Budget carrier Air Arabia is preparing to launch a new twice-daily service linking London Gatwick directly with Sharjah in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). The new route represents a leap forward for accessible long-haul travel, offering a flight time of less than eight hours – specifically, an estimated seven hours and 50 minutes. 

This upcoming flight will establish the UK’s only non-stop connection to Sharjah, the third-largest emirate in the UAE. For Air Arabia itself, the connection from London will constitute the longest route in its network originating from the United Kingdom. It comes as connectivity demand to the Middle East from London Gatwick has increased 22.7% in passenger numbers this summer.

The flight will start on March 29, 2026, operating on Airbus A321LR aircraft. It will increase the total weekly flights between London Gatwick and the Middle East to 80. 

Jonathan Pollard, Chief Commercial Officer, London Gatwick, said: “Demand for flights to destinations across the Middle East has really taken off this year and we have been delighted to offer passengers across London and the South East an increasingly fantastic range of routes and choice of carriers.

“It is an exciting time for another operator to join London Gatwick following the recent government approval for routine use of our Northern Runway and we look forward to welcoming Air Arabia in March, serving the historic city of Sharjah and the wider Middle Eastern region.”

For passengers who prefer to enjoy an alcoholic beverage to ease their flying anxieties or fall asleep, there is an important detail about the new service: Air Arabia operates as a “dry” airline.

This means the carrier adheres to a strict no-alcohol policy, and no alcoholic drinks are served or permitted aboard any of its flights. This policy aligns with the cultural values and legal frameworks of the UAE and other primary destinations served by Air Arabia.