flydubai launching new route to Tashkent

flydubai adds a new destination to its network today. The inaugural flight to Tashkent, the capital of Uzbekistan departs DXB this evening. flydubai will be the first UAE-based airline to fly direct between the Emirates and Uzbekistan. The route will initially operate five times a week becoming daily from 31 May 2019.

Emirates will codeshare on the flight which will operate out of Terminal 3 at Dubai International. It will be flown by flydubai’s fleet of new B737 MAX 8 aircraft. Onboard the MAX 8 features 10 flat-bed seats in Business Class and new RECARO slimline seats in Economy.

The flight schedule has the potential for a quick weekend getaway. You could leave the office on a Thursday evening and be back at your desk first thing on Sunday morning. However, you are going to need to be either an excellent sleeper in Economy or snag one of the ten flat-bed seats in Business on the B737 Max 8.

The return flight from Tashkent looks brutal. The combination of a departure at 3 am and a flying time of under four hours adds up to very little sleep for anyone on board.

Should I fly to Tashkent with Skywards miles?

The short answer is no. Generally, redeeming Skywards miles for flights on flydubai is poor value. There may be exceptions to that rule at times. The redemption rates on flydubai fluctuate with the underlying cash price for the ticket. During promotions, better value redemptions may be available, particularly if you are looking to book a one-way flight.

What’s next?

Tashkent is an exciting new connection from the UAE. Uzbekistan is home to five world heritage sites, including the ancient cities of Bukhara and Samarkand. I am looking forward to seeing what other of new destinations from the UAE flydubai announces over the next few months.