flydubai today showed off its new interiors for its’ 737 Max 8 Aircraft designed by JPA Design. The first aircraft, bearing the UAE registration mark A6-MAX, is the first of 76 aircraft on order from Boeing; all of which will be delivered by 2023. No less than six of these aircraft will join the flydubai fleet by the end of the last quarter of 2017.
JPA Design’s full scope of work took in all cabin elements, including seat design and customisation for Economy and Business class, lavatories, full CMF (colour materials and finishes), soft furnishings – including curtains and carpets, service wear – bulkheads, lighting and Inflight Entertainment GUI (Interface) menu content.
Interestingly, flydubai has moved its current business class offering from deep recliner chairs to fully-flat beds similar to those found on JetBlue, which gives the carrier the ability to lift its product offering, helping it align with its codeshare big brother carrier Emirates.
flydubai’s Chairman, His Highness Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum commenting on the occasion said: “At the 2013 Dubai Airshow we made history by placing the largest order for this aircraft type in the Middle East. This was made before this aircraft took its first commercial flight. To see that commitment being fulfilled today is another milestone in Dubai’s aviation success story. The efficiency and enhanced performance this aircraft promises is going to play an important role in the new chapter of flydubai’s growth strategy.”
The flat-beds will get good use as well. flydubai’s new Boeing 737 MAX 8s will initially be deployed on the furthest points on the carrier’s network. Destinations including Bangkok, Prague, Yekaterinburg and Zanzibar will be among the first to be served by the MAX 8. The additional aircraft being delivered over the next few years will be rolled out across the fleet and will become available on most of the routes on the network.
flydubai’s Chief Executive Officer, Ghaith Al Ghaith, commenting on the arrival of the MAX 8: “We are gearing up and putting the final touches to these new aircraft which will improve our overall fleet performance, bring more flexibility and efficiency to our operations and further support our commitment to opening up new destinations, whilst delivering an exceptional onboard experience for our passengers.”
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