flydubai is expanding its fleet beyond 100 aircraft and launching the next phase of its cabin retrofit programme in September, as the Dubai-based carrier strengthens capacity and upgrades its onboard offering.
The airline will receive 11 new aircraft in 2026, comprising
seven Boeing 737-9 MAX and four Boeing 737-8 MAX.
The deliveries form part of its long-term fleet
modernisation strategy, replacing older aircraft while providing greater
flexibility to expand its network and increase capacity on high-demand routes.
Ghaith Al Ghaith, Chief Executive Officer at flydubai, said:
“Growing our fleet beyond 100 aircraft is a significant milestone for flydubai
and shows how far we have come. These deliveries are central to our long-term
fleet strategy, providing the capacity and flexibility to support our growing
operations while operating one of the youngest and most fuel-efficient fleets
in the skies.”
Al Ghaith added: “Our investment does not stop with the new
aircraft. We remain focused on enhancing our existing fleet, ensuring our
customers enjoy a seamless and elevated experience when they travel with us.
Our new retrofit programme marks another significant investment in our product
offering and reflects our commitment to continuously enhancing the flydubai
onboard experience.”
The Boeing 737-9 MAX aircraft will feature 16 Business Class
and 156 Economy Class seats, compared with 10 Business Class seats on some
737-8 MAX aircraft.
The additional premium capacity is intended to meet demand
for Business Class on key international routes and support higher-yield
traffic.
From September, flydubai will also retrofit 21 aircraft over
12 months. Aircraft currently equipped with recliner Business Class seats will
receive the carrier’s signature lie-flat seats, providing passengers with
greater comfort.
The programme will also replace existing overhead bins with
Boeing’s larger Space Bins, which can accommodate up to six standard-sized bags
compared with four in standard bins.
The upgrade is expected to increase cabin baggage capacity
and improve boarding efficiency.
The initiative builds on flydubai’s previous
multimillion-dollar retrofit programme, which refreshed its Next-Generation
Boeing 737-800 fleet with lie-flat Business Class seats, new Economy Class
seating and inflight entertainment.
Together, the fleet expansion and cabin upgrades are
designed to improve product consistency as the airline grows.
flydubai said its wider investment in technology, training and engineering infrastructure will support its future capabilities and strengthen Dubai’s position as a global aviation, trade and tourism hub. -TradeArabia News Service
