flydubai's Riga, Salzburg and Vilnius flights: December guide

flydubai has published December 2026 dates for direct flights between Dubai and three European cities. Riga service is due to return on December 11, followed by Salzburg and Vilnius on December 12. Each route is scheduled three times a week from Dubai International Airport Terminal 3.

These are winter-schedule returns, not first-ever launches. flydubai inaugurated Riga and Vilnius flights in December 2025, while Salzburg Airport reported that its Dubai service resumed in June 2026 after a temporary suspension. The airline's new announcement is the useful source for the coming December pattern, but travelers should still confirm their exact date before paying for separate hotels, trains or ski transfers.

Original AI-generated editorial image created for OpenSim. The aircraft, airport lounge and combined cityscape are generic and do not depict a specific flydubai flight, airport or inaugural service.

The practical answer: Riga is scheduled for Tuesdays, Fridays and Saturdays. Salzburg and Vilnius are scheduled for Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays. All three use Dubai Terminal 3, but a published pattern is not a guarantee that every date will operate unchanged. Check the issued booking and flydubai's live flight status before travel.

Route status checked on November 11, 2026: flydubai says all three routes are available to book. None of the December departures covered here had operated at the time of this review.

December dates, days and flight numbers

flydubai's November 10 announcement gives the following winter schedule:

The airline has not presented these as daily routes. That matters when pairing a flight with a fixed hotel check-in, rail ticket or ski transfer: a missed Saturday departure may not have a same-airline replacement the next day.

Use the airline's timetable and the flight number on the issued ticket for local departure and arrival times. The announcement confirms the weekly pattern but does not publish a full dated timetable in the release.

Why this is a return, not a first launch

The wording around these services can be confusing. flydubai's latest release says the flights will "commence" in December. Its own earlier records show Riga and Vilnius started in December 2025, and Salzburg Airport says Dubai flights were operating again from June 27, 2026 after a temporary suspension.

For a traveler, the distinction is simple: use December 11 and 12 as the start of the newly announced winter pattern, not as proof of a route's first flight ever. The routes are on sale, but their December return will only be confirmed as operated after the flights depart.

All three Dubai departures use Terminal 3

The December announcement places Riga, Salzburg and Vilnius flights at Terminal 3 at Dubai International (DXB). Check the booking again on the day because flydubai also operates other routes from Terminal 2.

flydubai's current check-in guidance says online check-in runs from 48 hours until 75 minutes before departure. It tells passengers to arrive at least three hours before departure; airport check-in closes 60 minutes before departure and gates close 25 minutes before departure. Some passengers may still need document verification and a printed boarding pass at the desk after online check-in.

Do not use "flydubai equals Terminal 2" as a shortcut. For these three routes, the airline's published terminal is Terminal 3.

Emirates connections: one ticket is the important boundary

flydubai says the routes operate under its Emirates codeshare and that eligible journeys can be issued on one ticket with baggage checked through to the final destination. Emirates' flydubai partnership guide also describes through baggage and connecting boarding-pass arrangements for joint itineraries.

That protection should not be assumed for two reservations bought separately. Dubai Airports says passengers connecting on separate tickets may need to clear passport control, collect bags and check in again. Before buying, confirm whether the complete journey appears under one booking reference and whether the first check-in desk can tag the bag to RIX, SZG or VNO.

If the itinerary is on one ticket, verify the final airport code on the bag receipt. If it is on separate tickets, check UAE entry eligibility and leave enough time for immigration, baggage collection and another check-in.

Cabin and checked baggage depend on the fare

flydubai's current baggage guidance says Economy passengers may carry one cabin bag up to 7 kg and 55 by 38 by 20 cm. A qualifying small personal item is also allowed within the airline's stated dimensions.

Economy Lite includes no checked-baggage allowance. Value currently includes 20 kg, Flex 30 kg and Business 40 kg, but the purchased ticket controls. Ski equipment, large winter bags and codeshare allowances need a specific check before payment rather than an assumption based on cabin class alone.

Plan the arrival from each airport

The three airports have different ground-transport choices:

• Riga: Riga Airport's public transport page lists bus 22 between the airport and the city, including stops near the Old City, Central Bus Station and Central Railway Station. Check the current timetable and ticket method before landing.
• Salzburg: Salzburg Airport says bus 2 links the airport with the main station in about 23 minutes, while bus 10 serves the city centre from Monday to Saturday in about 15 minutes. Regional ski journeys usually need another bus, train or prearranged transfer.
• Vilnius: Vilnius Airport lists buses 1, 2, 3G, 88 and overnight 88N on its public transport page. Its airport train guide says the railway stop is a short walk from arrivals and the trip to Vilnius station takes up to eight minutes. Check live operating hours because the train is not an all-night service.

