Riyadh Air Pilot Interview Preparation 2026

Riyadh Air is not just another start-up airline. It is the centrepiece of Saudi Arabia's Vision 2030 aviation strategy, backed by more than $100 billion in infrastructure investment and the Public Investment Fund — the world's largest sovereign wealth fund. The airline needs 700 pilots within the next three years, and its recruitment machine is now running at full speed.

If you are considering Riyadh Air, you are looking at a B787 Dreamliner fleet, tax-free compensation, and the chance to build a career at what Tony Douglas — the airline's CEO and former head of Etihad — calls "the world's first digitally native, AI-native airline." But to get there, you need to clear a 9-stage selection process that is unlike anything other Gulf carriers run.

This guide breaks down every stage, based on candidate debriefs from the 2025-2026 recruitment waves. No speculation. Just what actually happens and how to prepare for each step.

Why Riyadh Air Matters Right Now

Saudi Arabia is building something unprecedented. The Kingdom's aviation target is 330 million passengers per year by 2030, and Riyadh Air is the flagship carrier designed to make that happen. Here is what you need to know about the airline before you apply:

• Fleet: Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner launch fleet, with further widebody orders confirmed. This is not a paper airline. Metal is arriving.
• First flight: The planned inaugural commercial service in late 2025, with an initial Riyadh to London Heathrow rotation.
• IATA code RX, ICAO code RXI. Founded 2023.
• Strategic partnerships: Delta Air Lines holds a strategic equity stake, bringing operational expertise and codeshare connectivity.
• Leadership: Tony Douglas (ex-Etihad CEO) leads the airline with a philosophy he describes as "a family where everybody's equal." The senior flight operations team includes ex-Emirates, Qatar, and Cathay Pacific training captains and examiners.
• Scale: Riyadh Air plans to recruit approximately 700 pilots within its first three years of operation, across both direct-entry and command upgrade pathways.

The 9-Stage Selection Pipeline

Riyadh Air's pilot selection is a 9-stage process. Not every candidate will experience every stage in the same order — the pipeline has evolved across recruitment waves — but this is the current structure as of early 2026:

Some candidates have reported receiving Stage 2 invites within 30 minutes of completing the initial video assessment. The process moves quickly when the algorithms flag you as a strong match. Do not assume you have days to prepare between stages.

The 15-Minute AI Assessment

The first gate is a 15-minute AI-proctored video assessment, split into three components:

Component A: Personality and Motivation (6 minutes)

You will be asked why you applied to Riyadh Air. The AI system analyses your verbal content, delivery confidence, and consistency. This is not a casual conversation — treat it like the opening statement of your interview. Reference the airline's mission, its Vision 2030 alignment, and what specifically draws you to a start-up carrier over an established operation.

Component B: Technical ATPL (3 minutes, 5 questions)

Five multiple-choice ATPL-level questions delivered on screen. Reported topics include: jet stream characteristics, centre of gravity effects, swept wing aerodynamics, temperature effects on aircraft performance, altimeter setting procedures, turbine stator functions, fuel temperature management, temperature inversions, TAS calculations, and aquaplaning speeds. You get 3 minutes for all five — roughly 36 seconds per question. Know your theory cold or you will run out of time.

Component C: English Speaking (6 minutes)

A personal, non-aviation question — for example, "Describe a place you have visited that changed your perspective." The system is evaluating your spoken English fluency, pronunciation, vocabulary range, and ability to structure a coherent response. ICAO Level 5 is the minimum requirement; aim to demonstrate Level 6 comfort.

AON Psychometric Battery

Once you clear the initial video assessment, you enter the AON MAPTQ platform — formerly known as Cut-e. This is the same testing infrastructure used by several European and Gulf carriers, but Riyadh Air configures a specific module set. Here is what you will face:

