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Air Arabia

The Middle East's first low-cost airline, flying from Sharjah

  • United Arab EmiratesCountry
  • G9IATA Code
  • ABYICAO Code
  • IndependentAlliance
  • Low-CostAirline Type

Guide reviewed

About Air Arabia

Air Arabia is the Middle East’s first low-cost airline, flying from Sharjah in the UAE to the Middle East, the Indian subcontinent, Africa, Central Asia and Europe. Every fare includes 10 kg of cabin baggage, Value and Ultimate add checked bags, and power banks cannot be used during the flight. This guide covers power bank rules, check-in at Sharjah, the group’s sister airlines and how it compares with flydubai and Air India Express.

The airline was founded in 2003 by the Sharjah government and later listed on the Dubai Financial Market. It flies an all-Airbus fleet of A320 and A321neo aircraft and has grown into a group with bases in Abu Dhabi, Egypt and Morocco.

Air Arabia flights to Sharjah
Photo: Safwan C K / Unsplash

Power Bank Rules on Air Arabia

The rules were tightened in 2025 and still apply in 2026:

  • Power banks cannot be used to charge phones or other devices during the flight.
  • They cannot be recharged from the aircraft’s power supply.
  • Only power banks up to 100 Wh are accepted, in cabin baggage, never in checked bags.
  • Keep them switched off in the seat pocket or under the seat, not in the overhead locker.

Check-In at Sharjah Airport

Online check-in opens 48 hours before departure on the website and app. Counters at Sharjah usually close 60 minutes before departure, so arrive at least three hours early for international flights.

Sharjah also has city check-in centres, where you can drop your bags before going to the airport.

Families and Special Assistance

Infants under two travel on an adult’s lap and get an extra 3 kg bag. Children can sit with their parents if seats are selected at booking. Wheelchairs and other special assistance should be requested at least 48 hours before the flight.

Sister Airlines in the Group

The same website sells flights on several sister airlines, so check which one operates your flight:

  • Abu Dhabi: a sister airline flies from Abu Dhabi (AUH).
  • Egypt: a sister airline flies from Cairo, Alexandria and other Egyptian airports.
  • Morocco: a sister airline flies from Casablanca, Tangier and other Moroccan airports.
  • Fly Jinnah: a partner airline in Pakistan.

How to Find Cheap Air Arabia Flights

Cheap Air Arabia flights: airplane flying in a blue sky
Photo: Viktor Forgacs on Unsplash
  • Book early for Eid and school holidays, when fares to India and Pakistan rise fast.
  • Compare Basic plus a bag with Value, which also includes a seat and a snack.
  • Add extra baggage online, which can cost up to 90% less than at the airport.
  • Check Abu Dhabi departures, which can be cheaper than Sharjah on some routes.
  • Compare airlines: use the FlightSelects flight search to see its fares next to flydubai, Air India Express and others.

Air Arabia vs flydubai vs Air India Express

Three low-cost airlines on routes between the UAE and South Asia.

  Air Arabia flydubai Air India Express
Hub Sharjah Dubai Bengaluru, Delhi and Kochi
Free cabin baggage 10 kg (7 kg + 3 kg) 7 kg 7 kg + personal item
Checked bag on cheapest fare None None None
Loyalty Airewards Emirates Skywards Maharaja Club

See our flydubai guide and Air India Express guide to compare.

Arriving in Sharjah

Sharjah International Airport is about 15 km from Sharjah city and about 25 km from central Dubai. Taxis and buses link the airport with both cities, and journeys to Dubai can be slow at rush hour.

You can also book an airport transfer in advance at a fixed price.

Is Air Arabia a Good Airline?

Yes. It offers low fares, a generous 10 kg cabin allowance, a modern Airbus fleet and a large network from the UAE, making it one of the region’s most popular budget airlines.

For more options, see our airline guides and the FlightSelects travel blog.

Facts checked in October 2026 against Wego’s 2026 baggage guide, Wego on fare types and Gulf News on UAE airline power bank rules. Rules change, so check the official website before you travel.

Airline Partnerships

The airline is not a member of a global airline alliance. It runs its own group of low-cost airlines in the UAE, Egypt, Morocco and partner markets.

Codeshare & Interline Partnerships

The group includes sister airlines based in Abu Dhabi, Egypt and Morocco, and it is a partner in Fly Jinnah in Pakistan. Connections between group flights can be booked together on the same website.

Hubs & Focus Cities

Sharjah International Airport (SHJ) is the main hub. Group airlines fly from Abu Dhabi, Casablanca and airports in Egypt.

Popular Air Arabia Routes

The busiest routes link Sharjah with India, Pakistan, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Egypt and Türkiye, plus Central Asia, Africa and Europe. Choose a route to see recent schedules and fares.