Save the hotel address and first transfer offline. Winter weather, a late arrival or a changed timetable can remove the option that looked easiest when the flight was booked.

Entry checks belong to the traveler, not the route

Latvia, Austria and Lithuania are in the Schengen area, but admission rules depend on the traveler's passport, residence status, trip length and travel date. A UAE residence card does not by itself settle entry eligibility for every nationality.

Check the destination government's current immigration guidance and the official advice for the passport used to travel. Complete any required visa or travel authorization before departure. The airline can deny boarding when documents are missing even if the flight itself is operating.

Mobile data for one city or a multi-country trip

OpenSim's live catalog listed country plans for Latvia, Austria and Lithuania when checked on November 11. A single-country plan is the direct choice for a trip that stays in one destination.

The current Europe eSIM coverage list includes all three countries. That can be simpler for an itinerary combining Riga, Salzburg and Vilnius, but compare its allowance, validity and price with the country plans before checkout. Coverage is determined by the selected package's published country list, not by the word "Europe" alone.

The reviewed plans included fixed-data and daily-data options, and the available packages were marked as eligible for top-up at the time of checking. Confirm the exact card because availability and reloadability can change. Daily plans use the high-speed allowance and reduced-speed terms shown on the card; fixed plans draw from one total allowance.

Install on reliable Wi-Fi and keep the setup instructions offline. An eSIM supplies mobile data on supported ground networks. It does not provide inflight Wi-Fi, guarantee an airport transfer, change app availability or replace entry documents.

Ten questions about the December flydubai flights

When do the Riga, Salzburg and Vilnius flights start?

flydubai's announced winter pattern starts with Riga on December 11, 2026. Salzburg and Vilnius follow on December 12. Recheck the exact booked date before departure.

Are these completely new flydubai routes?

No. Riga and Vilnius operated from December 2025, and Salzburg Airport reported Dubai service in 2026. The new announcement sets a December winter pattern rather than three first-ever launches.

Which days does flydubai fly from Dubai to Riga?

The announced Riga pattern is Tuesday, Friday and Saturday, three times weekly.

Which days does flydubai fly to Salzburg and Vilnius?

Both are announced for Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday, three times weekly.

Which flight numbers identify the three routes?

Riga uses FZ 1441 and FZ 1442, Salzburg FZ 1449 and FZ 1450, and Vilnius FZ 1263 and FZ 1264. Use the issued ticket if a later schedule change assigns something different.

Which Dubai terminal do the flights use?

flydubai places all three at Dubai International Terminal 3. Confirm again in the booking and live flight status on the travel date.

Will Emirates check my baggage through to the destination?

It can on an eligible one-ticket Emirates-flydubai itinerary. Confirm the final airport code on the bag tag. Separate tickets may require UAE entry, baggage collection and another check-in.

Does Economy Lite include a checked bag?

No. flydubai's current rules give Economy Lite cabin baggage but no checked allowance. Other fares include different checked weights, so read the ticket before adding winter or ski equipment.

How early should I arrive at Dubai Terminal 3?

flydubai currently recommends at least three hours. Its airport check-in closes 60 minutes before departure and gates close 25 minutes before departure.

Which eSIM works across Riga, Salzburg and Vilnius?

The reviewed OpenSim Europe plan lists Latvia, Austria and Lithuania in its coverage. Compare that regional option with a country plan if the trip stays in only one destination, and recheck the selected package before checkout.

Final checks for this three-city winter schedule

• Match the date to the route's three-day weekly pattern.
• Confirm RIX, SZG or VNO on the booking rather than relying on the city name alone.
• Recheck Terminal 3 and the flight number on the day.
• Keep Emirates and flydubai sectors on one ticket when through protection matters.
• Read the purchased fare's cabin, checked and sports-equipment allowance.
• Verify passport-specific entry requirements through official authorities.
• Check the live airport bus, train or transfer timetable.
• Leave recovery time around fixed trains, ski transfers and non-refundable hotels.
• Save the booking, hotel address and first-transfer plan offline.
• Install any eSIM over reliable Wi-Fi before it is needed.

Sources and updates

flydubai's November 10 release controls the announced December dates, days, flight numbers, Terminal 3 and booking status. Earlier flydubai and Salzburg Airport records establish that these are returning services rather than first-ever launches. flydubai, Emirates and Dubai Airports control current check-in, baggage and connection guidance, while each arrival airport controls its ground-transport information.

Review this guide if flydubai changes a start date, operating day, flight number, terminal, route status, check-in or baggage rule. Travelers should use the issued booking, live flight status and passport-specific official entry guidance for the final decision.