Riyadh Air signs two new strategic partnerships to elevate the guest travel experience

Hospitality | Up in the Air // Aug 2025

Riyadh Air has signed two strategic partnerships with Saudi Coffee Company and Milaf Global Food Company, as part of its efforts to elevate the guest experience with genuine cultural touches.

Riyadh Air, the new national carrier for the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, has signed two strategic Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) with Saudi Coffee Company and Milaf Global Food Company. Through these partnerships, Riyadh Air will bring the Kingdom’s celebrated coffee and date traditions to its guest offering onboard every flight, in the premium lounge and throughout the airline’s operational headquarters.

“Bringing together Saudi Coffee Company and Milaf Global Food Company with Riyadh Air unites three brands driven by a passion for excellence and a desire to share the best of Saudi Arabia with the world,” said Adam Boukaidia, Chief Financial Officer, Riyadh Air. “These partnerships enrich our guest experience with genuine cultural touches and create lasting value through collaboration with PIF companies. By weaving premium Saudi coffee and date-based products into every stage of the Riyadh Air journey, we are proud to offer guests a warm welcome that is uniquely Saudi.”

These agreements are built on a shared commitment to showcasing Saudi Arabia’s vibrant culture while elevating the guest journey. Riyadh Air customers will enjoy a thoughtfully curated selection of Saudi coffee blends sourced from farms in the southern regions of Jazan, Abha, and Al Baha areas renowned for coffee cultivation at altitudes of over 1,000m, ensuring every cup reflects the Kingdom’s rich coffee legacy. Guests will savour a tempting variety of premium date selections grown across the Kingdom, handpicked with care from some of the Kingdom’s 34 million palm trees, Milaf Global Food Company selects only the top 5-7% of the harvest to offer the most exquisite dates, including Ajwa, Sukari and Segai varieties. Adding to this authentic experience, Milaf Global Food Company introduces its innovative Cola, crafted from natural date extract, which will be served on board Riyadh Air flights. Together, these offerings invite guests to experience the flavours that have welcomed travellers for generations – symbols of hospitality deeply rooted in Saudi tradition.

By partnering with the Saudi Coffee Company and Milaf Global Food Company, Riyadh Air opens new doors for cultural exchange and authentic local experiences, while supporting the Kingdom’s Vision 2030 ambitions for hospitality and tourism.

“The partnership with Riyadh Air is a step toward making Milaf an integral part of the modern Saudi travel experience, and a new gateway to the world with a local vision and global ambition,” said Bander Alqahtani, Chief Executive Officer, Milaf Global Food Company.

With these partnerships, every journey becomes an invitation to discover Saudi Arabia’s timeless traditions and warm hospitality. Whether you’re savouring a cup of aromatic Saudi coffee in the sky or enjoying a selection of dates in the premium lounges, guests will experience the Kingdom’s spirit in every detail.

“Our collaboration with Riyadh Air marks a strategic step towards enhancing the travel experience by offering premium Saudi coffee in distinguished travel environments,” said Khalid AbuTheeb, Chief Executive Officer, Saudi Coffee Company. “At Saudi Coffee Company, we believe that what we offer goes beyond just a product, it is a cultural heritage that reflects the Kingdom’s authenticity and showcases its excellence in the world of hospitality.”