FlyDubai has announced some positive changes to its passenger experience, which will certainly be welcomed by travelers.
In this post:
FlyDubai adds free meals & entertainment in economy
FlyDubai operates alongside Emirates, being based at Dubai International Airport (DXB). Technically, the airlines are separate and only have a partnership, though both companies are owned by the government. FlyDubai currently operates an all-Boeing 737 fleet, though the airline will soon also take delivery of Boeing 787s.
The Dubai-based carrier has been making some nice improvements to its passenger experience over the years, and here’s the latest example of that. As of November 2025, FlyDubai will be elevating the experience in economy, and will start including complimentary meals and inflight entertainment with all economy fares.
Historically, the airline has only offered complimentary meals on select economy fares, and also charged for use of inflight entertainment for select passengers.
Here’s how FlyDubai CEO Ghaith Al Ghaith describes this:
“Redefining the Economy Class offering across all flights represents a significant evolution in our business model, offering customers a more elevated and convenient travel journey. Our focus remains on investing in enhancing our customer experience and delivering added value across every touchpoint through services, technologies and product development. By listening to customer feedback and responding to changing market dynamics, flydubai continues to strengthen its position as a key player in the UAE’s aviation sector and a vital contributor to Dubai’s vision of becoming a global hub for trade and tourism.”
Meanwhile here’s how FlyDubai Chief Commercial Officer Hamad Obaidalla describes this:
“Over the years, our agile business model has enabled us to adapt quickly to challenges and unlock new opportunities as we continue to evolve and grow. This announcement has come at the right time as we prepare to expand our network, continue to grow our fleet and welcome more passengers on board year after year. By including meals and inflight entertainment in every ticket, we’re modifying the Economy Class fare structure and ensuring passengers get more value, while remaining competitive.”
This is a sensible and long overdue change
I’m happy to see FlyDubai improving its passenger experience, especially as I don’t anticipate that this will lead to higher fares.
The thing to understand about FlyDubai is that it’s not an ultra low cost carrier, or anything, even though some people assume that it is. Yes, the airline definitely has some labor savings compared to Emirates, but aside from that, the airline is largely intended to be more of a full service (or at least value) airline. FlyDubai’s fares are also anything but cheap.
So it seems overdue that the airline offer a higher general service standard onboard, and I’m very happy to see this change. I continue to believe that Emirates and FlyDubai should just merge. It makes no sense to me that they’re branded separately, as it causes huge confusion (FlyDubai has little name recognition outside the region), not to mention the airlines have very complementary route networks.
There are lots of passengers who have itineraries that include travel on both airlines, so at a minimum, you’d think the airline would take on “Emirates Express” branding, or something. I continue to think that will eventually happen, it’s just a function of when. After all, there are all kinds of markets that can accommodate a 737 but not a 777, and there’s value in Emirates being able to serve those markets directly. It’s one of Emirates’ disadvantages compared to Etihad and Qatar.
Anyway, I digress… I’ll get off my Emirates and FlyDubai merger soapbox.
Bottom line
As of November 2025, Emirates is nicely improving its economy passenger experience, offering free meals and inflight entertainment on all fares. FlyDubai has never been known for its low fares, so it didn’t make sense to me that this wasn’t included on all fares, especially given the extent to which the carrier’s network is integrated with that of Emirates. This development moves the FlyDubai passenger experience a little closer to that of Emirates.
What do you make of FlyDubai’s economy service changes?
The real thing of beauty at FlyDubai's is their 737 MAX 8 Business Class with actual lie-flat and the 'throne' seats (great review back in 2022, Ben!) Why US-carriers operating the Max on 5+ hour flights won't do this, I'll never understand (if it costs more to operate, then charge more, people will pay more for this over a mere recliner!). Premium passengers should be demanding that product at UA, AA, and DL (I know,...
The real thing of beauty at FlyDubai's is their 737 MAX 8 Business Class with actual lie-flat and the 'throne' seats (great review back in 2022, Ben!) Why US-carriers operating the Max on 5+ hour flights won't do this, I'll never understand (if it costs more to operate, then charge more, people will pay more for this over a mere recliner!). Premium passengers should be demanding that product at UA, AA, and DL (I know, Tim, they're supposed to get the max in 2026, but keep getting delayed).
in fairness, FlyDudai's business is generally also priced a lot steeper than U.S. recliner business.
That is why I explicitly included above... "if it costs more to operate, then charge more, people will pay more for this over a mere recliner!"
Let's pretend: SFO-FLL, ~5 hours, redeye, on-average, one-way, Economy $200, 'First' but it's a recliner $600 (3x), verses, lie-flat $1,200 (double)... are you telling me that someone who can afford 'nice things' wouldn't pay an extra $400 for lie-flat on that redeye?
I meant $600, not $400... (me no 'math' good.)
Good point, but I'd argue they wouldn't, load factors definitely wouldn't stay the same. The point of US recliners is kinda that anyone can afford them, as proven by high load factors. It's generally a few hundred bucks extra max. I think lots of 'average' people would occasionally pay $100-$300 extra for added comfort, but $1000 extra is no longer for everyone.