Flydubai moves into high-end market with business class flights

Dubai: Flydubai launched its first business class flight in an apparent step to join a global trend in low-cost carriers hybridising their fleet and services.

Simon Elsegood, Senior Analyst (Middle East & Africa) at Capa – Centre for Aviation, said in an email that the premium product helps the airline to attract higher-yielding traffic.

“This allows them to capture a fair share of the high-end tourism and business markets that otherwise might go to more established carriers,” he said.

Other steps of hybridisation by low-cost operators include taking on multiple types of aircraft, however, there is no indication flydubai will be expanding beyond Boeing 737-800.

The airline previously announced that it will retrofit nine aircraft from its fleet of 31 and will have a further three new aircraft fitted with business class before year’s end.

Addison Schonland, Founder and Partner at aviation consultancy AirInsight, said that as low-cost carriers achieve critical mass they try to find new ways to add more revenue.

“They try to become hybrid carriers,” he said.

Globally, US budget carrier jetBlue recently announced that it will offer business class on selected trans-continental routes next year.

The airline flies to 24 US states and 12 countries.