Middle East Airspace Diversions/Cancellations

[I love to travel]

My flights with Virgin/QR are on 15 March:
PER–DOH–VIE.
Half paid with Velocity points and half with cash. Also SYD–PER with Jetstar, paid in cash.
I'm not sure what to do.
Would Virgin refund all my points and taxes if I cancel? And what about Jetstar, even though that flight is not affected?
Yes, I know the best option is to ask Virgin directly — I'm just asking more experienced travellers what the usual practice is.

Too early to tell at this stage for VA/QR flight, Jetstar - you are on your own there, if it comes to it, ask nicely and they may turn it into a credit given the circumstances. Then again, if we are still here in 15 days time, who knows how airlines will deploy planes. So wait and see for now

 

[Coops1]

Then again, if we are still here in 15 days time, who knows how airlines will deploy planes. So wait and see for now

If we are still here in 15 days we will likely have a lot more than cancellations to worry about!

 

[JessicaTam]

[mod hat]
This is a difficult time with friends and family affected, flights disrupted, and ongoing uncertainty.

Please remember to be civil to each other.

Also avoid any commentary that may be considered political, as the mod team will take a zero-tolerance approach.
[/mod hat]

 

[MEL_Traveller]

No that wasnt the point at all. The point was safety, flying over or being diverted to a country at war and on the do not travel list is riskier than flying over an ally with no insurance issues.

That’s a good point, I hadn’t realised Russia as a whole was now ‘do not travel’. But it raises a good point as it would equally apply Afghanistan, etc. which remain ‘do not travel’.

 

[Seat0B]

There is what I imagine is a relatively easy back up, due to the small size of the UAE: they could hire a car and driver (one way transfer) to Oman and fly out of there.

Worst case, could even get a transfer to KSA and fly out of there (say out of DMM).

Best of luck for the current situation and travel plans over the next few weeks.

Thanks @Scarlett. They are already making plans along those lines. As long as Oman stays open…. KSA is very long trip but they might need to do it.

 

[Amanad78]

My neighbours were on the BNE-DOH flight that was turned around. They are back in BNE, hoping to fly with SG on Thursday. Will miss family visit in Oslo and just go to UK. Full QR refund but will still cost them more.

Other friends due to fly BNE-DXB-ATH on Emirates 2 March (classic reward), then back on QR via Doha (Velocity reward) 6 weeks later. Not sure how that's all going to go. . .

Meanwhile, we're in UK flying back in a couple of weeks CDG-HEL-SIN on OWA Finn Air, then SIN-BNE on Velocity Reward Singapore Airlines.
Happy to be avoiding the Middle East!

 

[DMar86]

I work for a particularly risk-averse organisation, so have just received word that all work-related outbound international travel is suspended for the next 10 days. No new bookings to any international destination during this period.

 

[henrus]

I work for a particularly risk-averse organisation, so have just received word that all work-related outbound international travel is suspended for the next 10 days. No new bookings to any international destination during this period.

Wild if that captures NZ?

My work preferences EK/QF/SQ between Australia and Europe... I can see this changing on Monday.

 

[RSD]

When you get refused entry/deported you get sent back to the point of origin… not forwarded on to your final destination.

Not always true if you are refused entry to the U.S. - friend of mine was refused recently in Miami coming from LHR and was deported on the next available flight - which happened to be to Lima.

 

[Drakecula]

Sort of off topic, but related since I'm having to sort alternative flights due to the Middle East issue, do you need a US ESTA if you're transiting through a US airport?

 

[RSD]

Sort of off topic, but related since I'm having to sort alternative flights due to the Middle East issue, do you need a US ESTA if you're transiting through a US airport?

I believe so.

 

[JessicaTam]

Sort of off topic, but related since I'm having to sort alternative flights due to the Middle East issue, do you need a US ESTA if you're transiting through a US airport?

Yes.

 

[IrishPete]

Undated Facebook advertising suddenly becoming very dated...

 

[Drakecula]

Cheers - I will add that to my to do list.

 

[Tiki]

My flights with Virgin/QR are on 15 March:
PER–DOH–VIE.
Half paid with Velocity points and half with cash. Also SYD–PER with Jetstar, paid in cash.
I'm not sure what to do.
Would Virgin refund all my points and taxes if I cancel? And what about Jetstar, even though that flight is not affected?
Yes, I know the best option is to ask Virgin directly — I'm just asking more experienced travellers what the usual practice is.

I called them and got my SAW-DOH-BNE flight cancelled with all points and taxes refunded and no fees. I pointed out that Qatar has a Do Not Travel warning from the Australian govt and asked to speak to a supervisor. The rep put me on hold, presumable consulted the supervisor and waived the fees. I was lucky and had enough points to book IST-SIN-BNE on SQ with Velocity first to be sure I was still getting home. Points refund was instant, taxes take a few days.

 

[JohnM]

Sort of off topic, but related since I'm having to sort alternative flights due to the Middle East issue, do you need a US ESTA if you're transiting through a US airport?

Yes. My understanding is that there is no such things a a 'transit'(as usually understood) through a US airport. One reason, at least is that they mix INT and DOM pax pretty much everywhere.

 

[JanP]

I called them and got my SAW-DOH-BNE flight cancelled with all points and taxes refunded and no fees. I pointed out that Qatar has a Do Not Travel warning from the Australian govt and asked to speak to a supervisor. The rep put me on hold, presumable consulted the supervisor and waived the fees. I was lucky and had enough points to book IST-SIN-BNE on SQ with Velocity first to be sure I was still getting home. Points refund was instant, taxes take a few days.

Thanks a lot, I appreciate your help.

 

[Rembrandt]

I’m heading to Europe in six weeks and have booked Qatar Airways flights using Velocity points. I did my best to find routes to the parts of Europe I’m visiting that didn’t involve transiting through the Middle East, but it just wasn’t possible. Singapore Airlines doesn’t serve many Central and Eastern European destinations, and reward seat availability with them has become increasingly difficult to find.

Surely Middle Eastern airlines can’t suspend flights for weeks on end without serious financial consequences. Still, the fragile and often unpredictable nature of the region makes me a little uneasy about flying through it.

 

[RooFlyer]

Surely Middle Eastern airlines can’t suspend flights for weeks on end without serious financial consequences. Still, the fragile and often unpredictable nature of the region makes me a little uneasy about flying through it.

I'm booked to go through Doha in 4 weeks, and I'm relaxed. 6 weeks should be fine for you. If the war goes on for more than 2 weeks I'll be amazed but if it does, then I might start asking my travel agent for options. After the war, the ME should be safer than for many years.

 

[Quickstatus]

Singapore Airlines doesn’t serve many Central and Eastern European destinations, and reward seat availability with them has become increasingly difficult to find.

No. but SQ will get you to to several destinations in europe. From there its just as easy getting intra Europe flights with a variety of airlines , or RAIL