flydubai Ab Initio Pilot Training: Boeing 737 Careers in 2026
flydubai's first ab initio cadets are now in training with Egnatia and Skyborne. The 2026 window has closed: here are the entry rules, the selection steps and how to catch the 2027 intake.
By Vadim Kouznetsov, published , updated
Updated 3 October 2026: first cadets now in training, new academy partners, 2026 window closed, current entry rules and what to expect for 2027.
flydubai's Ab Initio Pilot Training Programme, launched in May 2025, now has its first cadets in training, and the airline confirmed new flight school partners in September 2026. If you missed the 2026 application window, you have not missed the boat: flydubai says applications will reopen for 2027.
Here is how the programme works now, who can apply, and how to prepare for the next intake.
What the flydubai ab initio programme is
The programme takes people with little or no flying experience and trains them to fly the Boeing 737 for flydubai. Cadets train for a Multi-Crew Pilot Licence (MPL), a licence built around airline operations from day one.
Training combines ground school, simulator sessions and flight instruction with overseas partners, then type training at the flydubai Flight Training Centre in Dubai. The centre covers 38,000 sq ft and has four Boeing 737 full-flight simulators. FlightGlobal reported at launch that the course takes around 18 to 24 months.
First cadets now training: what changed in 2026
On 18 September 2026, flydubai named Egnatia Aviation in Europe and Skyborne Airline Academy in the United States as flight training partners for its first batches of cadets.
The inaugural intake includes cadets aged 17 to 28 from the UAE, Australia, Brazil, Canada, Germany, India, Kenya and the UK. The original plan for a first batch in the last quarter of 2025 has moved into this partner-led phase.
Entry requirements for flydubai cadets
According to the flydubai careers site, you must:
- Be aged 17 to 30
- Have finished high school with at least 70% or a GPA of 3.0
- Speak and write fluent English
- Be able to obtain a GCAA Class 1 Medical Certificate
UAE nationals need a UAE passport and Emirates ID, and male Emirati candidates must have completed Military National Service.
These rules are stricter than the ones reported at launch in 2025, which mentioned 50% in maths and physics. Use the careers page as your reference.
Who pays for the training?
For non-UAE nationals, the programme is self-sponsored, so you fund your own training. flydubai does not publish the total cost on its careers page, so ask for a full breakdown, including living costs abroad and any bond, before you commit.
flydubai also does not publish what ab initio graduates earn. As a guide, Aviation A2Z reported in 2025 that flydubai second officers on a separate entry route earned AED 22,465 a month, including housing and transport allowances, under a 5-year training bond of US$36,000. Treat those figures as indicative only.
The selection process, step by step
- Online application with your CV, cover letter and school transcripts
- Computer-based pilot aptitude and English tests
- On-demand video interview
- Application review
- Assessment day: group activity, personality assessment and a one-to-one interview
- GCAA Class 1 medical, at conditional offer stage
When is the 2027 intake?
The 2026 window has closed, and flydubai has not yet published dates for 2027. Aviation trade site AFM reported that a 2026 round aimed at Emirati candidates closed on 16 July 2026, so a similar mid-year window is possible, but nothing is confirmed.
To catch it:
- Check the flydubai ab initio careers page every few weeks
- Create a profile on the flydubai careers portal and set job alerts
- Book your GCAA Class 1 medical early, as a failed medical ends the process
- Keep your English and maths sharp for the aptitude tests
Why flydubai needs pilots
flydubai flies 98 Boeing 737s to more than 125 destinations and has more than 300 aircraft on order, including 30 Boeing 787s due from early 2028. It expects 11 more 737s before the end of 2026 and employs more than 1,520 pilots. Regionally, the need is large too: see our report on the Middle East needing 10,300+ pilots by 2030.
Key takeaway
flydubai's ab initio programme is running, with its first cadets training in Europe and the US. The 2026 window is closed and 2027 dates are not yet out, so meet the 70% grade and medical rules now and watch the careers page. Non-nationals should get full costs in writing before committing.
FAQ
Is the flydubai ab initio programme open in 2026?
No. The 2026 application window has closed. flydubai says it will reopen applications for 2027 but has not announced dates.
What is the age limit for flydubai cadet pilots?
You must be between 17 and 30 years old. You also need at least 70% or a 3.0 GPA in high school and a GCAA Class 1 medical.
Is flydubai pilot training free?
It is self-sponsored for non-UAE nationals, meaning you pay for your training. flydubai does not publish the total cost, so request a full written breakdown before signing.
Do I need flying experience to apply?
No. The programme is built for people with little or no flying experience and leads to a Multi-Crew Pilot Licence on the Boeing 737.
Which flight schools train flydubai cadets?
flydubai named Egnatia Aviation in Europe and Skyborne Airline Academy in the United States in September 2026. Type training happens at the flydubai Flight Training Centre in Dubai.
Further reading
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