Riyadh Air Opts for NSG Connectivity On Board Incoming A321neos
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Riyadh Air has selected Neo Space Group (NSG) to provide in-flight connectivity (IFC) services on its incoming Airbus A321neo fleet. The carrier ordered 60 of the type in October 2024. Both Riyadh Air and NSG are part of Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund (PIF), which is the driving force behind the Kingdom’s Vision 2030 initiative that aims to transform the country into a global transportation hub.
The first A321neo equipped with NSG’s Skywaves platform, which was brought in-house following the NSG’s acquisition of Display Interactive in September 2025, is scheduled to be delivered to Riyadh Air during the fourth quarter of this year line-fit with IFC and will operate on short- to medium-haul routes.
“As the world’s first digitally native airline, Riyadh Air is reimagining what air travel can be by fusing advanced technology, seamless connectivity, and authentic Saudi hospitality.”
– Adam Boukadida, Riyadh Air
Skywaves will be powered by Airbus HBC+ hardware including the Thinkom Ka2517 antenna, which is already installed on over 1,700 aircraft worldwide. It leverages the SES’ Open Orbits network that provides global coverage using middle-Earth orbit (MEO) and geostationary (GEO) satellites.
IFC offering speeds of up to 300Mbps will be free to access for members of Riyadh Air’s Sfeer loyalty program. Passengers will be able to sign up during their flights using a simple registration process. NSG said passengers can use the service to stream, message, browse, game, and stay productive at 35,000-feet in the same way they would on the ground.
“This partnership underscores NSG’s commitment to innovation and to delivering best-in-class connectivity across Saudi Arabia,” said Neo Space Group CEO Martijn Blanken. “We are proud to collaborate with Riyadh Air to create a digitally seamless experience for passengers, reflecting the Kingdom’s vision for the future of aviation.”
Riyadh Air CFO Adam Boukadida stated, “As the world’s first digitally native airline, Riyadh Air is reimagining what air travel can be by fusing advanced technology, seamless connectivity, and authentic Saudi hospitality […] We are dedicated to setting new global standards for digital aviation, leveraging the ambitious Saudi technical infrastructure that truly brings this partnership to life.”
“This partnership underscores NSG’s commitment to innovation and to delivering best-in-class connectivity across Saudi Arabia.”
– Martin Blanken, Neo Space Group
Riyadh Air entered into commercial service with flights between Riyadh and London Heathrow on a Boeing 787-Dreamliner last October. Viasat provides the in-flight Wi-Fi service onboard the carrier’s long-haul aircraft.
In terms of in-flight entertainment, Riyadh Air has opted to install Panasonic Avionics’ (PAC) Astrova system. The airline was the launch customer for PAC’s Modular Interactive design tool to easily update the IFE user experience, and worked with FlightPath3D for over a year to design its 3D moving map.
It becomes the third carrier to choose NSG’s in-flight connectivity offering for its Airbus A321neos after national carriers THAI Airways and Uzbekistan Airways. The first THAI Airways A321neo equipped with NSG’s Skywaves platform is set to take off later this quarter.