flydubai: a delightful business class experience!

flydubai is a government owned low-cost airline from Dubai, and began operations only in 2009. Today it flies to 85 different destinations across the middle east, Africa, Asia and Europe, out of Dubai International Airport and Al Maktoum International.

Though primarily an economy airline, business class was added in the year 2012 and currently almost all routes have business class seats. I was invited by flydubai to experience this class on a recent trip to Dubai from Mumbai and back, and here's my review :)

flydubai review business class mumbai india
Good morning from flydubai :)

I boarded the flight so early in the morning that it felt almost like night, and I decided to take a nap. Just as the first data of sun filtered through the window, I was woken up to make take my pick for the breakfast. I suddenly remembered that I was flying business class and getting pampered was part of the experience. Of course being a vegetarian, I opted for greener things but I topped it up with a glass of white wine. Who doesn't like waking up in the day a little happy and high in a new country :)

It's a short fight to Dubai from Mumbai, yet I managed to find some more time to sleep despite topping up my sumptuous breakfast with coffee. I did catch the sunrise and here's a quick video of how landing in Dubai looks like from business class :)



There are many privileges that come with flying business class and one of them is also getting priority at the immigration desk. There was a separate queue just for us and I was done with it in less than five minutes! Everything was quick and highly efficient.

Over the next few days, I had a fantastic time in Dubai. True to my nature, I wasn't happy just going to the regular touristy sites, and decided to explore the city like a local. Here's an image from Dubai often not seen by the tourists in the city :)



Here's another shot from Old Dubai - an old dwelling near the Dubai creek which is where the city made it's humble beginnings a long time ago.

old bur dubai heritage walk house
A lane in Old Dubai

The return journey

Though my onward journey to Dubai was very comfortable, I spent a large part of it sleeping. But on my way back I made sure to enjoy it all. So flydubai flies out of Terminal 2 in Dubai and almost the entire terminal is dedicated to it's flights.


flydubai business class lounge

We checked in fairly quickly and I was rather pleasantly surprised to learn that there was a business class lounge dedicated purely to the passengers of fludubai. It was time for dinner and I wasted no time before hitting the food bar, which was fairly impressive considering that fact that I was flying an economy airline.

flydubai review business class mumbai india
Ground floor of the lounge
flydubai review business class mumbai india
My vegetarian meal :)
flydubai review business class mumbai india
The bar on the upper level

The lounge actually has two floors and if you are looking for a quick drink and some time alone for a quick nap or work, head upstairs.

Business Class also has a separate boarding gate and it's good to know that if you are new there. The waiting area is itself a small lounge with small snacks and coffee. I must confess, this made me feel even more special and privileged, not that I was complaining :)

flydubai review business class mumbai india
Business boarding gate
flydubai review business class mumbai india
The little espresso corner at the boarding agte

What I missed out on last time, I did on the return journey - take a selfie :) I had a craved a bit for Indian food in Dubai and had my first Indian meal after the break at 30,000 feet! It was delicious and filling, and I topped it up with some white wine. Finally I was full and happy, and took a short nap before reaching Mumbai in high spirits!

flydubai review business class mumbai india
Selfie time :)
flydubai review business class mumbai india food
Business class menu
flydubai review business class mumbai india food
My desi lunch :)
flydubai review business class mumbai india food
Who can say no to wine at midnight :)

So how do I rate my business class experience with flydubai? I think I was completely taken by surprise as I never imagined a low cost airline to give such a wonderful business class experince. If you are willing to bump up your budget, I would strongly recommend trying out the business class with flydubai.

Booking tip: flydubai will not show on cleartrip and a few other popular booking sites, so head out to their own website to make the booking - flydubai.

Travel in Dubai: Finally when you are in Dubai, make the most of it! There are surprises everywhere, you only need to look :)

Here's a travel guide to help you plan a perfect trip to Dubai: Things to do in Dubai

And here's another guide on what to wear in Dubai as a woman.

