Flydubai was started by the government of Dubai in 2008 and was supported by Emirates during the firm’s establishing phase, but flydubai is not part of the Emirates Group. With the backing of the Dubai government, flydubai ordered 50 Boeing 737-800s at a total price of $3.74 billion. The first planes were delivered in 2009, and flydubai was air bound for Beirut, the first market served. The company Quickly grew as additional planes on order arrived. As of early 2013, the company served 52 market, mostly in the Middle East but also a few select markets in Eastern Europe and India. In contrast to Emirates, flydubai is a discount airline provider much like a Spirit Airlines or AirTran in the USA or Ryanair or easyJet in Europe. Flydubai operates 28 planes and 800 flights per week. The average age of aircraft is less than two years. The company does not currently provide financial information to the public.
Customers in first, business, and economy classes also enjoy amenities that exceed most all competing airlines. Hot, moist, hand towels are provided after meals to customers, even those in economy class. Serving all passengers since 1972 is the distinguished “Singapore Girl” that according to the company “is and enduring symbol of our impactable service standards.”