Big Order Alert: Riyadh Air Goes Big with B787-9s & -10s!

So, Riyadh Air just dropped a big order for 28 more Dreamliners, split between eight B787-9s and twenty B787-10s. It's interesting that they're adding the -10 variant for the first time. Plus, they're also going for six more A350-1000s, all from converted options. It seems like Riyadh Air is really ramping up their fleet.

I think it's pretty cool to see them diversify and expand like this. The B787-10s are longer than the -9s, so they're probably looking at more passenger capacity. But no word on when these planes are actually going to be delivered. I wonder how this will play into their route strategy. Are they planning to open more long-haul routes or just beef up existing ones?

Also, just curious - how do you guys think this will affect their operations? Is the mix of B787s and A350s going to give them more flexibility, or could it complicate things a bit? I'm not sure, but it'll be interesting to see how it unfolds. What do you all think?

I think the mix of B787s and A350s will give Riyadh Air some solid flexibility. The 787-10 is perfect for high-capacity routes that aren't as long, while the A350-1000 can handle those ultra-long hauls. But yeah, managing a diverse fleet could be tricky. They'll need to juggle maintenance and crew training for different types. I'm curious if they plan to compete with the big Middle Eastern carriers or carve out their own niche.