In late 2025, Delta Air Lines announced plans to launch a flashy and unconventional route for a U.S. airline by October of the following year: The new flight between Atlanta’s Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport (ATL) and Riyadh’s King Khalid International Airport (RUH) would be the first nonstop flight by a U.S. airline to Saudi Arabia.
The decision to expand into the Middle Eastern country comes amid growing tourism numbers as the country strives to develop its tourism industry to rival nearby Dubai, the United Arab Emirates, and shed its past reputation as a closed country.
Almost all of this was turned upside down when the United States and Israel launched a joint attack on Iran in February 2026, plunging the entire Middle East into chaos that continued to spread beyond the site of the original attack.
Delta Air Lines confirms much-hyped Atlanta-Riyadh flight delays
In the latest escalation, the Islamist paramilitary Houthis launched a series of cruise missile attacks on Saudi Arabia’s main airport on October 10, killing 13 travelers and injuring hundreds.
As the risk of subsequent attacks at the airport remains high (a second attack on October 13 killed one person and injured 11 others), most international airlines have suspended all flights to Riyadh until at least November, while delaying the restart of services until 2027 in some cases.
RELATED: Airports closed after Houthi attack, international airlines cancel flights
While European airlines such as KLM still hope to resume flights to Riyadh by November, Delta Air Lines has now confirmed it will delay the launch of the Atlanta-Riyadh route until March 2027.
Flight closures at King Khalid International Airport were also recently extended until October 17.
Shutterstock
“Delta Airlines to delay planned nonstop service between Atlanta and Riyadh”
“Due to developments in the region, Delta Air Lines is postponing its planned nonstop service between Atlanta and Riyadh, Saudi Arabia,” the airline said in a statement. “The safety of our customers and employees always comes first and continues to guide our operational decisions. We remain in close contact with relevant governments and aviation partners, including Saudi Arabian Airlines and Riyadh Airways, as we monitor the situation.”
More travel news:
- Airlines to launch unusual new flights from US to Cayman Islands
- The Bahamas has a really cool Irish version of a swimming pig
- Unexpected country becomes most luxurious travel destination in 2026
- Low-cost airline launches more convenient way to travel to Sri Lanka
The suspension is undoubtedly a disappointment for passengers who had already booked travel on the flight, and for the airline itself, given the amount of hype the company had built on it in the months leading up to its original launch date.
Travelers who have booked travel on the Atlanta-Riyadh route will receive notification from the airline regarding their options to reschedule or refund their flight.
Delta Air Lines confirmed that passengers whose fare class does not allow them to travel will be able to receive refunds through their original payment method.
“Saudi Arabia remains an important market for Delta Air Lines and we are committed to serving the kingdom for the long term,” Delta said further about the suspension. “We look forward to connecting Saudi Arabia to Delta’s global network in March 2027.”
RELATED: Delta Air Lines to invest heavily in Saudi Arabia tourism