Middle East Airspace Diversions/Cancellations

[LionKing]

Looking at various forums today it seems confirmed that QR *is* rerouting passengers once their flights are officially cancelled.

There are two avenues here. If cancelled within 10 days of departure, you can call and get a re-route on their Tier 1 partners (including some oneworld partners). Once you get within the 48 hour window, they are re-routing regardless of tier 1 (so any available).

This applies to the entire QR network, not just flights leaving the EU.

There is of course then a third option, with is departures ex EU, which probably comes with stronger protections than the ‘within-48-hours’ policy above.

Also reports emerging that some airlines are no longer participating in the QR re-routes, and are restricting sales of seats to direct bookings only. I’m guessing there is some sort of special IATA pricing for re-reroutes which airlines are now trying to circumvent?

So it seems even if you have a flight ex AU, once it’s officially cancelled, get on to QR for your re-route. A post on Reddit confirmed a QR booking for ADL-DOH-FCO was re-routed ADL-SYD-PEK-FCO on Air China.

That’s still not going to apply to VA flights to DOH

With all the information provided, may I say it maybe more economical to book QR direct then wait for cancellations?

 

[MEL_Traveller]

With all the information provided, may I say it maybe more economical to book QR direct then wait for cancellations?

Yes, but I’ve read in a couple places that priority is being given to pax who booked before 28 Feb (or whatever the start date was).

Don’t know how that will play out, but it might be that options q’re restricted for those buying tickets now? Who knows.

 

[LionKing]

Yes, but I’ve read in a couple places that priority is being given to pax who booked before 28 Feb (or whatever the start date was).

Don’t know how that will play out, but it might be that options q’re restricted for those buying tickets now? Who knows.

May need somebody who bought recent tikcets to find out.

 

[FlyingFiona]

So it seems even if you have a flight ex AU, once it’s officially cancelled, get on to QR for your re-route. A post on Reddit confirmed a QR booking for ADL-DOH-FCO was re-routed ADL-SYD-PEK-FCO on Air China.

I have a paid flight booked directly with QR in J for 12 April ex CGK (after arriving in on 11 April from MEL on QF, rewards booking). Could I assume the rerouting option will be equally open to that flight as ex-AU (if that arrangement is still in place at that time...)?

 

[MEL_Traveller]

I have a paid flight booked directly with QR in J for 12 April ex CGK (after arriving in on 11 April from MEL on QF, rewards booking). Could I assume the rerouting option will be equally open to that flight as ex-AU (if that arrangement is still in place at that time...)?

I think so?

It’s under their JWC (journey with care) policy… which comes into effect once your flight is cancelled. You have to do a bit of digging on their website because the two most prominent options are to either reschedule on a later date, or get a refund.

The major problem is going to be getting a hold of qatar… using chat can require dozens of connect/disconnet/reconnet attempts (as someone posted up-thread). Calling is the same… you might need to try dozens of times just to get into the queue.

But once you connect, and clearly state your intentions (you want a reroute), theyn*seem* to be coming to the party.

It’s a bit confusing as to how early JWC comes in… some people are saying only 10 days prior to departure… not sure if that matches when QR officially cancels flights? it’s worth trying as soon as you find out the flight is cancelled.

 

[RooFlyer]

WRT QR and re-routing ... I'll be asking my travel agent on Monday on what's happening there and get them to book accordingly (beats waiting on the phone for hours!).

Although for me, travelling in a week, with only a couple of days lee-way before I join a cruise*, plus an award flight MEL-SIN before I join the QR ticket, I suspect the re-routing options available won't work that well.

* I usually put 3-4 days padding up front but had a commitment in Oz beforehand this time.

 

[MEL_Traveller]

WRT QR and re-routing ... I'll be asking my travel agent on Monday on what's happening there and get them to book accordingly (beats waiting on the phone for hours!).

Although for me, travelling in a week, with only a couple of days lee-way before I join a cruise*, plus an award flight MEL-SIN before I join the QR ticket, I suspect the re-routing options available won't work that well.

* I usually put 3-4 days padding up front but had a commitment in Oz beforehand this time.

