Where Design Elevates Travel

Designed in collaboration with the renowned Yabu Pushelberg studio for Riyadh Air, the Hafawa lounge at King Khalid International Airport (RUH) creates a welcoming and restorative environment, where both design and technology come together to support the emotional well-being of every guest.

Spanning nearly 2,000 square meters, the Hafawa Lounge accommodates 370 Business Elite and Business Class guests. Located between Terminals 1 and 2, its innovative design features interconnected, residential-inspired rooms, offering guests a seamless blend of relaxation and social spaces.

The lounge’s design is deeply rooted in the concept of Hafawa; a Saudi cultural value centred around warmth, generosity, and hospitality. This emotional underpinning is reflected in every detail of the lounge, creating an inviting and sophisticated atmosphere. “Our goal was to create a space that supports the emotional side of travel,” said Glenn Pushelberg, co-founder of Yabu Pushelberg. This vision is realised through a careful balance of tactile materials such as limestone, oak, and textured plaster.

The journey through the lounge mirrors the rhythms of the Saudi desert. A carefully orchestrated circadian lighting system adjusts throughout the day, changing from warm hues at dawn, to cooler tones during midday, and returning to warmth at dusk. These subtle changes enhance the guests’ experience, allowing them to adjust to the natural light of the desert while moving through the space. Accents of peach, lavender, and indigo subtly echo the airline’s brand palette, offering a sense of orientation while also contributing to the soothing environment.

The Hafawa Lounge offers more than just a waiting area. Guests can relax at the Pantry for informal dining or socialise at the Balcony Café. For solitude, The Study and The Parlor provide quiet, intimate spaces, while the Cabinet and Cellar cater to social gatherings. Private sleeping pods and spa-like bathrooms ensure moments of rest and rejuvenation.

“Rather than designing a single environment, we envisioned the lounge as a home made up of distinct rooms,” explained George Yabu, co-founder of Yabu Pushelberg. This philosophy extends to every part of the lounge, where spaces blend together to create a natural flow, allowing guests to tailor their experience based on their mood or needs.

The lounge design integrates advanced technology, from intuitive wayfinding to discreet service touchpoints, ensuring ease and comfort. Despite these innovations, human connection remains central, with guests welcomed by traditional Saudi coffee and premium dates. By blending design, technology, and emotional well-being, it sets a new standard for airport lounges; thereby elevating the passenger experience.