Riyadh Air Manila flights: daily schedule and travel checklist

Riyadh Air launched nonstop flights between Riyadh and Manila on September 9, 2026. The airline's current announcement and launch-day update describe the service as daily, giving travelers a new direct option between King Khalid International Airport and Ninoy Aquino International Airport.

The direct flight removes a connection, but it does not remove the checks around entry status, Philippine eTravel, baggage, terminals or onward transport. Those details can matter more than the headline when a trip involves work documents, family pickups or a separate domestic flight.

Illustration: original editorial image created for Roaming eSIM. It does not depict the inaugural flight, a specific terminal or an actual Riyadh Air livery.

The short answer: Riyadh Air currently lists RX873 from Riyadh to Manila at 1:05 a.m. to 3:55 p.m. and RX874 from Manila to Riyadh at 5:25 p.m. to 10:15 p.m., every day. All times are local. Manila is five hours ahead of Riyadh, so each scheduled journey lasts about nine hours and 50 minutes. Recheck the issued itinerary before travel because airline schedules and terminals can change.

This guide was checked at 7:10 p.m. WEST on September 9, 2026. The airline's booking, the passenger's issued ticket and the relevant government authority control an individual trip.

The current Riyadh to Manila schedule

Manila is five hours ahead of Riyadh. That time difference is already reflected in the elapsed times above; subtracting the clock readings without adjusting the time zone gives the wrong answer.

Riyadh Air says it operates the route with a Boeing 787-9. The airline's launch-day post says its inaugural flight landed and that daily service had started. A same-day secondary report described a different initial frequency, but the current first-party announcement and airline update both say daily. For a specific date, the flight shown in the booking result and issued itinerary is the useful answer.

Neither a route launch nor a published timetable guarantees that every flight will leave on time. Check RX873 or RX874 again before setting out for the airport, especially when an arrival connects to a separate ticket, a work reporting time or a long road transfer.

Confirm the terminal instead of assuming it

RUH and MNL are airport codes, not terminal instructions. Save the terminal shown at check-in and compare it with the airport display on the day. A terminal printed in an older article or screenshot may no longer apply.

At Riyadh, King Khalid International Airport says free terminal shuttles run every ten minutes. The airport also lists taxis and the Uber and Careem ride-hailing services across Terminals 1 to 5. Use the airport's current signs or transport pages for the pickup point rather than arranging to meet at an unverified door number.

At Manila, allow time for immigration, bags and customs before promising a pickup time. If someone is meeting the flight, send the live terminal and arrival status once the airline confirms them. A scheduled 3:55 p.m. landing is not the same as reaching the public arrivals area at 3:55 p.m.

Check the baggage line on the ticket

Riyadh Air's current international Economy page lists 25 kg of checked baggage for Lite, 30 kg for Smart and 35 kg for Flex. It lists one Economy cabin bag up to 7 kg and 56 by 36 by 23 cm. A checked piece must not exceed 32 kg, even when the total fare allowance is higher.

Those published figures are a starting point, not permission to ignore the booking. Fare, cabin, route, loyalty status, interline arrangements and later airline changes can affect an allowance. The airline's own pages also show inconsistent personal-item weights, so this guide does not assign one universal figure. The allowance in the issued ticket or Manage Order should settle the packing decision.

Weigh bags before leaving home. Keep passports, residence documents, medicine, chargers and valuables in cabin baggage within the applicable rules. If the trip continues on another airline or a separate domestic booking, check that carrier independently; Riyadh Air's allowance does not automatically carry over.

Complete Philippine eTravel within the official window

The Philippine government's eTravel FAQ says arriving Filipino and foreign passengers generally need to register, subject to the exceptions it lists. Registration is free and should be completed only through the official site within 72 hours before arrival.

Prepare the passport, travel details, Philippine address and other information requested by the form. Save or screenshot the QR code after registration so it remains available if mobile data or airport Wi-Fi is slow. A paid site or person offering to issue an eTravel code is not the official process.

eTravel is an arrival registration, not a visa and not a guarantee of admission. Visa or entry eligibility still depends on the traveler's passport, status and purpose. Check the relevant Philippine authority when the answer is not clear.

Treat Saudi entry as a passport-and-status question

Passengers flying Manila to Riyadh may be Saudi citizens, residents, workers returning with valid documents, family visitors or tourists. Those categories do not share one entry rule.

Saudi Arabia's official eVisa portal currently says eligible visitors from 66 countries can apply for a one-year, multiple-entry tourist eVisa with stays of up to 90 days. The Philippines is not shown in the portal's visible eligible-country list, so a Filipino passport alone should not be treated as proof of eVisa eligibility. Existing Saudi residence or work status is a different case.

