Riyadh Air
Pilot Recruitment
2026
Riyadh Air Is Officially Hiring: What Pilot Candidates Need to Know Before the July Launch
June 2026
4 min read
FlightDeckIQ
Riyadh Air is no longer a concept. On July 1, 2026, Saudi Arabia's newest flag carrier begins scheduled public service to London Heathrow — and with 787-9 Dreamliners already delivered and a target of 700 pilots within three years, the recruitment window is wide open right now.
If you've been watching this airline from the sidelines, it's time to stop watching.
Most pilots who want to fly for a Gulf carrier set their sights on Emirates, Qatar Airways, or Etihad — the established Big Three. That's fine. Those doors are also open in 2026. But Riyadh Air represents something genuinely rare: the chance to join a premium carrier at the ground level, before seniority lists are entrenched and before the culture is locked in.
The airline held recruitment events in London Gatwick and Manchester earlier this year, with further roadshow stops in Asia. They're not waiting for candidates to come to Riyadh — they're coming to you.
The aircraft type is the Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner (with Airbus A321neo operations also building out), and the interview process is already well-documented enough that serious candidates can prepare for it today.
The selection process runs across four stages, typically spread over multiple days:
An initial screening conducted remotely. Expect competency-based questions about your background, motivations, and how you approach crew dynamics. This is your first impression — treat it like a final interview.
A two-hour session covering psychometric profiling and reasoning assessments delivered through the AON platform. Designed to evaluate cognitive flexibility, decision-making style, and personality fit. Practice timed reasoning tests in the days before — unfamiliarity with the format will cost you time.
A structured panel covering technical knowledge and HR-style questions. Focus areas include SOPs, CRM and leadership potential, communication style, and how you fit Riyadh Air's premium, hospitality-forward culture. Do your homework on their stated identity and Vision 2030 positioning.
The sim check is conducted in London or Dubai on the 787. Even without a type rating, this stage tests procedural discipline, CRM communication, and how you manage pressure — not just raw handling.
Riyadh Air is Saudi Vision 2030 in the sky. Interviewers will probe whether you understand what they're building and why. "I want to fly a new aircraft" is a weak answer. "I want to be part of building a premium Gulf carrier from day one" is a much stronger one — if you mean it.
This is consistent advice from candidates who've been through Gulf airline sim checks: don't wait for the assessor to set the tone. Take control of the brief. Agree on callouts, PF/PM split, and how you'll communicate during abnormals. Assessors notice who leads and who waits.
Panel interviewers at Riyadh Air are looking for evidence of CRM, adaptability, and service mindset. Use the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result), and practise your answers out loud — not just in your head. Fluency under pressure is a proxy for how you'll perform on the flight deck.
Riyadh Air isn't the only active recruiter. Emirates is absorbing 1,500+ pilots to support its A350 and 777X expansion. Qatar Airways is hiring Non-Type-Rated First Officers with a minimum of 1,000 hours — the most accessible Big Three entry point available. Etihad is recruiting A320 First Officers to start this year, with assessment centres running across Europe.
For qualified pilots, this is the most target-rich Gulf hiring environment in years. The question isn't whether there are seats — it's whether you're prepared enough to fill one.
FlightDeckIQ has a dedicated Riyadh Air module built around exactly what you'll face in their selection process:
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The July 1 launch is weeks away. Recruitment is live now. Candidates who prepare specifically for Riyadh Air's process — not just "pilot interviews" in general — will walk into the room with a clear advantage.
Sources: GateChecked · AFM · Pilot Career Center · PilotAssessments.com