Emirates, flydubai embarks on multi-billion make-over plans, as they mark five-year partnership

Emirates will retrofit 120 aircraft with premium economy seats starting this month as part of a $2 billion investment, which also includes elevated dining options and more sustainable choices.

Flydubai, on the other hand, new investment plans are aimed at offering more flying options and experience, as the carriers’ joint route network expanded to enabling more than 11 million customers to connect on over 250,000 flights and benefit from seamless travel, debuted a new business class recliner seat offering customers more comfort on its short and medium-haul flights.

Flydubai, which has grown its fleet to 70 Boeing 737 aircraft, also announced plans to retrofit a number of its existing aircraft, as well as equip its future aircraft, with its new business class seats.

Since the partnership launched in 2017. The partnership goes beyond the standard code-sharing model by including integrated network collaboration, schedule optimisation and reciprocal loyalty benefits under the joint loyalty programme – Emirates Skywards.

The two carriers also collaborate on seamless connectivity at Dubai International Airport (DXB) between Terminals 2 and 3 and baggage transfers on a single itinerary.

The joint network offers their customers access to 215 destinations across 98 countries, with over 250 codeshare flights to choose from on an average day.

Emirates customers can book flights to over 80 unique flydubai destinations, while flydubai customers can choose from over 99 Emirates destinations.

Popular customer favourites, whether travelling for business or leisure, include Kathmandu, Kuwait, the Maldives, Tel Aviv and Zanzibar.

Flydubai launched its biggest ever route expansion this year, launching flights to Al Ula, Namangan, Osh, Pisa and Samarkand.

It also announced services to Gan in the Maldives, Cagliari and Milan-Bergamo in Italy, Corfu in Greece and Krabi and Pattaya in Thailand from 2023.