Riyadh Air Launches Hafawa Lounge in Preparation for Commercial Operations
- Joe Breitfeller
- 19 minutes ago
- 3 min read
Riyadh Air has announced the official launch of their Hafawa Lounge at King Khalid International Airport (RUH). Designed by the acclaimed global studio Yabu Pushelberg, the space reflects the spirit of Saudi generosity and hospitality.
On Tuesday (February 17, 2026), Riyadh Air announced the launch of the Hafawa Lounge, their first premium lounge at King Khalid International Airport. Located Between Terminals 1 and 2, the lounge is an important stop on the Riyadh Air journey, which is defined by Hafawa, a deeply rooted Saudi cultural value defined by warmth and generosity, shaped by emotion and powered by advanced technology. Designed in partnership with the acclaimed firm Yabu Pushelberg, the nearly 2,000 square meter space can accommodate approximately 370 Business Elite and Business Class guests.
In Tuesday’s announcement, Riyadh Air’s Director of Guest Experience, Mody Alkhalaf, said,
“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. 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. Representing the sense of ‘hafawa’ or hospitality, this is a special space that relaxes, refuels and reenergizes guests before their travel with Riyadh Air.”
Also commenting on the lounge design collaboration, Yabu Pushelberg’s Co-Founder, Glen Pushelberg, said,
“Our goal was to create a space that supports the emotional side of travel. 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.”
Yabu Pushelberg’s Co-Founder, George Yabu, added,
“Rather than designing a single environment, we envisioned the lounge as a home made up of distinct rooms. Each space has its own character an, allowing guests to shape their own experience.”
Riyadh Air’s new Hafawa Lounge was conceived as an immersive, residential-inspired setting, balancing a sense of monumentality with moments of intimacy. Inspired by the Saudi desert landscape, 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.
A carefully orchestrated circadian lighting system evolves throughout the day, warm at dawn, cooler through midday, and warm again at dusk, echoing the natural rhythms of desert light. Nuanced accents 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.
The Hafawa Lounge is composed as a sequence of interconnected rooms, each supporting different moods and offering guests a tailored experience. A sculptural arrival zone signals a clear transition from terminal to sanctuary, leading into the central 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. Intuitive wayfinding, immersive media installations, and discreet, technology-enabled service touchpoints enhance ease and flow without compromising warmth or human connection. Guests will be welcomed with traditional Saudi coffee and premium dates, a simple yet meaningful gesture that grounds the experience in the spirit of Hafawa.
Source: Riyadh Air