3 minute read
ydubai Business Class B737-800 Dubai to Tbilisi
BACKGROUND It has been 10 years since flydubai launched services to Tbilisi, the capital of Georgia, and it’s become one of the airline’s most popular routes. The three-times-weekly service has opened up a destination that is something of a well-kept secret for many travellers and even within Europe, remains fairly inaccessible due to limited flight options. The former Soviet state, now dubbed ‘the Rome of the East’, is quintessentially ‘East meets West’, and is undergoing a beautiful revival. Old industrial buildings are being repurposed into trendy hotels, restaurants and boutiques, while the city is immersed in centuries-old history and culture.
CHECK-IN Poor planning on my part meant I travelled on the first day of the summer holidays in the UAE. As a result, T2 at Dubai International was extremely busy and massively understa ed to cope with the number of passengers, several of whom were trying to push into the business class queue and generally causing chaos around the check-in area. Once at the desk, check-in was smooth, despite the additional pandemic-related paperwork, which inevitably slows things down a little. Patience is key during these times. The business class queue was a mere fraction of the length of the long and snaking line for economy passengers where social distancing became a long-forgotten concept, so I was very thankful. Lounge access and fast-track boarding ensured the airport experience thereafter was a good one. The lounge still o ers an extensive à la carte menu and serves great co ee.
THE SEAT I was in seat 2F, a window seat that was spacious and comfortable. On such a short flight, it provided ample
BEST FOR Luxury at a ordable prices
CONFIGURATION 2-2
SEAT WIDTH 21 inches
SEAT PITCH 42 inches
FLIGHT TIME 3/3.5 hours
PRICE From AED3,100 one way
CONTACT
flydubai.com
space for a nap or to set-up the laptop for work. Given I am a self-confessed germphobic (even before the pandemic), sta reassured me the seats and cabin had been thoroughly sanitised between flights. The seat configuration is a 2-2 format and with just 12 business seats on this aircraft, it is di icult to say which is a good or bad seat. However, a front-row seat does ensure nobody leans their chair back into your space.
THE FLIGHT We took o 30 minutes after the scheduled departure time, which I can imagine was due to the holiday rush as we were held up waiting for late-toboard passengers. For a three-hour flight, the entertainment options were more than ample and in business there was a paid option for Wi-Fi, starting at US$8 for half an hour and up to $27 for a 24-hour pass. The business-class section was only one-third full, and the service was very attentive. The international three-course menu featured a choice of three mains: Chicken Florentine, Tomato and Garlic Prawns and Nut Roast, with one starter and dessert option too. Champagne was also served – a small luxury that I personally love when flying. It also shows the business-class service has not been compromised, despite the impact of the pandemic.
ARRIVAL Getting out of the airport was fast and smooth, even with extra pandemic paperwork, and sta at Tbilisi were refreshingly friendly.
VERDICT There are many perks to travelling with flydubai, one of which is that passengers can benefit from the partnership with Emirates, which includes accruing Skywards loyalty points. The carrier has also opened up access to many underserved or untapped markets and destinations, including Tbilisi, which is a strong selling point. Economy passengers can also make an upgrade bid when this savvy airline sells o the empty business seats. Bid prices start from just $200 one way, so it’s well worth exploring this option.
