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Regarding such competition , Flydubai ’ s network of leisure destinations is almost unmatched in the region . Carriers such as Emirates , Etihad ( EY ), or Qatar ( QR ) are among the very few in the world to serve all five continents , with a strong focus on business travel . Other players have recently joined the Middle- East aviation industry , such as Saudia ( SV ), Kuwait Airways ( KU ), and Oman Air ( WY ), all sporting different fleets and business models . A new competitor was announced in 2023 : Riyadh Air ( RX ) promises to complement the Saudi Arabian offer with a longhaul and regional aircraft fleet . All these carriers fly , or promise to fly , twin-aisle airliners to major European , American , and Asian cities .
In its relatively short history , Flydubai has cut itself a spot in this dense market . The investments in new cabins and improved passenger experience has enabled the airline to catch
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up with some of the region ’ s giants while maintaining a strong brand identity and solid in-flight product . As more employees join the Flydubai team , the carrier will face some great challenges in the next few years .
A big question surrounding the Flydubai business model remains . While most media currently define the airline as low-cost , this definition will likely be revised in the future . Most legacy carriers have started to separate services from their standard flight tickets , thinning the line between what used to be the legacy and lowcost images . Nowadays , almost every carrier in the world offers an ultra-basic fee , which grants only an onboard backpack and no carry-on luggage . In-flight offerings vary wildly according to the region , too .
On board Flydubai , some services — such as meals , bedding , or IFE choices — can be
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‘ unlocked ’ for a fee depending on the booking class . This is well advertised before booking and , depending on the flight ’ s length , passengers may or may not care about these in-flight upgrades . At the other end of the spectrum , the airline provides a premium service that no other low-cost airline in the world can possibly offer .
Most low-cost airlines generate travel demand by opening new routes to remote airports , where handling fees are lower or even where regional subsidies are present . Ryanair ( FR ) based its entire business model on this approach , flying to regions that would otherwise have little to no tourism .
In our view , with just a few exceptions worldwide , the differentiation between lowcost and legacy carriers will be erased in a few years ’ time . And Flydubai is an excellent example of this revolution .
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6 Business Class cabin on A6-FKE configured in a 2-2 layout , with 12 recliner seats in a staggered disposition . // PHOTO : LORENZO GIACOBBO |
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