The new space reflects the Riyadh Air’s ambition to redefine hospitality and premium travel experiences in the Kingdom
- Riyadh Air’s Hafawa Lounge at King Khalid International Airport (RUH), designed by acclaimed global studio Yabu Pushelberg, reflects the spirit of Saudi generosity and hospitality.
- Seamless integration of Saudi heritage with innovative technology provides a sophisticated, soothing environment.
Riyadh Air has launched the Hafawa Lounge, its first premium airport lounge at King Khalid International Airport, designed in collaboration with the internationally acclaimed multidisciplinary studio Yabu Pushelberg.
The guest experience at the Hafawa Lounge is an essential part of the airline’s innovative, scientifically-designed restorative sensory journey, carefully considered to help each guest reset, recharge and explore their destination, renewed.
Envisioned as far more than a place to pass time in, the lounge is an important stop on the Riyadh Air journey – defined by Hafawa, a deeply rooted Saudi cultural value defined by warmth and generosity – shaped by emotion and powered byadvanced technology.
Located between Terminals 1 and 2, the Hafawa Lounge spans nearly 2,000 square meters and capable of comfortably welcoming approximately 370 Business Elite and Business Class guests. The opening of the Hafawa Lounge marks a defining moment in Riyadh Air’s preparations for commercial launch, placing design and innovation at the center of the guest encounter from the very first step.
“The Hafawa Lounge reflects our belief that design and technology play an important role in shaping the guest experience – elements which are part of every step of the guest’s journey with Riyadh Air,” said Mody Alkhalaf Director of Guest Experience at Riyadh Air. “Working with Yabu Pushelberg allowed us to bring together the traditional warmth of Saudi hospitality with contemporary, future-forward design to offer a space that supports comfort, emotional wellbeing, and generosity throughout the journey.”
Departing from the conventions of traditional airline lounges, Yabu Pushelberg conceived the project as an immersive, residential-inspired setting – balancing a sense of monumentality with moments of intimacy. Inspired by the Saudi desert landscape, where earth meets sky, the interiors explore a series of intentional contrasts: grounded yet ethereal, tactile yet technologically advanced. A restrained palette of limestone, oak, and textured plaster establishes a calm, atmospheric backdrop that unfolds gradually as guests move through the lounge.
Light is integral to the experience. A carefully orchestrated circadian system evolves throughout the day – warm at dawn, cooler through midday, and warm again at dusk – echoing the natural rhythms of desert light. Within this framework, nuancedaccents of color – peach, lavender, and indigo – appear at key moments, subtly referencing Riyadh Air’s brand palette while enhancing orientation, comfort, and a sense of place.
Rather than a single open-plan environment, the Hafawa Lounge is composed as a sequence of interconnected rooms, each supporting different moods and offering guests to tailor their ways of traveling. A sculptural arrival zone signals a clear transition from terminal to sanctuary, leading into thecentral Pantry designed for informal dining and interaction. Along expansive runway-facing windows, the Balcony Café offers a more social atmosphere, while quieter spaces such as The Study and The Parlor evoke the intimacy of private living rooms, encouraging guests to linger.
Social energy gathers around the Cabinet and the more intimate Cellar, conceived as layered destinations, while spa-like bathrooms, garden-facing seating areas, and private sleeping pods – designed to accommodate both individual travelers and families – offermoments for retreat and restoration. Together, these spaces create a natural rhythm, allowing guests to move intuitively through the lounge and shape their own experience – whether social, reflective, or restorative.
“Our goal was to create a space that supports the emotional side of travel,” said Glenn Pushelberg, Co-Founder of Yabu Pushelberg. “Through the carefully considered use of light, textures, spaces, and atmosphere, the Hafawa Lounge offers a sense of calm, generosity, and freedom to move before guests take flight.”
“Rather than designing a single environment, we envisioned the lounge as a home made up of distinct rooms,” added George Yabu, Co-Founder of Yabu Pushelberg. “Each space has its own character and purpose, allowing guests to shape their own experience.”
Guided by Riyadh Air’s digital-native philosophy, innovation is seamlessly integrated throughout the lounge. Intuitive wayfinding, immersive media installations, and discreet, technology-enabled service touchpoints enhance ease and flow without compromising warmth or human connection. Guests are welcomed with traditional Saudi coffee and premium dates – a simple yet meaningful gesture that grounds the experience in the spirit of Hafawa.
Through this collaboration, Riyadh Air and Yabu Pushelberg present a new vision for refined premium travel- one in which design, technology, and emotion are key elements of the Riyadh Air journey. The Hafawa Lounge sets a new benchmark for airport lounges and offers a compelling glimpse into the future of travel, shaped by place, feeling, and innovation.
