expand their presence in the city. Cathay Pacific resumed flights between Hong Kong and Riyadh on October 28, 2024, after a seven-year gap. The airline operates three weekly flights on this route, using Airbus A350-900 aircraft to connect the two major financial centers.

In another example, Air India Express began flights from Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala, to Riyadh on September 9, 2024, enhancing travel options between India and Saudi Arabia. Virgin Atlantic, too, is planning to introduce daily flights to Riyadh as part of Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 economic initiative. With UK-Saudi trade expected to grow from £17.1 billion in 2023 to £30 billion by 2030, Virgin Atlantic is capitalizing on the increasing demand for air travel. The airline will deploy A330neo aircraft on this route, which offers substantial cargo capacity for goods like fresh produce and pharmaceuticals.

Additionally, Akasa Air, India’s new low-cost carrier, launched its inaugural flight between Mumbai and Riyadh on June 15, 2024, with plans to transition from six weekly services to daily flights by July 2024.

With Saudi Arabia being the Middle East’s largest economy and the world’s 20th largest, Riyadh’s expanding role as both a business and tourism destination is clear. The increasing number of direct international flights to the city reflects its emerging status as a key player in the global aviation market.

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