When it comes to Middle Eastern low-cost carriers (LCCs), many people may feel anxious about service quality and safety. I too had some concerns before using Air Arabia for the first time. Questions like “Will it really fly on schedule?”, “Is the cabin environment okay?”, and “Could it be dangerous?” crossed my mind.
However, after actually experiencing it, those concerns turned out to be unfounded. This article provides a detailed account of my experience using Air Arabia for a round trip from Sharjah to Shiraz, Iran. I hope to share the actual service quality and experience with those who have preconceptions about Middle Eastern LCCs.
About Air Arabia
https://www.airlineroutemaps.com/maps/Air_Arabia
Air Arabia is one of the largest LCCs in the Middle East, based in Sharjah, UAE. Established in 2003, it serves over 170 cities across the Middle East, North Africa, Asia, and Europe. It’s particularly valuable for travel to certain regions of the Middle East and Asia, as it operates many routes that other airlines don’t cover.
The airline is characterized by its competitive pricing and slightly higher value services than typical LCCs, such as allowing up to 10kg of cabin baggage included in the basic fare. While based in Sharjah, it also maintains multiple hubs including Casablanca, Morocco and Alexandria, Egypt.
A Minor Issue During Booking
For this trip, I booked the flight through the budget OTA “SEISHIN SPIRIT.” This is a relatively new budget flight booking site known for its strength in Middle East and Asia routes. While the price was attractive, a minor issue occurred during the booking process. I’ve written about the specific details in a separate article for those interested. Despite this trouble, I was ultimately able to enjoy the trip without any problems.
Before Departure: Experience at Sharjah Airport
Early morning at Sharjah International Airport was more vibrant than I had expected. Located in the neighboring city of Dubai, this airport may not be as massive as Dubai International Airport, but it was surprisingly bustling with many travelers. Upon arriving at the airport, I immediately spotted Air Arabia’s dedicated check-in counters. The red and white brand colors stood out prominently, with multiple counters open.
A relatively small airport, but with international flights to various countries worldwide
Both the check-in counter and security check were surprisingly uncrowded, taking only about 5 minutes each to pass through. On my way to the boarding gate, I walked past the airport’s compact but well-equipped shops and cafes. Since I hadn’t eaten breakfast, I bought a simple sandwich and coffee. With about 30 minutes before boarding time, I had a light breakfast on a bench near the gate.
Time to Board
Twenty minutes before boarding time, an announcement was made. Announcements were given in English, Arabic, and Persian, in that order, and passengers immediately began forming a line.
At the boarding gate, Air Arabia staff in red uniforms checked boarding passes and passports. I immediately began walking across the jet bridge leading to the aircraft. Walking along the jet bridge, I experienced the strange sensation of UAE’s scorching outside air mixing with air-conditioned cool air.
Upon stepping into the cabin, flight attendants greeted me with smiles. Inside the A320 aircraft, red and gray seats were arranged in orderly rows. I hadn’t been able to select a seat during booking (seat selection costs extra), but despite checking in at the last minute, I managed to secure a window seat. From the window, I had a panoramic view of Sharjah Airport.
Once seated, the legroom was average, and even as a male passenger, I could stretch my legs. The seat pocket contained only safety instructions and in-flight sales information. True to LCC style, there was no in-flight entertainment system. The cabin quickly filled to capacity, and boarding was completed.
Efficient Departure and Time in Flight
I was surprised by how quickly we departed after boarding was completed. Flight attendants quickly conducted safety checks, and as soon as the door closed, there was an announcement from the captain. The flight time would be 1 hour and 30 minutes, with good weather conditions and some expected turbulence.
As soon as the safety demonstration ended, the aircraft left the gate and headed to the runway. Upon reaching the runway, the engine noise increased dramatically, and I felt strong acceleration. It was efficient, or perhaps a bit rough. The plane quickly gained speed and left the ground within seconds.
Once the aircraft reached stable altitude and the seatbelt sign was turned off, flight attendants began preparing for in-flight sales. In-flight announcements promoted the sale of beverages and light meals, but since it was a short flight, I didn’t purchase anything.
Since there was no entertainment system onboard, I listened to music on my smartphone while gazing out the window. Perhaps due to the relatively low altitude, the scenery was clearly visible, and the transition from UAE’s desert landscape to the emerald green waters of the Persian Gulf, and then to Iran’s mountainous terrain, was quite impressive.
Acrobatic Landing Approach
About two-thirds through the flight time, the captain announced that preparation for landing at our destination would begin. As we gradually descended, Iran’s dry rocky desert spread out below the window.
In the final phase of the flight, as we approached Shiraz, a beautiful Pink Lake came into view. The vivid pink lake provided a wonderful contrast against the surrounding brown earth, and I couldn’t help but take photos with my smartphone.
At that moment, the aircraft suddenly began banking sharply to the right. I instinctively felt “this is not a normal turn.” The ground visible from the window suddenly became diagonal, and the aircraft was banking significantly.
I suppressed the urge to gasp and gripped the seat armrest tightly. Looking around, the local Iranian passengers were completely unfazed by this sharp turn. Many people were casually looking out their windows at the scenery, indicating that this was a routine landing pattern.
This dramatic turn reminded me of the approach to the former Hong Kong Kai Tak Airport, known as the “Hong Kong Turn.” I later learned that this sharp turn approach to Shiraz Airport is a well-known “feature” and is necessary due to the geographical terrain.
After completing the sharp turn, the aircraft stabilized again, and the cityscape of Shiraz came into view. Through the window, I could see a mix of historic and modern structures throughout the city. As we descended further and the runway became visible, the aircraft was completely stable and made a smooth landing.
Summary
I subsequently became a regular Air Arabia passenger
Despite being an LCC, Air Arabia provides sufficiently satisfactory service for short-haul flights like the Sharjah-Shiraz route. It’s particularly suitable for travelers who want to keep costs down while maintaining minimum comfort, or those planning short trips via the Middle East. With Air Arabia operating many routes that other airlines don’t serve frequently, it will be a strong ally for Middle East and Asia travel.
