Travelling between Riyadh and Tokyo is about to become much easier. Saudia will launch direct flights between King Khalid International Airport and Tokyo Narita on 17 November 2026, giving passengers a new way to reach Japan without connecting through another city.
The route will operate three times each week on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays using a Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner. Flights are scheduled to leave Riyadh at 1 am and arrive at Tokyo Narita at 5.25 pm local time. The return service will depart Tokyo at 9.30 pm, and land in Riyadh at 5.25 am the following morning.
Tickets are already available through Saudia’s website, mobile app and authorised sales outlets. The new service has been introduced in partnership with Saudi Arabia’s Air Connectivity Program and the Saudi Tourism Authority. Along with making travel more convenient for people living in Riyadh, it is expected to support tourism and business travel between Saudi Arabia and Japan.
For Riyadh residents, the direct flight removes one of the more tiring parts of travelling to Tokyo. Current journeys usually involve changing planes somewhere along the way, adding several hours to an already long trip and creating another opportunity for delays or missed connections.
A direct route does not make Tokyo close, but it does make the journey far more straightforward. Travellers can leave Riyadh in the early hours and arrive in Japan that evening without first spending half a day moving between airports.
The overnight schedule may also make the journey easier to manage. Passengers can board in Riyadh, settle in for the longest part of the flight and arrive in Tokyo with the evening still ahead of them.
The connection should also make it easier for travellers from Japan to reach Saudi Arabia. The Saudi Tourism Authority is working with travel companies in the country to develop packages and encourage more Japanese visitors to explore the Kingdom.
The timing comes ahead of the AFC Asian Cup 2027, when Saudi Arabia is expected to welcome football supporters from across the continent. A direct connection with Tokyo should make the journey simpler for Japanese fans planning to attend.
Beyond major events, the route creates another practical option for holidays, work trips and longer visits to Japan. Tokyo has never been difficult to place on a travel wish list.
Convincing everyone in the group chat to agree on dates has usually been the harder part. With a direct connection finally on the schedule, that trip has become much easier to book.
