Flydubai expects to restore its full operating capacity by the end of 2026 as it rebuilds its network following months of disruption across the Middle East.

The airline is currently operating at approximately 85% of its normal network capacity, but chief executive Ghaith Al Ghaith says it could return to full strength before the end of the year. Its capacity could eventually exceed previous levels as more aircraft arrive.

Flydubai is due to receive 11 additional Boeing 737 MAX aircraft during 2026, taking its fleet beyond 100 aircraft for the first time. The deliveries comprise seven Boeing 737-9 MAX aircraft and four smaller Boeing 737-8 MAX aircraft.

The expansion will give the airline greater flexibility to restore suspended services, increase frequencies on busy routes and potentially introduce further destinations from Dubai.

Flydubai’s network has been affected by the conflict involving Iran and the resulting disruption to airspace across the region.

Although airlines based in the Gulf have gradually restored much of their flying, some international carriers remain more cautious about operating within the region. Travel warnings and changing airspace restrictions have complicated airline schedules and increased operating costs.

Flydubai says its recovery is progressing, with the airline currently operating around 85% of its normal capacity and recording strong passenger loads.

Al Ghaith expects the airline to return to full capacity by the end of 2026. The arrival of additional aircraft means Flydubai could then operate at a higher level than it did before the disruption. Reuters reports on Flydubai’s recovery plans.

The recovery could be particularly important for destinations where Flydubai provides one of the few direct connections with Dubai. The airline has built much of its network around markets that were previously unserved or had limited links with the United Arab Emirates.

Flydubai currently operates 98 Boeing 737 aircraft across a network of more than 125 destinations in 56 countries.

Its existing fleet consists of 25 Boeing 737-800s, 69 Boeing 737-8 MAX aircraft and four Boeing 737-9 MAX aircraft. The 11 aircraft arriving during 2026 will take the total beyond 100, although some deliveries may also allow older aircraft to leave the fleet.

Seven of the incoming aircraft will be the larger Boeing 737-9 MAX. Flydubai configures this version with 16 Business Class seats and 156 Economy Class seats.

The other four aircraft will be Boeing 737-8 MAX jets. Some of Flydubai’s aircraft of this type contain 10 Business Class seats, meaning the larger MAX 9 provides the airline with additional premium capacity without requiring another flight.

That could allow Flydubai to deploy more Business Class seats on routes with strong premium demand while retaining the lower operating costs associated with a narrow-body aircraft.

The airline says the deliveries will support its long-term fleet strategy while providing additional capacity for network growth and high-demand routes. Flydubai has published further details about the aircraft.

The new aircraft are only one part of Flydubai’s investment programme.

Beginning in September 2026, the airline will upgrade 21 Boeing 737 MAX aircraft that currently have reclining Business Class seats. These will receive Flydubai’s lie-flat Business Class product over the following 12 months.

The work should make the onboard experience more consistent across the fleet. Flydubai operates flights of considerably different lengths, including services to Europe, Africa and Southeast Asia, making a fully flat seat particularly valuable on its longer routes.

A passenger booking Business Class can currently encounter different seats depending on the aircraft assigned to the flight. The retrofit will reduce the number of MAX aircraft operating with the older recliner product, although passengers should continue to check the seat map because aircraft substitutions can still happen.

Larger overhead storage bins will also be installed. Boeing’s Space Bins can accommodate up to six standard cabin bags, compared with four in the existing bins.

That may sound like a relatively modest change, but limited overhead storage can slow the boarding process and result in bags being removed from the cabin. The additional capacity should make it easier for passengers to keep compliant cabin baggage close to their seats.

Flydubai has already completed a separate refurbishment of its older Boeing 737-800 fleet, adding new Economy seats, inflight entertainment and lie-flat Business Class seats.

Flydubai has not announced which routes will receive the additional capacity, so the arrival of 11 aircraft does not automatically mean 11 new destinations.

Some of the aircraft may replace older jets, while others could be used to restore routes or frequencies reduced during the recent disruption. Additional capacity could also be directed towards destinations already experiencing strong demand.

For passengers, the immediate benefits could include:

More frequent services may also place downward pressure on fares where Flydubai competes with other airlines. However, fuel prices and continuing geopolitical uncertainty could still influence ticket prices and future schedules.

Passengers booking travel in the region should continue checking the latest flight information and official travel advice, particularly when travelling several months ahead.

Flydubai operates independently from Emirates but maintains a close commercial partnership with the larger Dubai airline.

The cooperation allows passengers to book connecting itineraries involving both carriers, opening access to destinations that Emirates does not serve directly. Selected Flydubai flights also operate from Terminal 3 at Dubai International Airport, which can make connections with Emirates more convenient.

The passenger experience is not identical, however. Flydubai uses narrow-body Boeing 737 aircraft, while Emirates primarily operates wide-body Airbus A380s and Boeing 777s.

Baggage, meals, seat selection and onboard inclusions can also depend on the Flydubai fare purchased. Travellers connecting between the two airlines should therefore check the conditions applying to the complete itinerary rather than assuming that Emirates’ usual inclusions will apply throughout.

Flydubai’s planned return to full capacity is a significant step in the recovery of air travel across the Middle East. The arrival of 11 Boeing 737 MAX aircraft should provide useful flexibility, although it remains too early to know which routes will gain additional flights.

The cabin retrofit may be just as important for passengers. Replacing reclining Business Class seats with lie-flat products and installing larger overhead bins should create a more consistent experience across Flydubai’s expanding fleet.

The real test will come when the airline publishes its restored schedules. If the extra aircraft result in more frequencies, stronger connections and competitive fares, passengers travelling between Dubai and Flydubai’s many underserved destinations could be the biggest beneficiaries.