flydubai has confirmed plans to launch a brand-new Premium Economy product onboard its new Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner fleet. CEO Ghaith al Ghaith told Simple Flying at the 
Dubai Airshow 2025 that the carrier will be configuring its Boeing widebodies with three classes, including a new PE cabin.
The Dubai-based carrier expects its first 787 deliveries from the end of 2027, estimating its 30-strong fleet will all arrive by the end of 2033. flydubai placed an $11 billion order for 30 Boeing 787 Dreamliner at the Dubai Airshow 2023, with the type set to become its first-ever widebody aircraft.
flydubai To Introduce New Premium Economy Cabin On 787s
At a roundtable event on Day Three of the Dubai Airshow 2025, flydubai’s CEO told Simple Flying that the airline’s new 787 Dreamliners will offer three cabin classes, including an all-new premium economy class. At 2023’s Dubai Airshow, the carrier hinted it was exploring a PE product, but had not confirmed the new cabin class until today.
Fresh off the back of its first-ever order with Airbus — a massive $24 billion commitment for 150 Airbus A321neos — announced on Day Two, flydubai is making waves again with its first foray into premium economy. The new PE cabin could debut as early as 2027 (depending on delivery timeliness), with flydubai eyeing up new long-haul connections to Africa, Australia and Western Europe for its new 787 fleet.
The carrier has not confirmed the exact seating configuration of its new Dreamliners. Ghaith al Ghaith told Simple Flying,
“We’ve finalized the plan, and we definitely will have three classes, but the type and the number we’ll have for business, premium economy and economy, but we don’t [confirm yet].”
Deliveries Still Expected By 2027
flydubai’s Boeing 787s are behind schedule, with deliveries initially expected to begin next year. However, delivery schedule slips at Boeing have pushed this date back, with the first aircraft now slated to arrive by the end of 2027. CEO Al Ghaith said that the airline expects all 30 Dreamliners to be delivered over a six-year period, giving the carrier its full fleet by the end of 2033.
The delays have somewhat hampered flydubai’s ambitious long-haul growth plans, with the carrier yet to announce any firm destinations for its 787 fleet. Boasting a range of up to 7,565 nautical miles (14,010 km), the 787-9 will essentially double flydubai’s reach, with its current MAX fleet capable of flying up to 3,550 nautical miles (6,570 km). Al Ghaith ruled out North America as “too far” for its Dreamliners, but promised that the airline will “definitely go to new places all over the world,” as well as deploy its 787s on existing routes with suitable demand.
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flydubai’s Dubai Airshow 2025 Orders |
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|---|---|
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150 × Airbus A321neo (including 100 options) |
Deliveries expected from 2031. |
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60 × GEnx-1B engines |
Powering upcoming fleet of 30 Boeing 787-9s. |
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75 × Boeing 737 MAX (MoU, with options for 75 more) |
Mix of MAX-8, MAX-9, or MAX-10 variants. |
The carrier has reportedly held talks with Boeing over potential compensation for the delayed deliveries, but retains a strong relationship with the US planemaker. flydubai has been an all-Boeing airline for its entire 17-year history, although its new Airbus A321neos will split the fleet when they begin arriving from 2031. With a fresh $13 billion MoU for another 75 Boeing 737 MAX jets signed on Day Three of the Dubai Airshow 2025, flydubai will be operating a large split fleet of Airbus and Boeing narrowbodies from next decade.
flydubai & Emirates: How 2 Very Different UAE-Based Airlines Complement Each Other
The Investment Corporation of Dubai owns both carriers.
Widebody Ambitions
The Boeing 787 is set to transform flydubai’s operational capabilities, opening up long-haul routes for the first time. The airline also announced a deal with GE Aerospace for 60 GEnx-1B engines to power its new 787 fleet.
flydubai currently operates a fleet of almost 100 Boeing 737 aircraft, consisting of the 737-800, MAX 8 and MAX 9 models. It will also be flying the Airbus A321neo from 2031 onwards, with its 150-strong order also reportedly including long-range variants, the A321LR and/or the A321XLR.
While the majority of flydubai’s operations remain based out of 
Dubai International Airport (DXB), the carrier is due to ramp up capacity at Dubai’s secondary airport, Al Maktoum (DWC), which is planned to become the world’s busiest airport.
