Riyadh Air Pilot Requirements 2026: Hours, Licence and Hiring Process
Saudi Arabia’s new flag carrier is hiring both seats on the 787 ahead of its first commercial flights: 2,000 hours on multi-crew, multi-engine jets counting operating-seat time only, an ICAO ATPL, an unrestricted Class 1, ICAO English 5 and age under 59. A current 787 rating is preferred, A321neo streams are expected as narrow-body deliveries begin, and the airline has run recruitment roadshows across the UK, Asia, South America and the Middle East — reportedly against more than two million applications across all roles.
Always confirm on the airline’s own careers page before applying. Every figure here is what the airline published at the date shown against it on our jobs board; entries marked Unconfirmed are ones whose requirements we found but whose current vacancy status we could not establish from the airline’s own pages. Vacancies open and close without notice.
Is Riyadh Air hiring pilots now?
Recruiting at the last check on 21 September 2026 — First Officer seat: Recruiting; Captain seat: Recruiting. B787 First Officers and Captains for the start-up flag carrier: 2,000 h multi-crew jet (operating seat only), ICAO ATPL, ELP 5, under 59
What the airline’s own material showed: Riyadh Air’s own pilot recruitment portal posting “First Officer B787” (pilots-riyadhair.icims.com job 1124) appeared in search results on 21 September 2026, relayed by PilotsGlobal and Pilot Career Center, with Captain recruitment on the Dreamliner also reported and A321neo positions expected as narrow-body deliveries begin. Riyadh Air has run recruitment roadshows across the UK, Asia, South America and the Middle East. Not read directly on the portal.
Requirements, as published
| Requirement | As published by the airline |
|---|---|
| Licence | Valid ICAO ATPL |
| Minimum hours | 2,000 h on multi-crew, multi-engine jet aircraft — only operating-seat time counts |
| Type rating | Current B787 rating preferred |
| Right to work | Saudi residence visa sponsored |
| Medical | Class 1 unrestricted |
| English | ICAO Level 5 or above |
| Age | Under 59 |
Entry routes
- Direct entry First Officer B787
- Direct entry Captain B787
- A321neo streams expected from late 2026
Selection process
The airline does not publish its selection stages in detail; expect an online application, screening against the published minimums, an interview and a simulator or aptitude assessment before the medical.
Bases and fleet
Bases: Riyadh
Fleet: B787-9 · A321neo (on order)
How to prepare
A start-up interview asks how you would build SOPs, not only recite them. Rated candidates are assessed on the 787; non-rated candidates should show wide-body-ready systems understanding, which the ATPL theory banks and the A320 and B737 banks (for jet systems logic) support. Expect psychometric testing, panel interviews and a simulator stage; the Riyadh-based package was widely reported but confirm the current terms on the posting.
Then read the complete airline pilot interview guide for the HR and competency stages, and check Riyadh Air’s entry on the jobs board for the latest status.
What we could not confirm
- Researched on 21 September 2026 from search-engine results of the airline’s own careers pages, job postings and industry job boards — not from a direct read of the portal. Confirm the vacancy is still open before you apply.
- Captain hours minimum
- Package details beyond press reports
These points are not published clearly by the airline. Treat them as leads, not facts, and confirm them on the careers page: careers page.
Common questions
Is Riyadh Air hiring pilots right now? Recruiting at the last check (21 September 2026): First Officer seat recruiting, Captain seat recruiting. B787 First Officers and Captains for the start-up flag carrier: 2,000 h multi-crew jet (operating seat only), ICAO ATPL, ELP 5, under 59 Confirm on the airline’s own careers page before applying.
How many flight hours do you need to join Riyadh Air? 2,000 h multi-crew jet. In full: 2,000 h on multi-crew, multi-engine jet aircraft — only operating-seat time counts.
Does Riyadh Air hire direct entry Captains? Yes — Riyadh Air was taking Captain applications at the last check.
Does Riyadh Air provide the type rating? B787 preferred. In full: Current B787 rating preferred.
Do I need the right to work in Saudi Arabia? Saudi residence visa sponsored.
What is Riyadh Air’s pilot selection process? Not published in detail; expect application screening, an interview and a simulator or aptitude assessment before the medical.
Prepare for the assessment, not just the application
Getting the interview is the easy half. v1prep has 16,000+ technical questions with every answer cited to its source — A320, B737, EASA ATPL theory and the FAA writtens.
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