• flydubai

flydubai

Airlines Reviews

flydubai

flydubai Reviews & Ratings: Is It the Right Airline for You?

Operating seamlessly out of Dubai International Airport alongside its larger partner, Emirates, flydubai has shed its former “budget carrier” reputation. In 2026, flydubai operates more like a premium hybrid airline, bringing heavy-hitting luxury to routes that are too small or short to justify a massive Emirates A380.

If you are flying to regional hubs across the Middle East, Eastern Europe, Africa, or Central Asia, you will likely encounter flydubai. With an impressive fleet of new Boeing 737 aircraft featuring fully lie-flat beds, it is a narrow-body airline punching well above its weight class.

flydubai at a Glance

  • Alliance: Independent (Extensive strategic partnership with Emirates)
  • Frequent Flyer Program: Emirates Skywards
  • Main Hub: Dubai International Airport (DXB)
  • Best For: Connecting seamlessly with Emirates flights, and traveling to secondary or regional destinations out of Dubai.
flydubai

In-Flight Experience: What to Expect Onboard

flydubai exclusively flies a narrow-body fleet of Boeing 737s, meaning every flight is a single-aisle aircraft.

Economy Class

Standard Economy features relatively slimline seats and built-in personal HD touchscreens. Whether food is included depends on your fare type. “Value” and “Flex” tickets include a hot meal on longer flights, while “Lite” tickets operate on a buy-on-board basis. All passengers must pay for alcoholic beverages in Economy.

Business Class (The Business Suite)

The massive highlight of flydubai in 2026 is their Business Class. Having completed heavy retrofits, the vast majority of their Boeing 737 MAX 8/9 fleet now features fully lie-flat beds.

  • The Business Suite: On their newest aircraft, flydubai has introduced “The Business Suite”—an exceptional product offering high walls, direct aisle access for all, and full sliding privacy doors, rivaling the wide-body luxury of larger legacy carriers.

flydubai Baggage Allowance & Policies

Because flydubai operates multiple fare tiers, your baggage allowance is tied entirely to the specific ticket type you purchased

Fare Class Carry-On Allowance  Checked Baggage Inclusion
Economy Lite 1 piece (Up to 7kg) + 1 small laptop bag None (Hand baggage only)
Economy Value 1 piece (Up to 7kg) + 1 small laptop bag 1 piece (Up to 20kg)
Economy Flex 1 piece (Up to 7kg) + 1 small laptop bag Up to 30kg
Business Class 2 pieces (Up to 14kg combined) Up to 40kg

Connection Tip: If you booked a single ticket connecting from an Emirates flight onto a flydubai flight (or vice-versa), your more generous Emirates baggage allowance will typically apply to the entire journey. Always double-check your e-ticket.

Customer Service & Reliability

  • The Highs: Sharing the Skywards frequent flyer program and Terminal 3 in Dubai with Emirates makes transiting incredibly smooth. Business Class passengers get access to dedicated flydubai premium lounges or Emirates lounges, depending on the departure gate.
  • The Lows: If you are booked on a standard Economy ticket, navigating Dubai International Airport’s massive terminals can be tiring, and the 7kg cabin baggage limit is strictly enforced by ground staff.

Pros & Cons of Flying with flydubai

Pros:

  • The new Business Suites with sliding doors on the 737 MAX are exceptional.
  • Seamless booking and baggage transfers when connecting to/from Emirates.
  • Seatback entertainment screens available at every seat.
  • Uses the highly rewarding Emirates Skywards loyalty program.

Cons:

  • “Lite” fares include no checked baggage and no complimentary food.
  • Single-aisle planes can feel cramped on longer flights (5+ hours).
  • Paid alcohol in Economy.

Have You Flown with flydubai?

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About flydubai

Is flydubai the same as Emirates?

No, they are separate airlines, but they are both government-owned and operate an incredibly tight partnership. They codeshare on hundreds of flights, share the same frequent flyer program (Skywards), and align their schedules at Dubai Airport to make connecting between the two airlines seamless.

Does flydubai Business Class have flat beds?

Yes. As of 2026, flydubai has successfully retrofitted and updated its fleet so that the vast majority of its long-haul Boeing 737 MAX aircraft feature fully lie-flat beds. Newer models even feature sliding privacy doors.

Is food free on flydubai?

If you are in Business Class or booked on an Economy “Value” or “Flex” fare, hot meals are included. If you booked the cheapest Economy “Lite” fare, food is not included, but you can purchase snacks and meals from the onboard menu.

Can I pick my seat for free on Qantas?

Seat selection is free for domestic flights, as well as for all Business and First Class passengers. For international Economy passengers, standard seat selection requires a fee unless you hold elite frequent flyer status (Silver, Gold, or Platinum) or wait until online check-in opens 24 hours before the flight.

Disclaimer: All information, policies, and details presented on this page are gathered from publicly available resources and are subject to change. Please verify directly with the airline before booking.