• Scales NDB (Spatial Orientation): Track aircraft position relative to navigation aids. Requires strong mental rotation and spatial awareness.
• Scales NAV (Direction Sense): Navigate using heading, wind, and distance information. Tests your ability to maintain geographic orientation under cognitive load.
• Scales CLX (Complex Control/Multitasking): Manage multiple simultaneous tasks — tracking, monitoring, and responding to stimuli across different screen areas.
• Scales RFL (Reactive Speed): Simple and choice reaction time tasks. Measures processing speed and accuracy under time pressure.
• Scales EQL (Observation and Memory): Memorise instrument readings and recall them after interference. Tests working memory capacity.
• Scales MON (Monitoring): Watch multiple dials and indicators simultaneously, detecting deviations from normal parameters.
• Scales LST (Verbal Reasoning): Evaluate written statements for logical consistency and draw valid conclusions.
• Scales MTX (Numerical Reasoning): Interpret data tables and perform calculations under time pressure.
• Scales CLS (Abstract Reasoning): Identify patterns in visual sequences and predict the next element.
• Shapes (Personality/Big Five): A forced-choice personality assessment mapping you against the Big Five personality model. No right answers — but consistency matters.

The Two-Run Psychometric — Riyadh Air's Unique Feature

This is the most unusual element of the Riyadh Air selection process, and it is the one that most candidates do not prepare for properly.

Riyadh Air administers the same psychometric battery twice — Run 1 and Run 2 — with a break in between. The total testing time is approximately two hours. What they are measuring is not just your raw scores but your learning curve: how much you improve between the first and second attempt.

This is a deliberate design choice. Riyadh Air's assessment philosophy values trainability as much as raw aptitude. A candidate who scores moderately on Run 1 but shows significant improvement on Run 2 is viewed more favourably than a candidate who scores well on Run 1 but plateaus or declines on Run 2.

The implication is clear: this stage is highly coachable. If you understand the test format before you walk in, your Run 1 baseline will be higher. And if you consciously apply lessons from Run 1 during Run 2, you will demonstrate exactly the learning trajectory they are looking for.

HR/CBI Interview

The interview stage has two distinct phases:

Phase A: Teams Video Interview

A remote interview conducted via Microsoft Teams. You will be asked for a 3-minute CV walkthrough — your career trajectory, key achievements, and why you are applying to Riyadh Air. This is a screening conversation, typically 20-30 minutes, focused on motivation and cultural fit. Keep your walkthrough tight: training background, fleet experience, command time (if applicable), and one sentence on why this airline, right now.

Phase B: In-Person Technical Panel

If you clear Phase A, you will be invited to an in-person panel interview. The panel typically includes ex-Emirates, Qatar, and Cathay Pacific TRI/TREs — senior training captains who have seen thousands of candidates. They know when you are rehearsing a script versus drawing on real experience.

Riyadh Air's CBI questions follow the STAR format (Situation, Task, Action, Result). Expect questions across seven competency areas:

1. Cultural fit with Vision 2030 — Do you understand what Saudi Arabia is building? Can you articulate why you want to be part of it?
2. SOP application — Describe a time you had to deviate from standard procedures and how you managed it.
3. Leadership — Give an example of a time you took command of a situation that was deteriorating.
4. Service delivery — How do you balance passenger experience with operational demands?
5. Communication and CRM — Tell us about a cockpit disagreement and how you resolved it.
6. Safety and TEM — Walk us through a safety incident you were involved in and what you learned.
7. Adaptability — Describe a situation where you had to adapt rapidly to a significant change in plan.

B787 Simulator Assessment

The final assessment stage takes place in a CAE 7000XR B787-9 full-flight simulator. Candidate reports consistently describe this stage as "straightforward" — it is not designed to be adversarial. The assessors want to see a safe, methodical pilot, not someone who can recover from a scenario designed to make you fail.

The session typically covers:

• Normal departure and approach: Standard instrument departure, followed by an ILS or RNAV approach. Clean handling, appropriate call-outs, and good procedure flow.
• Engine failure: Expect a single engine failure at a critical phase — either during the take-off roll or on approach. Standard memory items and procedure management.
• Abnormal procedures: System malfunctions requiring checklist management. They are watching your prioritisation and communication, not testing whether you have memorised the B787 QRH.
• Multi-crew CRM: You will fly with another candidate or a company pilot. How you brief, how you delegate, how you communicate decisions — this is weighted heavily.

Results are typically communicated within 8-10 days of the simulator assessment.

