Delta to launch first direct US-Saudi flight as business ties deepen
Beginning in October 2026, Delta will fly from its Atlanta hub to the Saudi capital three times a week on an Airbus A350-900 — a route that will span more than 7,000 miles.
Delta Air Lines announced Monday that it will be flying direct to Riyadh beginning in October 2026, as the airline looks to capitalize on the kingdom's Vision 2030 plan to attract more tourists and international investment.
In October 2026, Delta will fly from its Atlanta hub to the Saudi capital three times a week on an Airbus A350-900 — a route that will span more than 7,000 miles, the airline said in a statement.
Delta CEO Ed Bastian told Bloomberg in an interview published Monday that the new route would make it the first American carrier to fly direct to Saudi Arabia.
Why it matters: Ties between the Gulf’s largest economy and the United States have grown under the Trump administration. Donald Trump's first regional tour during both of his terms as president was to the Gulf, including Saudi Arabia. On his most recent visit in May, Riyadh and Washington announced investment pacts worth some $600 billion.
