After Air France cancelled our Istanbul-Paris flight earlier in the day, we found ourselves headed back to Istanbul Airport (IST) twelve hours later. After an impromptu stay at the Hilton Mall of Istanbul, it was time to begin the long journey home on our rebooked FlyDubai Boeing 737-800 Business Class flight to Dubai.
Booking Our FlyDubai Boeing 737-800 Business Class Flight
We were rebooked onto FlyDubai after Air France cancelled the IST-CDG leg of our trip which caused us to miss our onward flight to DFW. Our regular flight was supposed to depart IST at 6:00a and we were rebooked on an itinerary via Dubai that would get us home a full day later.
Since we were traveling with our 10 month old, Mrs. ATX wasn’t thrilled about backtracking 4+ hours to Dubai just for a 16+ hour Emirates flight home and we tried to no avail to get Air France to rebook us on the direct Istanbul-Dallas flight. Mrs. ATX was so desperate at one point that she started talking crazy and even considered flying in Economy to take the direct flight.
We didn’t have any say in booking this routing but the avgeek and travel blogger in me was excited as FlyDubai and Emirates were two new carriers for me. Since Air France paid the bill I have no clue what the actual cost of the flight was but a similar one way itinerary from Istanbul to Dallas via Dubai runs approximately $9000 for a last minute booking.
Check-In
After spending the day at the Hilton Mall of Istanbul we hopped in a cab to make the journey out to Istanbul Airport. The facility is brand new and replaces the old Istanbul Airport at Ataturk but, it is out in the middle of nowhere. Think Denver International Airport if they moved it 15 miles further from the city.
After a 30 minute cab ride we were curbside at the airport and followed signage over to Check In Area N where we found the FlyDubai counters. There was nobody in the Business Class queue and we checked our bags all the way through to DFW.
We had a back and forth around ATX Jr.’s stroller as it appears that Emirates and FlyDubai typically check strollers to the final destination. The airline provides strollers in Dubai for transit passengers but given our transfer time and the fact we had to change terminals we didn’t want to try and use those.
Fortunately the station manager agreed to let us keep the stroller with us on the flight to Dubai and we would gate check it before our flight to Dallas. Boarding passes and stroller in hand, we headed off towards security.
Lounge
FlyDubai, like many other airlines, uses the IGA Lounge for its elite and premium cabin passengers in Istanbul. The space is absolutely huge, measuring over 50,000 square feet, and has seating for 650 people. While the lounge was busy during our visit, we had no issues finding seats and a space to spread out prior to our flight. You can read my full review of the IGA Lounge here.
Boarding Our FlyDubai Boeing 737-800 Business Class Flight
Our flight to Dubai was boarding from Gate C1, a short walk from the IGA Lounge. Boarding was scheduled to begin at 6:00p for our 6:35p departure though when we arrived it hadn’t started yet.
The boarding area was a free-for-all as lines hadn’t been put in place which led to a mass of people surrounding the boarding area. I did manage to get a glimpse of our Boeing 737-800, registration A6-FET, that would be taking us down to Dubai that evening.
Istanbul Airport uses eGates and boarding began for Business Class and Economy passengers at the same time through the two eGates. This created a mad dash down the jet bridge with some passengers pushing their way towards the front.
FlyDuba
FZ 728
IST-DXB (Istanbul – Dubai International)
Seat: 1F (Business)
B737-800 (A6-FET)
Scheduled: 6:35p-12:05a (+1)
Actual: 7:00p-12:34a (+1)
Ultimately, there was no reason to rush as we all ended up being held at the end of the jetbridge for a few minutes while they finished cleaning and catering the aircraft. Finally, we were cleared to board through Door 1L and turned right into the Business Class cabin.
FlyDubai Boeing 737-800 Business Class Seat
FlyDubai has 10 seats on its Boeing 737-800s in Business Class spread across three rows. Rows 1 and 3 are in a 2-2 configuration while Row 2 is in a 1-1 configuration with the “Throne” seats.
