Riyadh Air Unveils Hafawa Lounge in Riyadh, Redefining Premium Airport Hospitality Ahead of Launch

Riyadh Air has opened the Hafawa Lounge, its first premium airport lounge at King Khalid International Airport (RUH), setting a new design-led benchmark for business‑class hospitality as the airline prepares for commercial operations. Created in collaboration with globally acclaimed studio Yabu Pushelberg, the lounge translates the deeply rooted Saudi value of hafawa—warmth and generosity—into a contemporary, tech‑forward sanctuary that feels more like a beautifully curated home than a traditional airline lounge.

A 2,000 m² sanctuary between Terminals 1 and 2

Strategically located between Terminals 1 and 2, the Hafawa Lounge spans nearly 2,000 square metres and can comfortably host around 370 Business Elite and Business Class guests. The opening marks a major milestone in Riyadh Air’s ramp‑up to launch, signalling that design and guest experience will sit at the heart of the brand from the very first step of the journey.

Rather than a single open‑plan hall, the lounge is composed as a sequence of interconnected rooms, each tailored to different moods—rest, work, dining, conversation or quiet reflection. This zoned, residential‑style layout lets guests intuitively shape their time according to how they feel, whether they want to socialise, focus or fully switch off before a flight.

Desert‑inspired design: where earth meets sky

Yabu Pushelberg’s concept draws heavily on Saudi Arabia’s desert landscapes, where earth and sky meet along a soft horizon. The interiors explore a series of deliberate contrasts—grounded yet ethereal, tactile yet technologically advanced—using a restrained palette of limestone, oak, bronze and textured plaster to create a calm, atmospheric backdrop.

Light is central to the experience. A carefully orchestrated circadian lighting system shifts throughout the day—warm at dawn, cooler at midday, warm again at dusk—echoing the natural rhythm of desert light and supporting guests’ sense of time and wellbeing. Accents of peach, lavender and indigo subtly reference Riyadh Air’s brand palette, helping with orientation and reinforcing a sense of place without overwhelming the senses.

Spaces that mirror the guest’s mood

The Hafawa Lounge is designed as a “home of distinct rooms”, each with its own character and purpose. Key zones include:

• A sculptural arrival zone that marks the transition from terminal to sanctuary.
• The central Pantry, conceived for informal dining and relaxed interaction.
• The Balcony Café along runway‑facing windows, offering a more social, observatory feel.
• The Study and The Parlor, which evoke private living rooms and invite guests to linger in quieter, more intimate surroundings.
• The Cabinet and more intimate Cellar, layered destinations where social energy and conversation naturally gather.
• Spa‑like bathrooms, garden‑facing seating areas and private sleeping pods designed for both solo travellers and families who need privacy and restoration.

Together, these spaces create a natural rhythm, allowing guests to move fluidly between social, reflective and restorative experiences depending on their needs before flight.

Technology woven quietly into the experience

True to Riyadh Air’s digital‑native philosophy, technology is woven through the Hafawa Lounge in a way that enhances flow without detracting from warmth or human connection. Features include:

• Intuitive digital wayfinding and barrier‑free access that simplify navigation.
• Immersive media installations and an Immersive Room, showcasing digital content and interactive experiences that reflect Riyadh Air’s tech‑forward identity.
• Discreet, technology‑enabled service touchpoints that make it easy to request assistance, adjust settings or discover information without breaking the sense of calm.

Despite the advanced tech, hospitality remains deeply human. Guests are welcomed with traditional Saudi coffee and premium dates, grounding the experience in local culture and signalling generosity from the moment they arrive.

A new benchmark for premium airport lounges

For Riyadh Air, the Hafawa Lounge is more than an amenity; it’s a statement of intent and a preview of the airline’s wider brand promise. By fusing place‑specific design, emotional intelligence and seamless technology, the lounge offers a compelling glimpse into how the carrier intends to redefine premium travel as it moves toward full commercial operations.

In a landscape where many lounges still feel interchangeable, Hafawa stands out as a Saudi‑rooted, globally relevant space that takes the emotional side of travel seriously—helping guests reset, refuel and re‑energise before they ever step on board.