HYBRIDS C/S - Flyadeal has wet-leased Airbus A330-200 aircraft from Turkish carrier Air Anka to boost capacity, particularly for Hajj and Umrah pilgrimages

Photo: RJA - TC-NYB-Airbus A330-243

These, often registered as TC-NYB, are used by the Saudi low-cost carrier to handle high-demand, long-haul, or specialized charter operations, such as flights from Nigeria

Flyadeal Announces Seat Choices For New Two-Class Airbus A330S

Saudi Budget Airline Selects Italian Firm Geven For Premium Economy 

Chinese Company Jiatai To Provide Economy Seating In Mid East Debut 

Hamburg, GERMANY – flyadeal, Saudia Arabia’s fast growing low-cost airline, has chosen European and Asian seat manufacturers to equip its brand new two-class widebody fleet of Airbus A330-900neo aircraft.

Just a year before the first of the airline’s 10 A330s is scheduled to enter service, flyadeal has confirmed a dual cabin configuration featuring 406 Economy and 14 Premium Economy seats.

Ergonomic reclinable seating specially designed for long-haul flights with extra seat and back support, adjustable headrests and in-seat USB Type-C charger ports together with warm ambient lighting, are significant features of the cabin interiors.

Italian firm Geven has been selected to install the Premium Economy cabin with its Comoda AQ seat, designed for medium to long-haul travel. With seven abreast seating across two rows in a 2-3-2 layout, each features a 38-inch pitch and 8-inch recline that focuses on enhanced personal space and passenger comfort.

Jiatai makes its Middle East debut with flyadeal choosing the Chinese company’s customised Economy Class seats. Highlighting cabin layout optimisation and comfort, each row features nine seats in a 3-3-3 configuration with a pitch of up to 30 inches.

With flying capability of over 11 hours, flyadeal will primarily operate the A330s between the Kingdom, and Asia, Europe and Africa. [UK1] Aircraft deliveries are due to begin in summer 2027.

Sanjiv Kapoor, Executive Vice President Strategies at Saudia Group and flyadeal Acting Chief Executive Officer, said: “After almost 12 months working behind the scenes on specifications for our new A330s, flyadeal is now embarking on its widebody journey in preparation for entry into service next year. The interiors have been carefully chosen with passenger comfort, space, weight, durability, sustainability and ambience central to our decisions.

“We are delighted to build on the relationship with seat partner Geven for our new widebody Premium Economy cabin. And welcome Jiatai as their regional launch customer for the economy seats. At flyadeal we like to do things differently, hence our unique approach as a low-cost airline entering the widebody market with our own dedicated aircraft and continued focus on maintaining competitiveness and enhancing the customer experience.”

Alberto Veneruso, Geven Managing Director, added: "We are thrilled to support flyadeal at such a pivotal moment as they introduce their first Premium Economy product. Being part of this milestone allows us to bring our innovative Comoda AQ seats to passengers who expect comfort, convenience, and quality on every journey. It’s an honour to stand alongside flyadeal as they take this important step in enhancing their passenger experience."


Jingfeng LIU, Jiatai Chairman, explained: "We are honoured to partner with flyadeal on this significant programme. This collaboration not only validates Jiatai's product reliability and innovation capabilities but also represents a pivotal step in the international expansion of Chinese aircraft seating brands. We are committed to delivering exceptional performance and comprehensive aftermarket support to facilitate flyadeal's widebody fleet development."

The seats selection was part of a raft of flyadeal announcements at Aircraft Interiors – the airline industry’s annual showcase of cabin innovation – being held in the German city of Hamburg this week.

French company Safran Cabin will provide customised widebody galleys ensuring cabin crew have a spacious working environment preparing for their inflight service.

Swiss aircraft interior furnishings manufacturer Lantal Textiles extends its relationship with flyadeal as provider of carpets and curtains for the A330s. Lantal is already the supplier for the airline’s 51-strong new narrowbody fleet which is also due to be delivered from next year.

flyadeal has rapidly developed into the Middle East’s fastest growing airline, operating a young fleet of 46 Airbus A320 family aircraft from bases in Jeddah, Riyadh, Madinah and Dammam to more than 40 seasonal and year-round destinations across Saudi Arabia, and in the Middle East, Europe, North Africa and South Asia. By 2030, in line with Saudi Vision 2030, flyadeal expects to more than double its network and fleet to over 100 destinations and aircraft respectively.

