I choose FlyDubai for my flight from Kuwait and Dubai as it offered a very competitive fare in business class – much cheaper than Kuwait Airways or Emirates – and I was eager to try this product.
FlyDubai does not use Kuwait International Airport’s main terminal but the Sheikh Saad Terminal. It’s on the other side of the runway. It takes 10 minutes to drive there from the main terminal and costs 5 KWD by taxi.
The only airline at this terminal, with the exception of private flights, is FlyDubai. The layout of the terminal is original but simple: economy class passengers go to the right and business class passengers go to the left as you enter. There are some shops in the middle.
Business class check-in is completely separated, and so are passport control (which is immediately next to the check-in desks) and security (after the lounge, before boarding). If there is no agent at check-in or immigration do not worry, they will come after a few minutes. Access to the lounge is available for economy class passengers for 7 KWD. The lounge is just one large room, and it is comfortable.
There is a private flights lounge next to it. It was not in use when I was there.
Only basic food was available: microwavable packaged food, snacks, sandwiches, soft drinks. Staff was nice and friendly.
I had some corn salad, apple juice and a tea.
I was in the lounge until 20.20. Security control was behind the lounge, after boarding started. I had than a very short walk with a nice view of the plane.
There are three rows of business class seats in a 2+2 configuration. US first class type recline seats (not lie-flat or flat-bed) but with a lot of legroom, at least in the front row. Very comfortable for such a short flight.
Headphones and water were waiting in the seat pocket.
Business class was full. Water, apple and orange juice offered when boarding was completed. The crew was experienced, efficient and friendly, especially the purser who did a very professional job.
Scheduled departure time was 20.35. We took off from runway 15L at 20.53. This short delay was not a problem as expected flight time was 1 hour 20 minutes only. There were some very nice views over Kuwait City during take-off.
I selected the air show for my screen built in the bulkhead wall.
There were also around 200 movies, many TV shows and a lot of different music from all categories. A very impressive choice for a short-haul budget airline – much better than what many long-haul legacy airlines offer.
Meal and drink menus were distributed shortly after. Three-course dinner included potato salad, a choice of three mains (Honey Mustard Chicken, Citrush Fish and Pumpkin Ravioli) and a cake (Coconut Slice). The drink selection was impressive: Taitinger NV Champagne (which routinely gets high ratings), red and white wine, six types of aperitifs and digestifs, three types of beers, and of course a good selection of soft drinks, tea and coffee. Keep in mind once again that we’re talking about the business class of a budget short-haul airline!
I had champagne, salad, pasta, cake and apple juice. The salad was fresh. The main was, while nothing outstanding, perfectly fine. The cake was OK. Altogether the meal was very good for such a short flight sold at such a competitive price.
"Would you like more champagne?"
I listened to a Johnny Cash disk during the rest of my flight
We had to fly behind Dubai but still landed at 23.15, well ahead of schedule.
There was a separate business class bus that took us to Terminal 2, directly to immigration.
As I had a connecting flight with British Airways from Terminal 1 I didn’t have to clear immigration. I took instead the free airside shuttle bus
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Verdict
FlyDubai
10.0/10
Cabin10.0
Cabin crew10.0
Entertainment/wifi10.0
Meal/catering10.0
Pearl Lounge - 3
5.0/10
Comfort5.0
Meal/catering5.0
Entertainment/wifi5.0
Services5.0
Kuwait City - KWI
7.0/10
Efficiency8.0
Access5.0
Services6.0
Cleanliness9.0
Dubai - DXB
10.0/10
Efficiency10.0
Access10.0
Services10.0
Cleanliness10.0
Conclusion
With the separate immigration and security and the comfortable lounge I had a pleasant time waiting at the airport. The food and drink selection were moderate but I expected that given the low price I paid. The flight however absolutely exceeded to my expectations with the comfy seat, the huge legroom, the absolutely charming cabin crew, the very good choice of meals and drinks and the outstanding choice of in-flight entertainment. I would not hesitate a second to pay the relatively small extra fee to fly FlyDubai business on a short-haul flight from or to Dubai.
8 LIKESLIKE TO THANK THE AUTHORTHANKS ! FLIGHT-REPORT LIKED
The business class product is impressive for such a short flight. Did you buy this ticket as a one-way ticket ? How much was it ? Thank you for this FR !
Thank you for your comment. FlyDubai is a budget airline and all pricing is each way. The price was 81 KWD/ 220 EUR against 125 KWD/340 EUR for Kuwait Airways and 324 KWD/880 EUR for Emirates.
Thank you for the report. Quite impressive business class for a budget airlines on a short flight! The lounge sounds quiet and nice. Enough food and beverages also. Nice surprise.
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29 reviews
4 Comments
Quite impressive business class for a budget airlines on a short flight! The lounge sounds quiet and nice. Enough food and beverages also.
Nice surprise.
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