Check the official portal, the relevant Saudi embassy or the authority responsible for the traveler's status before booking a non-refundable trip. Confirm passport validity, visa or residence status, exit and re-entry requirements, and any documents connected to the purpose of travel. An airline selling a seat does not decide whether a passenger may enter the country.

Protect onward connections and separate tickets

A nonstop flight can simplify the long sector while leaving a risky connection at either end. If the next flight is on the same protected itinerary, ask the airline how bags and disruption are handled. If it is a separate ticket, assume that collecting bags, changing terminals and checking in again may be required until the airlines confirm otherwise.

At Manila, build in time for arrival formalities and local traffic. At Riyadh, allow for immigration, baggage reclaim and the terminal or ground journey. Do not place an inflexible domestic flight, coach or work commitment immediately after the scheduled arrival without understanding the missed-connection consequence.

Riyadh Air's fare-bundle guidance notes that interline and codeshare conditions can differ. The presence of another airline in a search result does not prove through-checked bags or automatic rebooking. Get the answer for the exact ticket before payment.

Mobile data at both ends of the route

A Saudi Arabia Roaming eSIM can support maps, ride-hailing and messages around Riyadh. A Philippines Roaming eSIM can cover the Manila side. Travelers continuing through more countries can compare Asia 20 Areas or Global 120 Areas, but the live country list on the selected card must include every needed stop.

Check data allowance, validity, network label, hotspot support, activation timing and top-up status before checkout. Not every plan is reloadable. Travel eSIMs are generally data-only unless a package explicitly includes calls, SMS or a phone number.

Install the plan while reliable Wi-Fi is available, then follow its activation instructions. An eSIM supplies mobile data after the supported network is available; it is not onboard aircraft Wi-Fi. Keep the eTravel QR code, itinerary, hotel address and essential contacts offline as well.

Our guides also explain when to install an eSIM, whether a phone supports eSIM and how much mobile data to plan.

Ten questions about Riyadh Air Manila flights

Are Riyadh Air flights between Riyadh and Manila operating now?

Yes. Riyadh Air said its inaugural Manila flight landed on September 9, 2026, and that daily flights had begun. Check the live status for the specific travel date.

What days does Riyadh Air fly to Manila?

The airline's current announcement lists daily service in both directions. The issued itinerary controls if the schedule changes after booking.

What are the RX873 and RX874 flight times?

RX873 is scheduled from Riyadh at 1:05 a.m. to Manila at 3:55 p.m. RX874 is scheduled from Manila at 5:25 p.m. to Riyadh at 10:15 p.m. All times are local.

How long is the Riyadh to Manila flight?

Both directions are scheduled for about nine hours and 50 minutes. Manila is five hours ahead of Riyadh, so the clock times need a time-zone adjustment.

Which aircraft does Riyadh Air use on the Manila route?

Riyadh Air's route announcement identifies the Boeing 787-9. An aircraft substitution can still occur on an individual flight.

Which terminal does Riyadh Air use at RUH or MNL?

Use the terminal shown during check-in and verify it on the day. Do not rely on an old article because operational terminal assignments can change.

How much checked baggage is included?

Riyadh Air currently publishes 25 kg for Economy Lite, 30 kg for Smart and 35 kg for Flex on international trips. The allowance shown on the issued ticket or Manage Order controls.

Do passengers arriving in Manila need eTravel?

The Philippine government says arriving Filipino and foreign passengers generally register unless an official exception applies. Complete the free form on the official site within 72 hours before arrival.

Can a Filipino passport holder use the Saudi tourist eVisa?

The Philippines is not in the visible eligible-country list on Saudi Arabia's current official eVisa portal. Entry may instead depend on another visa, residence or work status, so check the official authority for the individual case.

Is an eSIM useful on the flight itself?

No. A travel eSIM connects to supported mobile networks on the ground; it does not provide aircraft Wi-Fi. It can help with maps, messages, ride-hailing and document access after arrival.

How we will track changes to the Manila service

The launch date, flight numbers, local times, daily frequency and aircraft come from Riyadh Air's route announcement and its launch-day update. Same-day reports from AeroCorner and Arab News corroborate the start of operations.

Baggage and connection boundaries come from Riyadh Air's current baggage allowance and fare bundle pages. Philippine arrival registration comes from the official eTravel FAQ. Saudi tourist eVisa eligibility comes from the official Saudi eVisa portal, and Riyadh ground-transport details come from King Khalid International Airport.

We will update this page if Riyadh Air changes the schedule, frequency, flight numbers, baggage rules or operating status, or if the relevant authorities change entry procedures. Travelers should still check their issued itinerary and current government requirements before departure.