The aircraft were moved by land to the site.
Laser tag in set up in one of Saudia’s retired Boeing 777 airframes at The BLVD Runway Zone in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia (Photo: Filip Kopec)
Saudia Group has collaborated with Riyadh Season 2024 to unveil the “BLVD Runway” zone featuring Saudia Airlines’ retired Boeing 777 airframes.
Riyadh Season is one of Saudi Arabia’s largest entertainment festivals, bringing together culture, sports, and other events in the heart of the capital. Launched in 2019 by the General Entertainment Authority, it is part of the broader Saudi Seasons initiative, supporting Saudi Vision 2030 by boosting tourism and diversifying the economy.
Running from October to March, Riyadh Season transforms key districts like Boulevard City, Boulevard World, and Bouldevard Runway into entertainment hubs. With a mix of local and international attractions, it aims to elevate Saudi Arabia’s status as a global entertainment destination.
Festival’s entrance to the BLVD Runway Zone in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia (Photo: Filip Kopec)
A 12-day spectacle captivated audiences as three retired Saudi Arabian Airways aircraft were transported overland from Jeddah to Riyadh—a remarkable logistical feat. Led by H.E. Turki Alsheikh, the journey became a viral sensation, with each city along the route hosting welcoming ceremonies that showcased Saudi Arabia’s infrastructure and coordination capabilities.
The event was meticulously documented, with videos and photos flooding social media and news outlets, drawing widespread attention.
This means that for the first time in 2024, the Riyadh Season has become a pilgrimage site for aviation enthusiasts. Following the operation, the three Boeing 777s became a centerpiece for the unfolding entertainment area called The Boulevard Runway.
One of the Saudia’s retired Boeing 777 airframes serving as a restaurant at The BLVD Runway Zone in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia (Photo: Filip Kopec)
Each of the three aircraft at Boulevard Runway has been transformed into a one-of-a-kind attraction, offering visitors distinctive entertainment experiences. One of the most anticipated is an aviation-themed restaurant with a red carpet entrance, located inside a Saudia retro-livery Boeing 777. The surrounding area offers additional dining options, including a burger restaurant atop an ATC tower, providing panoramic views of the site.
The second airframe, also painted in Saudia’s retro livery, is all about high-energy fun. Designed like a jump city, it features trampolines and a climbing wall, allowing visitors to scale the aircraft’s towering tail.
For thrill-seekers, the final airframe — painted in desert camouflage — hosts an immersive laser tag experience. Players are split into attack and defense teams, with attackers storming the aircraft through stairs or a cargo door, allowing them to explore a real-life scaled battlefield.
Entertainment, including a climbing wall, built into one of the retired Boeing 777 airframes at The BLVD Runway Zone in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia (Photo: Filip Kopec)
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