Middle East Airspace Diversions/Cancellations

[robolb]

But…don’t Qantas have to find you an alternative flight ?

It’s an EK booking. Nothing to do with Qantas.

 

[AuSammy]

https://loyaltylobby.com/2026/04/23/qatar-airways-brings-dubai-sharjah-damman-restart-forward-delays-los-angeles-other-updates-through-june-16-2026/

 

[tomlee1986]

FWIW, this afternoon I cancelled a paid UL J booking from DXB to KUL for next month

It will cost me money (I've switched to BA LHR-KUL), but I'm not going near the ME for the foreseeable future.

better be safe and also avoid possible delays if stuck in Middle East as well - we wont know how long this war will last

 

[robolb]

Checking my EK booking SYD-MAD via Dubai in a couple of weeks. No longer offering fee fee cancellation.

 

[MEL_Traveller]

Checking my EK booking SYD-MAD via Dubai in a couple of weeks. No longer offering fee fee cancellation.

The policy hasnt changed… you can still request a refund by completing the online form.

Travel updates | Help and Support | Emirates

Find out about the latest travel updates and any flight changes or cancellations. We update this page regularly with the most recent travel updates.

www.emirates.com

It doesn’t look like the option to refund is available online via manage booking, has to be done via the link.

 

[robolb]

The policy hasnt changed… you can still request a refund by completing the online form.

Travel updates | Help and Support | Emirates

Find out about the latest travel updates and any flight changes or cancellations. We update this page regularly with the most recent travel updates.

www.emirates.com

It doesn’t look like the option to refund is available online via manage booking, has to be done via the link.

Yes you're right. Thanks.
It's still there, just not so obvious.

 

[fletty]

We're flying EK SIN to FCO on the 5th June, booked last year. At the moment we have a 17hr layover but looking to change that to a 2-5hr one instead.
Have been hanging out for EK to extend the free change window but not looking too likely that'll happen unfortunately...

 

[fletty]

We're flying EK SIN to FCO on the 5th June, booked last year. At the moment we have a 17hr layover but looking to change that to a 2-5hr one instead.
Have been hanging out for EK to extend the free change window but not looking too likely that'll happen unfortunately...

Ended up cancelling, rebooking with a 2hr layover one way in whY, and then getting 4x J rewards back to Melbourne.

 

[Brissy1]

Ended up cancelling, rebooking with a 2hr layover one way in whY, and then getting 4x J rewards back to Melbourne.

Likewise, cancelled my EY with stopover abu Dhabi and rebooked earliest connecting flight out. No longer my idea of a holiday place.

 

[Seat0B]

Seat Son reports that there have not been any audible missile or drone intercepts in the past 10 days in either Dubai or Abu Dhabi. He also reports that several major chain hotels (I forgot to ask which ones) have closed for “renovations” and from a person in the know that hotel occupancy is running at about 30% in the UAE. There is anxiety about the economy suffering a lack of tourists, especially as it is now coming in to summer which is usually not very popular with tourists.

 

[AuSammy]

https://loyaltylobby.com/2026/04/28/qatar-airways-removes-free-changes-for-tickets-on-or-after-may-1-2026/

 

[kpc]

https://loyaltylobby.com/2026/04/28/qatar-airways-removes-free-changes-for-tickets-on-or-after-may-1-2026/

Well I wouldn't be bookinig QR or EK or EY anytime soon no matter how cheap their prices are. I''m going to Eutope in 7 weeks' time but fortunately had booked Sq

 

[MEL_Traveller]

Well I wouldn't be bookinig QR or EK or EY anytime soon no matter how cheap their prices are. I''m going to Eutope in 7 weeks' time but fortunately had booked Sq

Wouldn’t be booking… why?

All in all the ME3 seemed to have handled the disruption pretty well, accommodating passengers on other airlines to complete their itineraries.

The exception was getting through to the airlines… long wait times. But pax spend tens of hours planning their flights, but don’t want to wait 1-2 hours to get through to an agent?

 

[kpc]

Wouldn’t be booking… why?

I'll let others enjoy the cheaper airfares for now.....

 

[MEL_Traveller]

I'll let others enjoy the cheaper airfares for now.....

And if the ‘do not travel’ is lifted tomorrow?

 

[kpc]

And if the ‘do not travel’ is lifted tomorrow?

I will reconsider then but Ìm sure the fares will have skyrocketed by then. I want to do a 5 Stans tour and flying via the ME is one of the easier (and ?cheaper) ways to get there but am in no rush to go....

 

[Aussie_flyer]

Wouldn’t be booking… why?

All in all the ME3 seemed to have handled the disruption pretty well, accommodating passengers on other airlines to complete their itineraries.

The exception was getting through to the airlines… long wait times. But pax spend tens of hours planning their flights, but don’t want to wait 1-2 hours to get through to an agent?

Etihad was not accommodating passengers on other airlines.

 

[transpactraveller]

Etihad was not accommodating passengers on other airlines.

They are legally required to by EU/UK law if the flight originated in Europe or the UK.

For those of us with tickets departing Australia, our weaker protection means they don't have to.

 

[jasrulz63]

They are legally required to by EU/UK law if the flight originated in Europe or the UK.

For those of us with tickets departing Australia, our weaker protection means they don't have to.

From what I read Etihad and eventually Qatar were just ignoring their EU/UK261 obligations in a fair amount of cases.

 

[MEL_Traveller]

From what I read Etihad and eventually Qatar were just ignoring their EU/UK261 obligations in a fair amount of cases.

I think the problem was Qatar was *attempting* to ignore EU261, but those who persisted were accommodated, as required.

A lot of folk simply assumed - or accepted - that the war = extraordinary circumstances and that they weren’t entitled to anything. I think once QR formally cancelled flights they were re accommodating pax.