FLEET / HYBRID LIVERY - Flynas has operated the Boeing 737-800 ( Air Explore ), though its current fleet is dominated by Airbus A320neo

With only 66 total aircraft in its fleet as of late 2025. The airline previously operated a small number of these aircraft, along with other Boeing models, as part of its fleet expansion strategy before focusing primarily on the A320neo.

OM-MEX / Boeing 737-8GJ
Bratislava M.R.Stefanik Airport - LZIB - Slovakia

Photo: Matej Orvisky

ROUTES - Flyadeal plans to begin long-haul flights to Bangladesh, France, Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, and the United Kingdom when its A330neos start arriving in mid-2027.

Flyadeal operates a fleet of 32 A320neos and 11 A320ceos, with 12 A320neos, 39 A321neos and 10 A330neos on order.
Image: Flydeal

ORDER - Saudia Group discloses order for 10 Airbus A330neo aircraft for flyadeal

Toulouse, France, 23 April 2025 – Saudia Group has disclosed an order with Airbus for 10 A330-900 aircraft for its subsidiary flyadeal. It marks the first widebody order for the subsidiary and paves the way for new long-haul services and enhanced passenger experience, whilst advancing the airline’s goal of operating the youngest fleet among the Middle East’s low-cost airlines.

The agreement was announced at a signing ceremony held at Airbus’ facilities in Toulouse in the presence of His Excellency Engr. Ibrahim Al-Omar, Director General of Saudia Group, Christian Scherer, CEO Commercial Aircraft at Airbus, Saleh Eid, Vice President of Fleet Management and Agreements at Saudia Group and Benoît de Saint-Exupéry, EVP Sales Commercial Aircraft at Airbus.

H.E. Engr. Ibrahim Al-Omar stated: "This deal marks a pivotal milestone in our ambitious strategy to modernise and expand our fleet. It builds on last year’s historic deal with Airbus for 105 aircraft. This step aligns with our national strategies under Saudi Vision 2030, which aims to connect 250 destinations and facilitate the travel of over 330 million travelers and 150 million tourists by 2030”.

Benoît de Saint-Exupéry said: “Saudia Group’s A330neo order for flyadeal marks a key step in advancing the Kingdom’s aviation ambition to unlock long-haul markets and attract new customers. The A330neo’s proven versatility, new generation efficiency, and excellent passenger experience will perfectly support Saudia Group’s strategic growth and solidify their position as a global aviation leader. We look forward to seeing the versatile champion fly in flyadeal colours."

Saudia Group ordered 105 Airbus aircraft, including 54 A321neo aircraft for flyadeal in May 2024. Currently, flyadeal operates a fleet of 37 A320 Family aircraft and Saudia a fleet of 93 A320 Family and A330 aircraft.

Powered by the latest generation Rolls-Royce Trent 7000 engines, the A330-900 is capable of flying 7,200 nm / 13,300 km non-stop. The A330neo features the award-winning Airspace cabin, which offers passengers a unique experience, high level of comfort, ambience, and design. This includes more individual space, enlarged overhead bins, a new lighting system and access to the latest in-flight entertainment and connectivity systems.

At the end of March 2025, the A330 Family had won over 1,800 firm orders from more than 130 customers worldwide. As with all Airbus aircraft, the A330 family is already able to operate with up to 50% Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) and is targeting up to 100% SAF capability by 2030.

 

FLEET - flyadeal looks set to order 10 A330neos in first widebody acquisition: Reuters

Saudi-owned low-cost carrier flyadeal looks set to order 10 Airbus A330neos in its first widebody acquisition, according to Reuters.

Speaking to insiders, Reuters reported that flyadeal could announce the deal with Airbus within weeks after targeting the A330-900, after also considering the

According to ch-aviation, 18 A320neos and 39 A321neos were scheduled to join flyadeal’s fleet out of the 105 aircraft on order.

flyadeal currently operates a fleet of 36 aircraft, comprising 10 A320-200s, 25 A320neos, plus an additional A330-200 leased from Jordan Aviation.

The carrier was founded in 2016 and is headquartered in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.

Reuters

FLEET - flyadeal (Saudi Arabia) plans to order A330s or Boeing 787s by the end of 2024, in addition to bringing in additional aircraft on wet lease as a bridge

 The carrier aims to grow from 35 to 88 aircraft within the next four years, including the retirement of its A320ceos. In 1Q 2026, Flyadeal will also receive the first of 29 A321s.

