Gallery: Riyadh Air Reveals Cabin Interior

Aviation Week Network Staff April 21, 2025
A designer uses an ipad to work on Riyahd Air branding
Credit: Riyadh Air/PriestmanGoode

PriestmanGoode was selected by Riyadh Air in 2022 to design the interiors of its inaugural Boeing 787-9 fleet. Nodding to the 18-month timeline PriestmanGoode Director Ben Rowan said, “This is a standard timeframe for a low-customized cabin, but Riyadh Air required a bespoke cabin design, custom materials, and innovative features.”

RELATED CONTENT | Riyadh Air Sees Fourth Quarter Launch, Two 787-9 Deliveries This Year

A cabin of Riyadh Air seats
Credit: Riyadh Air/PriestmanGoode

A “Canopy Twist” design element inspired by local architecture is integrated into cabin surfaces across Business Class suites and Premium Economy, as well as in cabin textiles. PriestmanGoode describes the resulting depth as “reminiscent of Kafd architectural elements that illuminate the city of Riyadh at night.”

RELATED CONTENT | Riyadh Air Sees Fourth Quarter Launch, Two 787-9 Deliveries This Year

A Riyadh Air lighting design element, inside the aircraft cabin
Credit: Riyadh Air/PriestmanGoode

Custom-designed materials in the cabin include a single coat self-texturing pearlescent paint by Mankiewicz on the canopy. 

RELATED CONTENT | Riyadh Air Sees Fourth Quarter Launch, Two 787-9 Deliveries This Year

A cabin of Riyadh Air seats
Credit: Riyadh Air/PriestmanGoode

A custom fabric was developed by Rohi and PriestmanGoode’s Colour, Material and Finish team for the Economy class dress cover—an indigo base with peach and lavender threads. 

RELATED CONTENT | Riyadh Air Sees Fourth Quarter Launch, Two 787-9 Deliveries This Year

A Riyadh Air seat
Credit: Riyadh Air/PriestmanGoode

Bespoke toppers for Business Class and Premium Economy class seating were developed with supplier partner Lantal.

RELATED CONTENT | Riyadh Air Sees Fourth Quarter Launch, Two 787-9 Deliveries This Year

Two side-by-side seats on board a 787 (Riyadh Air)
Credit: Riyadh Air/PriestmanGoode

Work by PriestmanGoode involved rounds of iterative prototyping, using 3D printing and foam spatial mock-ups to test comfort and ergonomics. 

RELATED CONTENT | Riyadh Air Sees Fourth Quarter Launch, Two 787-9 Deliveries This Year

A Riyadh Air design element, showing the seat number using cut outs and lighting
Credit: Riyadh Air/PriestmanGoode

 “Lighting mock-ups and collaborative workshops with the team at Boeing were also crucial for testing colors and materials,” notes the consultancy. “This collaborative process involved close partnerships with the client and suppliers, such as Safran for the Business Class Suites and Recarco for Premium Economy and Economy, Bucher for brand panels, and Mankiewicz for coatings, ensuring every detail was meticulously crafted.”

RELATED CONTENT | Riyadh Air Sees Fourth Quarter Launch, Two 787-9 Deliveries This Year

A cabin of Riyadh Air seats
Credit: Riyadh Air/PriestmanGoode

PriestmanGoode also worked with supplier partners that included: Botany Weaving, Muirhead, Tapis, Schott, Amsafe, Beadlight, AMAAN, Sekisui Kydex, Isovolta and Schroth. 

RELATED CONTENT | Riyadh Air Sees Fourth Quarter Launch, Two 787-9 Deliveries This Year

"Unlike existing carriers with decades of brand history to observe, Riyadh Air was starting from a blank slate,” notes Ben Rowan, Director at PriestmanGoode. “This was both an opportunity and a challenge: the freedom to shape something entirely new, but also the responsibility to create a design language that would resonate with passengers and stand the test of time.”

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