Flydubai unveiled its brand-new Boeing 737 MAX 8 at Dubai Airshow 2017. The Dubai-based carrier is the first operator in the region to take delivery of the latest incarnation of the 737. The aircraft, delivered in July, is the first of the 76 ordered at the 2013 edition of the show. A further five aircraft will follow this year, with the remainder scheduled for delivery by 2023.

Altogether, the carrier — created in 2008 — now has a total of 320 737 MAXs on order, following its huge $27bn order for a further 225 aircraft announced during the show.

Though flydubai is theoretically classified as a low cost carrier, its 737 MAX 8s feature a Business Class with a seat that can be converted into a totally flat bed measuring 78 inches in length. Every MAX business seat has a 15.6-inch 1080p HD built-in touchscreen.

Economy class seats — supplied by Recaro — are fitted with 11.6-inch HD touchscreens “with a very high pixel density”.

The new Boeing 737 MAX 8s will initially be deployed on the furthest points on the carrier’s network. Destinations including Bangkok, Prague, Yekaterinburg and Zanzibar will be among the first to be served by the MAX 8.  The additional aircraft being delivered over the next few years will be rolled out across the fleet and will become available on most of the routes on the network.