{"id":142789,"date":"2025-03-19T02:09:50","date_gmt":"2025-03-19T02:09:50","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/peraltafinancing.com\/airline\/air-arabia-first-impressions-the-airline-blog\/"},"modified":"2025-03-19T02:09:50","modified_gmt":"2025-03-19T02:09:50","slug":"air-arabia-first-impressions-the-airline-blog","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/fivemor.com\/?p=142789","title":{"rendered":"Air Arabia- first impressions – The Airline Blog"},"content":{"rendered":"


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I had my first flight with Air Arabia recently. Though ticket was booked with Etihad, one of the leg I opted for a flight operated by Air Arabia. Below are some key observations.<\/p>\n

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Air Arabia is a low cost airline. So like other LCCs, expect to pay for everything.<\/p>\n

Because my ticket was booked on Etihad, I was entitled for 1 meal on Air Arabia flight. Air Arabia meal had good portion of rice and a curry, but nothing else. Only a bottle of water. Everything else, including coffee is for purchase.<\/p>\n

Compared to Etihad, meals tray missed sweets, salad, bread etc. Plus Etihad gives blanket, pillow, no such option in Air Arabia.<\/p>\n

Air Arabia has been in business for several years now- 20+ and operate a fairly vast network out of Sharjah, Abu Dabhi and few other hubs. Once in a while we might find good deals to Africa, Europe on Air Arabia from Calicut, Kochi or Mumbai.<\/p>\n

Exit rows are chargeable, but there were no one there on our flight, so few passengers were asked to sit in exit row.<\/p>\n

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Air Arabia has a free inflight entertainment. We can watch movies etc on our mobile phone. However, movie collection is so old and poor, I closed it. No USB charging inside the plane.<\/p>\n

Air Arabia inflight menu was good- they accept AED or USD or INR (at inflated rates). Lots of snacks, drinks and meals to chose from. Veg Biriyani was 25 AED, 1 small tender coconut water\/ masala tea is 7 AED and so on.<\/p>\n

Some items are priced 2.1 USD. This 0.1 USD will cause inconvenience. They could have kept it at 2 USD.<\/p>\n

Air Arabia’s PNR is also unique- 8 digit all numbers, unlike 6 alphanumeric PNRs used by other airlines.<\/p>\n

Overall flight was on time, crew were nice and experience was fine. Air Arabia competes with FlyDubai<\/a>, FlyNas and few other middle east budget carriers.<\/p>\n

Summary:<\/b> Good things: Nice planes, good food, reasonable price, fairly good network, inflight magazine, 10 KG cabin baggage and prices<\/p>\n

Can be improved: content of inflight entertainment.<\/p>\n

Note: there is Air Arabia sale going on<\/a>. Return ticket to various destinations for under 24k!. Do not miss. I’ve booked few trips for 2025<\/p>\n<\/div>\n