We were initially assigned Seats 1D and 1F, the bulkhead pair on the right side of the aircraft. However, after determining there was only one other person in Business Class, Mrs. ATX moved to 2E, the throne seat, while I slid over and took 1F.
For a narrowbody aircraft the seats were quite spacious. In the first and third rows, where the seats are in a 2-2 configuration, there’s a large divider between the two seats which held the literature pocket. The divider could also slide out if you were traveling next to a stranger.
A water bottle was located in the cubby next to the seat along with a USB-A charger, headphone jack, reading light, and a hook for the headphones.
Seat controls are located on the armrest near the seat and were intuitive to use.
The footwell was on the smaller side but for a short flight, I never even put the seat in bed mode.
Above the footwell was the IFE screen, it was a decent size but there is definitely space to make it larger.
The IFE controls are located in a small compartment in the armrest next to the seat controls.
The tray table folded out of the center console and was one large single piece. It could be adjusted back and forth based on passenger comfort.
The tray table can be rotated 90 degrees depending on how you want everything set up.
A pillow and a pair of headphones were waiting at the seat when we boarded, though no amenity kits were distributed on this flight. While all of the seats were comfortable, if you’re a solo traveler or traveling with a baby, I’d recommend Seats 2B or 2E.
Departure
Boarding was completed a few minutes after our scheduled departure time. With only 3 passengers in Business Class, the flight attendant working our cabin did a pre-departure beverage service with a choice between water, orange juice, or apple juice. I chose water while Mrs. ATX had apple juice.
The boarding door was finally closed 15 minutes after our scheduled departure time at which point the Captain made his welcome announcement. At this point, the safety video was also displayed.
There was some traffic in the alley and we didn’t push off of the gate until 25 minutes after our scheduled departure time.
We ended up sitting on the taxiway for 10 minutes before we started our taxi out to the runway. A heavy fog had blanketed the airport which no doubt was having an impact on operations.
I was worried that the fog would have an impact on airport operations but, after a 15 minute taxi, we took off from Runway 36 to the north before looping around to the southwest to head towards Dubai.
In-Flight
20 minutes after departure a thick blanket was distributed by the crew. 15 minutes later the meal service began with hot towels being distributed.
The menu for our flight read as follows.
Five minutes after hot towels were distributed, the beverage service began. I ordered a glass of champagne. FlyDubai serves Pommery Brut Royal NV onboard. The beverages were served with a ramekin filled with chips.
The meal was served ten minutes later all on one tray. I ordered the beef which was slightly overcooked for my taste but still juicy and delicious.
After dinner, I headed to check out the lavatory which was clean but wasn’t anything special.
With 2h 30m remaining in the flight I was the only Business Class passenger still awake and the crew dimmed the cabin lights. I got some work done and watched the moving map as we chugged towards Dubai.
An hour before arrival, the flight attendant working our cabin came around with another round of drinks for me and the crew brought me another round of drinks which was accompanied by another ramekin of chips and soon we were descending into Dubai.
Arrival
Unlike my first trip to Dubai on KLM, I had a window seat on approach and managed to get a good look at the city at night.
After landing, we taxied over to Terminal 2 which is FlyDubai’s base of operations. Terminal 2 doesn’t have jetbridges so we deplaned via airstairs and boarded a bus for the short ride to the terminal.
There was a separate bus for Business Class and, with only three passengers, we departed soon after stepping onboard.
The bus dropped us off at the transfer area and we followed the signage for the buses to Terminal 3 and our connecting flight to Dallas.
Summary
While our trip with FlyDubai was unexpected, we had a great time on the airline. For a narrowbody, the seats are very comfortable but, on routes like Istanbul-Dubai that are served by both Emirates and FlyDubai, you’re better off with the former.
What ultimately made this flight so wonderful was the crew and how they interacted with our 10 month old. They went above and beyond to make his trip as enjoyable as possible and I would happily fly with FlyDubai and this crew again.