On October 23, 2026, Delta Air Lines makes history when it begins its initial direct flight from Atlanta to Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, the first nonstop service between the U.S. and Saudi Arabia's capital by a U.S. carrier. To celebrate the occasion, Delta is offering a SkyMiles, tax and fee sale that makes the Kingdom as much as 30,000 miles and $77 in taxes and fees away.

To give you some perspective on that price, let's say you're flying from the UK to Saudi Arabia and back on one of the world's longest nonstop routes this is a great deal for under $100 in taxes. And for those who have an eligible Delta Amex card, the base price slips even lower.

The Sale is Actually a Sale

The promotion includes two cabin fare options for round-trip economy tickets on Delta's new Atlanta–Riyadh route. Fares begin at 30,000 SkyMiles plus $77 in taxes round-trip for Main Basic, and 47,500 SkyMiles plus $77 in taxes for the full-fare Main cabin. The same delightful $77 tax both routes come with and that's just the tax price, not the fees is a nice surprise for an international LCC that's not always the most budget friendly for award travelers, especially on LCCs.

Unlike many routes, whose promotions end in a short window of weeks, Award travel on this route is available for a longer period of time, from the launch date of the route (23rd October 2026) through to April 15th 2027. Airbus A350-900s, Delta's flagship wide-body aircraft, will be used for the long-haul segment, and are a good platform for international service.

Delta is also providing connectivity from eight other U.S. cities to Atlanta, not just those based in Atlanta. Departures from Chicago (Midway and O'Hare), Dallas Fort Worth, Detroit, Houston, Miami, New York JFK, Orlando, and Washington D.C. (Reagan National and Dulles).

The 15% Discount That Changes the Math

TakeOff 15 is a Delta SkyMiles benefit that offers 15% off award flights on Delta and Delta Connection flights on most Delta SkyMiles American Express credit cards. The discount does not need to be activated or entered into the system it is used automatically when you check out.

Here's what that would look like for this particular sale:

• Main Basic: Losing 30,000 SkyMiles to 25,400 return.
• Main cabin: Reduces from 47,500 SkyMiles to around 40,375 SkyMiles round-trip.
• Taxes and fees: $77 round trip (no discount).

While it might seem high at $77 per round trip to Saudi Arabia on an A350-900, the value per mile is really quite good and it's not just elite members of Delta who can get it, it's all Delta cardholders.

The Following Information is Vital Before Booking a Tour

There are some practical nuances to comprehend before proceeding with a booking. The starting price of 30,000 miles is not a fixed price but is dependent on the travel day, and some dates within the valid window will have a higher award price than other dates. If you're planning a trip, searching on multiple dates will help you find the cheapest award dates.

Here's a quick summary of the contents and coverage of each fare class:

• Advance check-in is not a requirement with Main Basic, no SkyMiles earned, no Medallion Qualifying credit, no seat assignment until check-in, no seat upgrade eligibility, and checked bags will incur additional charges.
• Main cabin: Standard SkyMiles earning, Medallion credit, advance seat selection, upgrade eligibility, free seat for eligible Delta cardholders (first checked bag).
• Premium cabins: Not available for this sale (at time of writing, Delta One was selling at more than 500,000 SkyMiles each way)

If the trip is a part of a bigger loyalty program, then the extra mileage and status points you get for Main Basic to Main cabin may be worth considering. The difference in mileage between the two tiers is approximately 17,500 miles at normal price, which may or may not be a worthwhile investment, depending on your travel needs.

This sale won't be for travelers who are looking to get a lie flat experience to Saudi Arabia. The premium cabin is basically closed to most SkyMiles members through the price of Delta One awards on the route.

Why This Route Matters

The award sale itself is just one of the significant developments in the Atlanta–Riyadh service. As part of Saudi Arabia's economic transformation under Vision 2030, the nation has been putting significant effort into developing its tourism and infrastructure and Riyadh is becoming a more popular destination for both business and leisure tourists. Without a direct U.S. airline service to the nation's capital, that has been a big hole that Delta is plugging for the first time.

The A350-900 assignment for the route does not seem to be a second class, less capable route to be run on older equipment, but rather a more prestigious assignment, for a premium international route. The direct link from the Atlanta has made travel to and from Saudi Arabia much simpler for those waiting for an easy way to reach the kingdom, especially for those who have been put off by the routing involved through European or Middle Eastern hubs.

How to Make the Most of the Booking Window

The October 23 to April 15 travel window includes the fall season as well as winter and early spring both of which are important travel holidays, and have long weekends, but fall outside of the peak summer travel season. Award availability will be more plentiful for travelers with some flexibility in travel dates, and may offer lower SkyMiles prices than travelers who need to book on a specific date.

While a new route is being launched, the award space can be substantial as airlines fill up the early availability, but as the route develops and demand becomes more predictable, it can get tighter. Earlier in the booking period, the availability and pricing is better than booking later in the booking period, especially if you are looking to book for the lowest price band of 30,000 (or 25,400 with the card discount) versus higher priced dates.

The Bottom Line

Delta's first direct route from the U.S. to Saudi Arabia's capital, Riyadh, will debut Oct. 23, 2026, and there's an award sale to celebrate its arrival. Economy awards on a round trip begin at 30,000 SkyMiles plus $77 in taxes for Main Basic, for eligible Delta Amex cardholders, via the TakeOff 15 discount, it drops to 25,400 SkyMiles. Awards expire April 15, 2027, and flights connecting to/from eight other U.S. cities. 

This sale does not include premium cabins, and Main Basic doesn't offer any seat or miles earning flexibility it's all about the economy experience, so you'll need to check the Main cabin, which starts at 47,500 SkyMiles (or ~40,375 with the card discount). Booking dates early is the best idea new routes fill up fast.