April 2026 Roadshows

Riyadh Air's first international pilot recruitment roadshows are confirmed for April 2026:

• London Gatwick: Thursday 3 April 2026 — Sessions at 10:00-13:00 and 14:00-17:00
• Manchester: Saturday 5 April 2026 — Sessions at 10:00-13:00 and 14:00-17:00
• Upcoming locations: Abu Dhabi, Hong Kong, and Singapore (dates to be confirmed)

Partners and families are welcome at the roadshow events. These are information sessions — they are not assessment days — but they offer a direct line to the recruitment team and often lead to fast-tracked applications. If you are within travelling distance of Gatwick or Manchester, attend. The face-to-face interaction with recruiters and current pilots is worth more than any online research.

How to Prepare

The Riyadh Air selection process rewards preparation more than most airline assessments. The two-run psychometric format, the AI-proctored video, and the structured CBI all respond directly to targeted practice. Here is where to focus your time:

1. AON/Cut-e psychometric practice: Get familiar with every module type before your assessment window opens. The interface, the timing, the multitasking demands — all of these are trainable. Your goal is to make Run 1 feel like Run 3.
2. ATPL revision: The five embedded technical questions cover a wide range of subjects. Revise aerodynamics (swept wing, CG effects), meteorology (jet streams, inversions), performance (temperature effects), instruments (altimeter settings, TAS), and powerplant (turbine stators, fuel temperature). Five questions, 36 seconds each — precision matters.
3. CBI preparation: Build a bank of at least seven STAR examples covering all competency areas. Practise delivering them out loud, on camera, to a timer. The video format of Phase A means your delivery and presence matter as much as your content.
4. Vision 2030 research: Understand the broader Saudi economic transformation. Know the giga-projects, the tourism strategy, the aviation investment pipeline. The panel will probe whether you see Riyadh Air as a paycheck or a mission.
5. B787 systems: If you do not hold a B787 type rating, review the aircraft systems at a general level — FMA logic, autothrust modes, hydraulic architecture, electrical system. You do not need type-rating depth, but demonstrating familiarity signals commitment.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the Riyadh Air pilot selection process?

Riyadh Air uses a 9-stage assessment pipeline: 15-minute AI-proctored video assessment, technical ATPL test, personality test, English language test, AON online cognitive battery, two-run psychometric assessment, reasoning tests, HR/CBI interview, and B787 simulator assessment. The process is designed to evaluate technical knowledge, cognitive aptitude, trainability, cultural fit, and flying ability in a structured sequence.

What psychometric tests does Riyadh Air use?

Riyadh Air uses the AON MAPTQ platform (formerly Cut-e) for cognitive and aptitude testing. The battery includes nine modules: spatial orientation (Scales NDB), navigation sense (Scales NAV), multitasking (Scales CLX), reactive speed (Scales RFL), observation and memory (Scales EQL), monitoring ability (Scales MON), verbal reasoning (Scales LST), numerical reasoning (Scales MTX), and abstract reasoning (Scales CLS). A Big Five personality assessment (Shapes) is also included.

What is unique about Riyadh Air's two-run psychometric test?

Riyadh Air runs the same psychometric battery twice and measures your learning curve — improvement between Run 1 and Run 2. Candidates who show strong improvement are viewed favourably even if initial scores are moderate. This is unusual among airlines and highly coachable. The total testing time is approximately two hours, and the design reflects Riyadh Air's emphasis on trainability as a selection criterion.

When are the Riyadh Air pilot recruitment roadshows?

Riyadh Air's first international pilot recruitment roadshows are scheduled for London Gatwick on 3 April 2026 and Manchester on 5 April 2026, with additional events signalled for Abu Dhabi, Hong Kong, and Singapore (dates not yet confirmed). Each event runs two sessions (10:00-13:00 and 14:00-17:00), and partners and families are welcome.

What is the Riyadh Air pilot salary?

Riyadh Air offers tax-free compensation with B787 First Officers earning approximately SAR 65,000 per month (~$17,300 USD) and B787 Captains earning SAR 90,000-120,000 per month (~$24,000-32,000 USD). The package includes housing allowance, education funding for dependents, annual leave of 45-56 days, and a Ramadan bonus. All compensation is tax-free under Saudi Arabian law.

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