Fares are the lowest recently found by our partners and can change quickly. Select a fare to check live prices and availability.

Air Arabia Reschedule & Cancellation Policy

The airline sells three fare bundles: Basic (cabin baggage only), Value (adds a checked bag, a standard seat and a snack) and Ultimate (more baggage, any seat, a hot meal and the most flexibility).

When you change a booking, you pay any fare difference plus any change fee for your bundle. Cancellations on Value and Ultimate can be refunded as travel credit or cash for a fee that depends on the route.

  • Basic One change for a fee (about AED 200 on UAE routes) plus any fare difference; credit only after a penalty.
  • Value One free change (fare difference applies); cancel for credit or cash for a fee.
  • Ultimate Two free changes; free cancellation to travel credit, or cash for a fee.
  • Fees Vary by country of departure.
  • How to change or cancel Use Manage Booking on the website or app.

Air Arabia Seat Selection & Additional Services

Basic fares don't include seats or meals. Value includes a free standard seat (row 8 onwards) and a sandwich and water, and Ultimate includes any seat from row 2 and a hot meal.

Extras such as seats, meals and extra baggage are cheaper when added online before you fly.

  • Basic Seats and meals are paid extras.
  • Value Free standard seat and a snack.
  • Ultimate Any seat from row 2 and a hot meal.
  • Extra legroom Paid seats at the front and over the wings.
  • Special assistance Request wheelchairs and other help in advance.

Air Arabia Baggage Allowance

Every fare includes 10 kg of cabin baggage: a carry-on of up to 7 kg (55 × 40 × 20 cm) and a personal item of up to 3 kg (25 × 33 × 20 cm). Duty-free shopping counts towards the 10 kg.

Basic fares don't include a checked bag. Value usually includes 20–30 kg and Ultimate 30–40 kg, depending on the route. Each checked bag can weigh up to 32 kg.

  • Cabin baggage (all fares) 10 kg in total.
  • Carry-on Up to 7 kg, 55 × 40 × 20 cm.
  • Personal item Up to 3 kg, 25 × 33 × 20 cm.
  • Basic No checked bag.
  • Value Usually 20–30 kg checked.
  • Ultimate Usually 30–40 kg checked.
  • Per bag Up to 32 kg.
  • Extra baggage Bought online, it can cost up to 90% less than at the airport.
  • Oversize cabin bag at the gate About AED 100.

Airewards: Air Arabia Loyalty Programme

Airewards is the airline's loyalty programme. Members earn points worth about 5% of the fare paid on every booking.

Points can be spent on flights, seats, meals and extra baggage.

  • Programme Airewards.
  • Earn About 5% of the fare paid, on every fare type.
  • Redeem Flights and add-ons such as seats and bags.
Join or log in on the Air Arabia website

Air Arabia: Frequently Asked Questions

01What are Air Arabia’s IATA and ICAO codes?

The airline's two-character IATA code is G9. It appears in flight numbers (for example G9 101), on tickets and on airport departure boards. Its three-letter ICAO code is ABY, which air traffic control and flight-tracking services use to identify the airline.

02Which airline alliance is Air Arabia part of?

It is not a member of a global airline alliance, although it may still have codeshare or interline agreements with individual airlines.

03When was Air Arabia founded?

The airline was founded in 2003.

04What are Air Arabia’s main hubs?

Its main hubs and focus cities are: Sharjah (SHJ) – Main Hub; Abu Dhabi (AUH) – Hub; Casablanca (CMN) – Hub; Cairo (CAI) – Base.

05What is Air Arabia’s frequent flyer programme called?

The frequent flyer programme is called Airewards. Members earn points or miles on eligible flights and can redeem them for award tickets, upgrades and other benefits.

06What is Air Arabia's cabin baggage allowance?

Every fare includes 10 kg: a 7 kg carry-on (55 × 40 × 20 cm) and a 3 kg personal item (25 × 33 × 20 cm).

07Does Air Arabia include checked baggage?

Basic fares don't. Value usually includes 20–30 kg and Ultimate 30–40 kg, depending on the route.

08Can I use a power bank on Air Arabia?

No. You cannot charge devices from a power bank or recharge it on board. Power banks up to 100 Wh are allowed in cabin baggage only, switched off.

09Where is Air Arabia based?

Its main hub is Sharjah International Airport (SHJ), about 15 km from Dubai, with group airlines based in Abu Dhabi, Casablanca and Egypt.

Air Arabia, its logo and trademarks are the property of Air Arabia PJSC and are used for identification and informational purposes only. FlightSelects is not affiliated with or endorsed by Air Arabia unless expressly stated. FlightSelects may earn a commission when you book through partner links, at no extra cost to you.