FlyDubai sets sights on premium travellers with new Business Suite
Wireless charging, a 4K screen and direct aisle access for every passenger are just the start in the factory-fresh seat.
By Chris Ashton, May 2 2023
Sharply-priced Middle Eastern carrier FlyDubai is continuing its push for the hearts and wallets of premium travellers, unveiling the latest evolution of its single-aisle business class at the Arabian Travel Market this week.
Debuting on select factory-fresh Boeing 737 MAX from November, the ‘Business Suite’ is a collaboration between Safran Seats – the team behind Qantas’ sleek A350 business class – and JPA Design, who led Singapore Airlines’ A380 business class redesign.
The reverse herringbone pew is based on Safran Seats’ VUE platform and is expected to takeoff on up to six aircraft by the first quarter of 2024, most likely on its more premium long-range routes.
FlyDubai is the launch customer for the VUE seat.
Ten passengers will be cocooned in comfort behind high walls and sliding privacy doors, while the 17.3-inch 4K display, wireless charging and multiple power outlets are sure to keep them entertained. Those with Bluetooth headphones can listen on their own device.
The simple yet stylish suite boasts a peach-orange seat, which sports a width of 20.4-inches in seated mode, increasing out to 23.8-inches in lie-flat mode, and has a 75-inch bed. That’s long enough for those at 6’1” to stretch out in comfort.
Subtle ambient lighting is built into the shell and beneath the ottoman.
Emirates partner airline FlyDubai is adding around 140 Boeing 737 MAX aircraft to its all 737 fleet, currently jetting across Europe, Asia and the Middle East to the likes of Istsanbul, Tel Aviv and Tbilisi.
Ghaith Al Ghaith, Chief Executive Officer at FlyDubai, says the airline has come a long way since the introduction of its first business class in 2013, and it’s not slowing down.
“Our business and product offerings have evolved from the initial no-frills model over the past 14 years to cater to the ever-growing needs of our customers and the markets we operate to.”
The lie-flat bed will be appreciated on those longer flights.
“Today, we are proud to unveil a new premium product which rivals the Business Class experience offered by many airlines on wide-body aircraft. We will continue to invest in innovation to enhance the customer experience across our growing fleet,” adds Al Ghaith.
The new VUE business class is earmarked for longer, premium routes and will complement the existing 2-2 Boeing 737 MAX business class seat, which is based on the Thompson Aero Styling Vantage notably fdeatured in SWISS’ Boeing 777 business class.
FlyDubai will operate the two business class seats simultaneously.
Available in a 2-2 configuration, the seat is available in two versions – a recliner or lie-flat – and includes a 15.6-inch 1080p screen.
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
05 Oct 2016
Total posts 113
Not sure about "sharply priced"! Have often quoted on regular trips out of Sofia to DXB but usually very pricey business class seats...
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
26 Nov 2012
Total posts 124
Exactly what I thought!
24 Aug 2011
Total posts 1208
Even though nominally separate, FlyDubai is really Emirates' narrowbody arm. Their route networks are complimentary with little overlap.
The new seats sure look nice but they are using a lot of real estate on a MAX. It is hard to exactly see from the picture but it looks like these 10 seats use the same amount of space as 18 seats (12J and 6 Y) on a Qantas 737 so, unless you can get a decent bump in the price you charge for a J seat, this doesn't seem to make a lot of sense business wise.
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