Aeroplan Adds Partnership with Flydubai

Aeroplan has announced that Flydubai has become its latest partner. As of December 6, 2023, it’s now possible to redeem Aeroplan points on the Dubai-based airline.

The addition of Flydubai complements Air Canada’s routes to Dubai (DXB) from Vancouver and Toronto, and adds to Aeroplan’s existing airline partner network in the Middle East.

Aeroplan Adds Partnership with Flydubai

Aeroplan has added a partnership with Flydubai, which becomes the latest carrier based in the region to be added to Aeroplan’s partner airline network.

Flydubai operates out of Dubai (DXB), and flies to over 110 destinations in 50+ countries. The carrier provides coverage to locations throughout the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), Middle East, Africa, Asia, the Caucasus, Cental Europe, Southeast Europe, and the Indian Subcontinent.

The airline operates a young fleet of over 75 Boeing 737 aircraft in a two-class configuration, offering economy and business class.

The key details of Aeroplan’s partnership with Flydubai are as follows:

• Redemption pricing is based on the Travel on Emirates grid
• Aeroplan members can book flights online, on the Air Canada app, or with the Aeroplan Contact Centre
• Flights with Flydubai may be combined with Air Canada and other airline partners
• The $39 partner booking fee applies for flights with Flydubai

Here’s a snapshot of Flydubai’s network from FlightConnections.

Flydubai adds extensive coverage throughout the Middle East and the Indian Subcontinent, as well as Central Asia, East Africa, and parts of Europe.

As for redemption pricing, we can expect flights with Flydubai to cost a similar number of points as flights with Emirates.

For example, a one-way flight from Dubai to Zanzibar might cost 124,300 Aeroplan points in business class for a roughly six-hour flight.

You can fly from Dubai to Malé for 29,300 points in economy, or 78,100 points in business class.

A flight to Almaty, Kazakhstan from Dubai prices out at 120,800 points in business class.

And heading further afield to Krabi, Thailand prices out at 166,300 points for a seven-hour flight in business class.

If you originate in Canada, you can combine flights with Air Canada and Flydubai. For example, an Air Canada flight from Toronto connecting to a Flydubai flight to Zanzibar might price out at 95,700 points in economy or 332,500 points in business class.

At first glance, award availability appears to be quite ample, especially for business class redemptions. 

However, it’s worth noting that the award pricing is indeed quite steep when compared to the fixed pricing for other Aeroplan partner airlines. 

It appears that it’s not possible to earn Aeroplan points on Flydubai flights at this time.

What Is Flydubai’s Onboard Product Like?

Flydubai currently operates a fleet of Boeing 737 aircraft, with economy and business class cabins. At present, there are over 75 Boeing 737 aircraft in operation, and the airline has many more on order.

Recently, the airline placed an order for 30 Boeing 787 Dreamliner aircraft, which are set to arrive in 2026 at the earliest. Once operational, the Dreamliners will be the first widebody aircraft to join Flydubai’s fleet.

Flydubai’s business class cabin ranges from recliner seats to several variations of lie-flat business class seating.

Its most cutting-edge product is expected to be offered on new aircraft deliveries by the end of 2023 on select routes. The “Vue” business class suite has a 1-1 configuration, with a sliding door for privacy and many modern features.

Flydubai also offers lie-flat business class seats in a staggered configuration. Some rows feature single “throne” seats, while others have two lie-flat seats side-by-side.

The recliner business class product is setup in a 2-2 configuration, with each seat slightly offset from its neighbour.

The economy cabin features a 3-3 configuration, with a seatback entertainment system available to all passengers.

It’s worth noting that the vast majority of Flydubai’s flights are less than six hours; however, as it eventually takes delivery of Dreamliners, that’s very likely to change.

Conclusion

Aeroplan has added its latest partner airline, and members can now redeem points for flights with Flydubai.

The airline provides good coverage throughout the Gulf, Middle East, Central Asia, the Indian Subcontinent, East Africa, and into Europe. While most of the carrier’s flights are six hours or less, it offers lie-flat business class seats on a number of routes.

Redemption pricing is in line with that of Emirates, which is higher than with other Aeroplan partner airlines. However, if you’re looking for a convenient connection to any of Flydubai’s destinations, you shouldn’t have a difficult time finding award availability.