Riyadh Air Pilot Salary in 2025

Riyadh Air (RX) is an upcoming airline set to be the second flag carrier of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia behind Saudia (SV). Expected to be headquartered in Riyadh and operating out of King Khalid International Airport, RX is expected to kickstart operations in 2025 and will soon fly to over 100 domestic and overseas destinations across all inhabited continents.

It is owned by the Saudi Public Investment Fund and will create over 200,000 jobs globally. Meanwhile, in its bid to start strong, Riyadh Air has already managed corporate tie-ups with the likes of Air China (CA), Delta Air Lines (DL), Singapore Airlines (SQ), and Virgin Atlantic (VS), amongst a number of others, along with sponsorship deals in football with Atletico Madrid and CONCACAF.

Photo: Riyadh Air

Riyadh Air Pilot Salary

Here is everything you need to know about how much Riyadh Air’s pilots will earn, the rest of the benefits they are set to enjoy, and the requirements expected of a candidate.

Riyadh Air First Officer’s Salary

Riyadh Air’s first officers will be the junior-most crop of pilots recruited by the airline with a minimum of 2,000 hours of flying experience.

They will help the captains in completing a safe flight by performing duties like handling communication with air traffic control and carrying out safety checks of the aircraft on the ground, amongst others.

RX is expected to pay its co-pilots operating on narrow-body airplanes a monthly salary of SAR 60,000 (approx. US$16,000) and those flying wide-bodies SAR 65,000 each month (approx. US$17,300).

Both categories of pilots will be expected to complete 75 hours of flying in a calendar month, whereas overtime hours will be compensated as below:

• Between 75 and 85 hours – SAR 400 per hour (US$107) for narrow-body pilots, SAR 500 per hour (US$133) for wide-body pilots.
• Over 85 hours – SAR 500 per hour (US$133) for narrow-body pilots, SAR 600 per hour (US$160) for wide-body pilots.

Photo: Riyadh Air

Photo: Riyadh Air

Riyadh Air Captain Salary

Riyadh Air’s captains are the airline’s senior category of pilots with a minimum of 6,000 flying hours under their belts.

They are responsible for the safety and security of the aircraft, ensuring a timely flight from its origin to destination as well as taking care of emergencies, navigation, and management of the crew aboard.

RX are expected to pay their narrow-body captains between SAR 85,000 and SAR 115,000 per month (approx. US$22,500 to US$31,000), depending on their overall experience and whether they are instructors too or not.

On the other hand, wide-body commanders will receive between SAR 90,000 and SAR 120,000 each month (approx. US$24,000 to US$32,000).

As with first officers, there is also an expectation on captains to fly a minimum of 75 hours each month, with overtime compensation paid out on the same wavelength as their co-pilots.

Photo: Riyadh Air

Benefits Enjoyed By Riyadh Air Pilots

In addition to their basic compensation, Riyadh Air pilots are entitled to some of the following benefits.

• Allowances – Riyadh Air pilots are going to be paid a generous allowance on layovers in addition to payments for their meals, as well as transportation. In case of deadheading, the aviators will receive additional income, all variables being dependent on the destination.
• Education allowance – Riyadh Air will sponsor the education of up to three children of each pilot in Saudi Arabia, as well as those with families overseas. This is typical of most Middle Eastern airlines, however, RX is the first to offer this scheme for studying abroad too.
• Housing allowance – Riyadh Air’s pilots will be offered accommodation in an expatriate-friendly area in Riyadh over and above their salaries. The facility will include all state-of-the-art amenities such as swimming pools, gyms, etc.
• Staff travel – Pilots are guaranteed one return ticket in business class to their home city every year on Riyadh Air or with another airline if RX does not fly there. On the other hand, families and friends receive 20 confirmed round-trip tickets in a calendar year.
• Bonus and increments – A bonus equivalent to the salary of one month is paid out during the month of Ramadan, while a 5% increment on the annual salary is offered each year. This is in addition to the pilots automatically entering the airline’s profit-sharing pool.
• Insurance – All Riyadh Air pilots will be offered a comprehensive health and life insurance policy valid globally. This mitigates the risk of facing unforeseen expenses on treatment, whereas in the case of the loss of the life of the employee, their family receives a generous payout.

Photo: Riyadh Air

What Aircraft will RX pilots fly?

Riyadh Air pilots will operate a fleet of Airbus A321neo and Boeing 787-9 aircraft.

The airline has 60 of the narrow-body planes on order with options to convert them to long-range or extended long-range options as well.

On the other hand, 39 Dreamliners are also on their way to RX. The 787s will be equipped with 24 business class seats, 39 premium economy seats, and 223 economy class seats. Presently, a 787-9 has also been leased from Oman Air for training.

Photo: GACA

How to Become a Pilot at Riyadh Air?

Riyadh Air requires its first officers applying for the Airbus A321neo and Boeing 787-9 are both expected to fulfil the below requirements.

• You will possess a minimum of 2000 hours total flying time with multi-crew, multi-engine jet aircraft. Only time in the operating seat will be counted, not simulator, Flight Engineer, or Second Officer time.
• Additional mandatory requirements include a valid ICAO ATPL, unrestricted class one medical certificate, and ICAO English level 5 or above.

Captains applying to fly the 787-9 must meet the following criteria.

• To qualify for this role, you should have a minimum of 6,000 hours of total flying time on multi-crew, multi-engine aircraft, including at least 2,000 hours of recent command experience on wide-body aircraft, preferably on a Boeing 787 or 777. Please note that only time spent in the operating seat of a turbojet aircraft will be considered.
• You must also hold a valid ICAO ATPL, an unrestricted class one medical certificate, and an ICAO English level 5 or higher certification. Additionally, candidates should have logged a minimum of 150 hours in command within the last 12 months prior to joining the Riyadh Air team.
• Applicants must be below 59 years of age.

Captains applying to fly the A321neo are expected to fulfil the following requirements.

• To qualify for this role, you should have a minimum of 6,000 hours of total flying time on multi-crew, multi-engine aircraft, including at least 2,000 hours of recent command experience, preferably within the Airbus A320 family. Please note that only time spent in the operating seat of a turbojet aircraft will be considered.
• You must also hold a valid ICAO ATPL, an unrestricted class one medical certificate, and an ICAO English level 5 or higher certification. Additionally, candidates should have logged a minimum of 150 hours in command within the last 12 months prior to joining the Riyadh Air team.
• Applicants must be below 59 years of age.

Photo: Riyadh Air

Riyadh Air Pilot FAQs

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The post Riyadh Air Pilot Salary in 2025 appeared first on Aviation A2Z.