CH Aviation

AIRBUS ORDER - Saudia Group orders 105 A320neo Family aircraft to support Saudi Arabia’s aviation goals

 

Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, 20 May 2024 - Saudia Group, represented by Saudia, the national flag carrier of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, and flyadeal, the group’s low-cost carrier, has signed a firm order for an additional 105 A320neo Family aircraft. The order comprises 12 A320neo and 93 A321neo aircraft. This increases Saudia Group’s Airbus aircraft order backlog to 144 A320neo family aircraft.

The agreement was announced at the Future Aviation Forum in Riyadh in the presence of H.E. Saleh bin Nasser AIJasser, Minister of Transport and Logistic Services of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, H.E. Engr. Ibrahim Al-Omar, Director General of Saudia Group and Benoît de Saint-Exupéry, Executive Vice President Sales of the Commercial Aircraft business.

H.E. Engr. Ibrahim Al-Omar, Director General of Saudia Group, said: "Saudia has ambitious operational objectives to meet growing demand. We are increasing flights and seat capacity across our existing 100+ destinations on four continents, with plans for further expansion. The progress of Saudi Vision 2030 is attracting more visits, tourists, entrepreneurs, and pilgrims each year. This motivated our decision to secure this significant deal, which will create jobs, increase local content, and contribute to the national economy."

“The new additions of the A320neo family aircraft will play a vital role in contributing to Saudi Arabia’ ambitious Vision 2030 plan,” said Benoît de Saint-Exupéry, Executive Vice President Sales of the Commercial Aircraft business. “It will enable Saudia Group’s strategy to advance the Kingdom’s aviation capabilities while enabling both airlines to benefit from the A320neo Family’s exceptional efficiency, superior economics, highest level of passenger comfort as well as lower fuel-burn and emissions."

Saudi Arabia is creating unprecedented opportunities for global aviation through the Saudi National Tourism Strategy, which targets more than 150 million tourists by 2030. This order with Airbus will play a significant role in strengthening the Kingdom’s ambition of becoming one of the top global tourism destinations.

The A320 Family is the world’s most popular single aisle aircraft having won over 18,000 orders from over 300 customers in all markets. The A321neo is the largest member of Airbus’ A320neo Family, offering unparalleled range and performance. By incorporating new generation engines and Sharklets, the A321neo brings a 50% noise reduction and at least 20% fuel savings and CO2 reduction compared to previous generation single-aisle aircraft, while maximizing passenger comfort in the widest single-aisle cabin in the sky. As with all Airbus aircraft, the entire A320 Family is already able to operate with up to 50% Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF). Airbus aims for all its aircraft to be capable of operating with up to 100% SAF by 2030.

Airbus celebrates the 1,000th aircraft covered by Flight Hour Services with flyadeal

 

flyadeal signed long-term Flight Hour Services (FHS) agreement with Airbus


● The agreement covers all of flyadeal’s A320 fleet including the 1,000th Airbus aircraft under FHS


● Airbus FHS provides fully integrated material services and helps enhance operational reliability

Toulouse – France, 17 August 2021 – flyadeal, the low-cost Jeddah-based airline owned by Saudi Arabian Airlines, signed a long-term Flight Hour Services (FHS) agreement to support its A320 fleet.

The agreement includes the 1,000th aircraft supported by Airbus Flight Hour Services. The carrier will benefit from integrated material services including spare pool access, on-site-stock at the main base and components engineering and repairs. Through the FHS contract, Airbus will guarantee spare parts availability, contributing to securing aircraft technical performance.

Mikail Houari, President of Airbus Africa & Middle East, said: “Signing this agreement with flyadeal is an important milestone; it is the 1st FHS contract in Saudi Arabia and the biggest Airbus aircraft fleet to be covered by FHS”.

“We are proud of our partnership with flyadeal and look forward to continuing working together. This agreement reaffirms our commitment to supporting Saudi Arabia’s aviation sector”, Houari added.

Airbus has finalised 11 Flight Hour Services contracts with operators worldwide over the last six months. The latest contract agreements demonstrate the continued interest in Airbus’s integrated maintenance service, proving more relevant than ever in post-crisis times when airlines need to carefully monitor their costs and contain investments.

flyadeal to lease six A320s

flyadeal (Jeddah) will lease six A320-200 jets ahead of its launch later in the year Airbus's Managing Director (Middle East), Fouad Attar, has told Reuters.

The aircraft, supplied by an unspecified lessor, will arrive in time for the LCC's inaugural flights, scheduled for the middle of the year.

Unveiled last year, flyadeal will form part of parent carrier Saudia's SV2020 strategic plan. It aims to operate fifty aircraft by 2020.

ch aviation