Yesterday, the first day of the 2017 Dubai Air Show kicked off in spectacular fashion with Emirates stealing much of the limelight with its ‘game changer‘ of a new First Class Suite. But on the sidelines of the massive event, flydubai, Dubai’s very own low-cost carrier, quietly unveiled its brand new cabin interiors for its Boeing 737MAX aircraft.
But make no mistake – when it comes to low-cost air travel, what flydubai has developed is probably just as game-changing as what Emirates is offering for just a select few ultra-rich passengers.
flydubai has 76 of the Boeing 737MAX aircraft on order – with greater range and better fuel efficiency, flydubai will initially use the aircraft on services to its most distant destinations like Bangkok, Prague, Yekaterinburg and Zanzibar. (Scroll down for lots of photos).
The first 737MAX was delivered to the airline in August, with flydubai operating all 76 aircraft by 2023. Airline execs are expecting to take delivery of six more 737’s by the end of 2017.
At the event, Ghaith Al Ghaith, flydubai’s chief executive explained: “We are gearing up and putting the final touches to these new aircraft which will improve our overall fleet performance, bring more flexibility and efficiency to our operations and further support our commitment to opening up new destinations.”
Al Ghaith said the new aircraft would deliver “an exceptional onboard experience for our passengers,” and we couldn’t agree more.
Earlier this year, flydubai announced a collaboration with JPA Design, a London-based aircraft interiors specialist who helped Singapore Airlines win the Best Business Class Seat in the 2017 Skytrax Awards. JPA has completely “reimagined” the interior of flydubai’s 737MAX aircraft, describing the company as a “warm, friendly, smart and ambitious airline.”
One of the biggest changes can be seen in the “bespoke” Business Class seats which are based on the award-winning Thompson Vantage seat. Offering a 79″ fully flat bed, up to 22″ inches of seat width and a large 16″ in-flight entertainment screen, this is low-cost air travel like you’ve never seen it before.
Until now, flydubai offered a simple recliner style Business Class seat so this really is a massive upgrade. There will be 10 seats in a 2-2 configuration at the front and rear of the cabin and a 1-1 ‘throne’ style configuration in the middle row.
The Economy cabin hasn’t been forgotten either. flydubai has chosen Recaro’s CL3710 seat which is described as achieving “a new benchmark for long-haul economy class seat design.” Along with a brand new in-flight entertainment system, the seat also offers numerous other benefits including a six-way adjustable headrest.
Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, the ruler of Dubai has described the delivery of flydubai’s first Boeing 737MAX as “another milestone in Dubai’s aviation success story.”
The New Business Class Cabin
flydubai’s Brand New Economy Seats and Cabin
Earlier this year, flydubai and Emirates announced a major tie-up between the two airlines. Although not a merger, the carriers said they would work much more closely together and have launched a slew of codeshare arrangements.
flydubai’s operations were originally destined for a move to Dubai World Central airport to the south of the city centre – that move has now been suspended as the partnership with Emirates strengthens at Dubai International Airport (DXB).
