n a bold move to redefine luxury air travel, Riyadh Air, Saudi Arabia’s newest full-service airline, has announced a strategic global partnership with Blacklane, the world’s leading premium chauffeur company. The announcement was made at the 2025 Paris Air Show, highlighting Riyadh Air’s commitment to guest-centric innovation by unveiling an integrated ground-to-air luxury experience.
The collaboration aims to streamline and elevate the travel experience for international guests flying Business Elite, Business Class, or holding eligible Riyadh Air loyalty memberships, offering them complimentary chauffeur services in elegant vehicles within a 50-kilometre radius of King Khalid International Airport (RUH) in Riyadh.
Seamless Luxury: From Home to Gate
Under this agreement, travellers can enjoy door-to-door comfort with pre-booked chauffeur transfers, easing the first and last legs of international journeys. With Blacklane’s integration directly into the Riyadh Air booking system, guests can arrange their luxury ground transport when purchasing flight tickets, ensuring a smooth transition from city streets to aircraft cabins.
Guests will benefit from Blacklane’s hallmark service features, including:
- On-time pickups with real-time flight tracking
- Multilingual, professional chauffeurs
- Luxurious fleets, including electric vehicle options
- Personalized assistance for city-to-city or in-city rides
Additionally, Riyadh Air travellers can separately book Blacklane’s services across more than 500 cities in over 50 countries, making the service truly global and unified.
Delivering Saudi Hospitality Beyond the Skies
Tony Douglas, CEO of Riyadh Air, emphasized the importance of the partnership in delivering world-class service:
“Our partnership with Blacklane reinforces our ethos of ensuring our customers experience Saudi hospitality with world-class service standards. This is the next step in fulfilling our promise to deliver an exceptional premium journey — from curbside to cabin.”
Riyadh Air recently revealed its Business Elite and Business Class seating concepts, designed to reflect authentic Saudi warmth while aligning with the highest international comfort standards. Now, by extending premium service to ground transportation, the airline is taking a holistic approach to luxury.
A New Global Benchmark in Ground Transport
Dr. Jens Wohltorf, Co-Founder and CEO of Blacklane, shared his excitement about the partnership:
“This collaboration is more than just a service — it’s a statement. We’re thrilled to offer Riyadh Air guests a journey curated with elegance, reliability, and meaningful hospitality at every step.”
Blacklane has built a sterling reputation among discerning travellers, corporate clients, and luxury brands. Operating with a workforce of 400 professionals and tens of thousands of chauffeur partners, the company combines local expertise with global standards. Its operations emphasize:
- Environmental sustainability with a growing electric vehicle fleet
- Chauffeur training and quality assurance programs
- Premium guest experience supported by real-time digital innovation
This emphasis aligns closely with Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030, which aims to develop the Kingdom into a global hub for tourism, innovation, and premium services.
Riyadh Air: Redefining Saudi Skies
Launched in March 2023, Riyadh Air is a Public Investment Fund (PIF) company set to transform the aviation landscape in the Middle East. With a digitally native, sustainability-first strategy, the airline plans to connect the capital of Saudi Arabia to over 100 global destinations by 2030.
Riyadh Air promises:
- Best-in-class cabin experiences
- Advanced in-flight digital entertainment and connectivity
- Net-zero aligned practices
- A focus on guest experience inspired by Saudi culture and hospitality
With its strategic location, Riyadh is positioned to become a regional air travel powerhouse, and partnerships like this with Blacklane are vital for achieving that vision.
A Win-Win for Luxury Travellers and the Saudi Tourism Ecosystem
This partnership is also a boost for Saudi Arabia’s tourism and transport sectors, enhancing the country’s appeal for high-end travellers. By linking state-of-the-art air service with luxury ground mobility, Riyadh Air is helping build a comprehensive premium ecosystem that supports the Kingdom’s growing prominence as a luxury tourism destination.
With tourism playing a pivotal role in the Kingdom’s GDP, initiatives that enhance infrastructure, service, and guest satisfaction are essential. According to Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Tourism, the country is targeting 150 million tourists annually by 2030, with a strong emphasis on experiential and premium travel.
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