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Disclaimer: I traveled to Dubai on invitation of flydubai to experience their business class. All views expressed are unbiased and based on my own personal experience

Comments

  1. I've never experienced Fly Dubai. Indeed, what they offer seems amazing for a low cost carrier. The food in your photos looks better than anything I've seen on regular flights.

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  2. For a low cost airline, that looks like an amazing experience. Honestly, looks better than most of the normal airlines I see in the US. I never get to see those nice lounges...you got an awesome experience :)

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  3. I've actually never flown anything but economy - which was rough going from Ohio to Sydney - 15 hours. This sounds luxurious, especially for Dubai!

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  4. It is such a pity that they don't fly to Bangalore. I love being pampered in Business class but it is not everyday that you get the chance to. Once I bumped to Business class on both my legs from US to Bangalore on Emirates and it was definitely the best experience ever.

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  5. Wine at midnight -- definitely one of my favourite pleasures of flying!
    I'm yet to experience the 'business' side of it, though truth be told, so long as there is a TV or a talkative neighbour, my flight is set to be enjoyable!

    I've been to Dubai before, but as a child and thus with not enough maturity to explore and understand the place. I loved the photos you shared, and became quite fascinated with Old Dubai!

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  6. That is a very good experience with flydubai! White wine early in the morning... total pampering there. :)

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  7. You described like a boss, such e business class post bro. ;)

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  8. You had a wonderful experience with flydubai it seems. I will definitely try to get onto their service when I visit dubai. And by the way, the photos are beautiful too

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  9. You had me at immigration desk priority! That must have been a dream. It looks like you had a great time with flyDubai. Great to see such good veggie options, too!

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  10. Oh such a lovely business class lounge. Weve never had the luxury of flying business class. Maybe one day *fingers crossed. I will consider flydubai, if we make it out this way - you had such a positive experience with them.

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  11. Flydubai looks amazing for flying from the Mumbai! Also, the meal looks delicious. Glad to know that you had a wonderful time!

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  12. Never heard of Fly Dubai before. However, it is nice that more economy and budget-friendly airlines are popping now. More reasons to travel! Anyway, nice that you have enjoyed your business class experience with them. Would you know if they fly to Asia as well?

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  13. Glad you shared your experience for I would not have expected it of a budget airline. It looks quite comfortable and nice. And thanks for letting us know that we need to book the same directly.

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  14. Thanks for introducing my to Flydubai. I have travelled business class on AirAsiaX another budget airline and was also pleasantly surprised. The lounge also looks really impressive and yes to wine at anytime :)

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  15. Amazing! Super jealous. I've flown so much but never been upgraded to business class or had the money to purchase personally although I always have a quick check and dream. Sounds like a perfect experience!

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  16. Looks like you had a great experience with flydubai. I never flew with them, but gonna check out their webpage and see were they fly to. As you say the airline company doesn't show up on all major booking sites, maybe i'm missing something good ;) Thanks for the tip.

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  17. FlyDubai sounds like a wonderful airline! I've always wanted to be pampered like that on a business class flight. Thanks for sharing your views on this budget airline!

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  18. Great work with the photographs as usual. I have never flown business class, in fact I rarely fly to anywhere. These facilities look like from another planet to me. LOL

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  19. I have newer flown in business class and would be surprised if I ever got the possibility. Luckily I have so far never had any issue to relax in economy and with my lack of knowledge of what would be more comfortable I can still enjoy it. I guess that it would be harder to go from business and then travel economy. :)

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  20. I am drooling over the pictures and SO booking a trip to dubai

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  21. Like you, as much as I would want to nap, I think I would try to stay up to enjoy the perks of business class. Sounds like a great experience.

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  22. Well i just like your post because you shared the information about http://www.cheapbizclass.com/ this & I will always be coming frequently to read more of your post. Thank you very much for your post once more.

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