Your flight is cancelled?

From what i understand there’s two tiers…

- rebooking window up to 10 days from original departure date: selection of OW carriers
- rebooking window up to 2 days only: much wider selection of interline partners.

https://www.qatarairways.com/tradeportal/en/Help/JWC-COMM157-FAQs.html

 

[TheRealTMA]

WRT QR and re-routing ... I'll be asking my travel agent on Monday on what's happening there and get them to book accordingly (beats waiting on the phone for hours!).

Although for me, travelling in a week, with only a couple of days lee-way before I join a cruise*, plus an award flight MEL-SIN before I join the QR ticket, I suspect the re-routing options available won't work that well.

* I usually put 3-4 days padding up front but had a commitment in Oz beforehand this time.

Buona Fortuna!

 

[RooFlyer]

Your flight is cancelled?

Its just fallen within their new extended window; will be talking to my TA on Monday whether its actually been cancelled (I could have called the agency's 24/7 line to get things going now, but decided to wait for my own TA). If there are the 2 tiers, then I can afford to wait until the 2 day one, as my TK ticket is completely refundable.

The only wrinkle might be that the TA books me under a corporate deal they have with QR (tix a bit cheaper); but that relationship may be a benefit too. Uncharted waters.

 

[MEL_Traveller]

Its just fallen within their new extended window; will be talking to my TA on Monday whether its actually been cancelled (I could have called the agency's 24/7 line to get things going now, but decided to wait for my own TA). If there are the 2 tiers, then I can afford to wait until the 2 day one, as my TK ticket is completely refundable.

The only wrinkle might be that the TA books me under a corporate deal they have with QR (tix a bit cheaper); but that relationship may be a benefit too. Uncharted waters.

It’s easy to check if the flight has been cancelled. You can find that out on line.

The only snag with waiting until 2 days might be the limited number of seats. Looking at google flights it’s often the case that 2-3 days forward has much better availability than same day.

The TA can do the rebooking hiwever, which is a huge advantage. If there’s any doubt you have the link to send them, that outlines who and how to re-route.

 

[clifford]

I have a trip to Europe, booked several months ago, for May.

On the way back I had booked ATH (A3)-DXB (UL) -KUL, as I am staying in Greece and it seemed to be the most cost-effective option, A3 (Y) and UL (J). However, under the present circumstances, DXB may not even be open to foreign carriers, so really I have had to make some significant changes to rescue the trip.

So I have now booked BA in PE ATH-LHR-KUL r/t (as I'm going back in September) for EUR 1261 (refundable with a small deduction), and will cancel the A3/UL booking in due course, hopefully for a full refund. The BA ticket also replaces and allows me to cancel a QF reward ticket in business on WY, BKK-LHR, so all in all not too bad an outcome I think.

 

[Brissy1]

Its just fallen within their new extended window; will be talking to my TA on Monday whether its actually been cancelled (I could have called the agency's 24/7 line to get things going now, but decided to wait for my own TA). If there are the 2 tiers, then I can afford to wait until the 2 day one, as my TK ticket is completely refundable.

The only wrinkle might be that the TA books me under a corporate deal they have with QR (tix a bit cheaper); but that relationship may be a benefit too. Uncharted waters.

I'm following your exploits rooflyer as I've also got a cruise (ex Athens in May) and have booked fully refundable TK as backup (to EY)

 

[AIRwin]

I'm following your exploits rooflyer as I've also got a cruise (ex Athens in May) and have booked fully refundable TK as backup (to EY)

My friend is booked on and flying EY tonight from SYD

 

[Brissy1]

My friend is booked on and flying EY tonight from SYD

That would be a hard decision for me... the small risk of getting stuck in Abu Dhabi and missing a Mediterranean cruise (I presume no insurance would cover that, although I've activated 3 cr card policies)

 

[MEL_Traveller]

That would be a hard decision for me... the small risk of getting stuck in Abu Dhabi and missing a Mediterranean cruise (I presume no insurance would cover that, although I've activated 3 cr card policies)

Correct. Unless you have specific insurance that covers war.