flydubai

flydubai was established in July 2008 by the Government of Dubai to serve underserved short-to-medium-haul routes, complementing the long-haul network of Emirates. The airline commenced commercial operations on June 1, 2009, with an inaugural flight from Dubai to Beirut. It is wholly owned by the Government of Dubai through the Investment Corporation of Dubai (ICD) and is not publicly traded.

Headquartered at Dubai International Airport (DXB), flydubai operates primarily from Terminal 2, with additional flights from Terminal 3 and from Al Maktoum International Airport (DWC). As of 2025, the airline serves 131 destinations across 58 countries, covering the Middle East, Africa, Central Asia, the Indian Subcontinent, Europe, and the Caucasus. Its fleet consists of over 90 Boeing 737 aircraft, including the 737 MAX 8, 9, and the newer 737-8-200 variant, with orders for the 737 MAX 10.

flydubai operates a hybrid model: it is a low-cost carrier that also offers a Business Class product on select routes, featuring lie-flat seats on its newer Boeing 737 MAX aircraft. Services include a buy-on-board meal program, seat selection, and extra legroom seats. The airline has an extensive codeshare and interline partnership with Emirates, allowing passengers to book single-itinerary tickets that connect flydubai’s regional network with Emirates’ global long-haul network. In early 2025, the codeshare agreement was extended to cover over 100 destinations.[edit]