flydubai has outlined the next phase of its growth strategy, confirming plans to expand its fleet beyond 100 aircraft and launch a new cabin retrofit programme from September.
The airline will take delivery of 11 additional aircraft in 2026 — seven Boeing 737‑9 MAX and four Boeing 737‑8 MAX — marking a further step in its long‑term expansion. The deliveries form part of flydubai’s fleet‑modernisation plan, replacing older aircraft and providing greater flexibility to grow its network, increase capacity on high‑demand routes and support future development.
The introduction of newer‑generation aircraft will also help maintain a younger, more fuel‑efficient fleet while offering a more consistent onboard experience.
Ghaith Al Ghaith, chief executive officer at flydubai, said: “Growing our fleet beyond 100 aircraft is a significant milestone for flydubai and shows how far we have come. These deliveries are central to our long‑term fleet strategy, providing the capacity and flexibility to support our growing operations while operating one of the youngest and most fuel‑efficient fleets in the skies.”
flydubai’s Boeing 737‑9 MAX aircraft feature 16 Business Class and 156 Economy Class seats, compared with 10 Business Class seats on some 737‑8 MAX aircraft. The additional premium capacity supports demand for Business Class on key international routes and enables more efficient deployment of capacity across existing frequencies.
Alongside fleet expansion, flydubai will begin the next phase of its cabin retrofit programme in September. Over the next 12 months, 21 aircraft currently fitted with recliner Business Class seats will be upgraded with the airline’s lie‑flat Business Class product.
The retrofit will also introduce Boeing Space Bins, increasing cabin baggage capacity. The larger bins can accommodate up to six standard bags, compared with four in standard overhead bins, supporting smoother boarding and improved passenger experience.
The new programme builds on flydubai’s previous multi‑million‑dollar retrofit investment, which refreshed cabins across its Next‑Generation Boeing 737‑800 fleet, including lie‑flat Business Class seats, new Economy seats and inflight entertainment.
