Middle East Airspace Diversions/Cancellations

[N860CR]

Interestingly… QR had extended their “limited schedule” until mid April, but have done a reverse course and now it’s only until 28 March again. There has been no missile activity for quite a few days now.

The intense thunderstorms in Doha (I just about had my bbq launch of the balcony tonight…. The one I’ve been told not to use ) and almost bizarre tornado warning for tomorrow seem far more threatening at the moment!

 

[RooFlyer]

Well this is perhaps an example of where a TA isn’t necessarily the best option - strange as they may seem. It’s the job of the travel agent to understand and rebook correctly. It’s. It that difficult to read the policy?

Condescending, much? Well, you do your thing and I'll do mine.

 

[MEL_Traveller]

Condescending, much? Well, you do your thing and I'll do mine.

if some agents are getting the rebooking wrong, and getting billed full fare, it’s understandable they may be reluctant to re-route in case they get it wrong. Or they may not be willing to explore all options, in case they get it wrong. Some may be exercising caution.

And they're not getting additional income from this rebooking process, so it’s potential loss for no gain.

Direct booking with QR means pax can use the QR call centre to rebook and agents aren’t going to be worried about getting it wrong. So more options might be available.

So it may the a case in some instances where direct booking - despite difficulties getting through to QR - has its advantages?

 

[Rembrandt]

I recently cancelled my inbound flights to Europe booked with QR via VFF after arranging an alternative route. I processed the cancellation online, but I haven’t yet received the points back into my VFF account.

Could you please advise how long this typically takes? I understand the quoted time frame is up to 21 days, but I’m hoping it may be sooner. Is there any way to expedite the process if I contact support?

Thanks you.

 

[Brissy1]

I'd love to be able to cancel/refund my Y non-refundable EY flights in May. And rebook same flights, in J; as per another thread bargain priced (and of course Y prices also lower). TK is my refundable backup.
Adding... never waste a crisis

 

[AIRwin]

I'd love to be able to cancel/refund my Y non-refundable EY flights in May.

No change fees to bring forward and then cancel?

 

[MEL_Traveller]

No change fees to bring forward and then cancel?

This is what some people are doing with QR! Their current flights are outside the re-route window… so theyre buying an award within the window, taking advantage of the re-route. And then cancel the original FOC!

 

[Brissy1]

No change fees to bring forward and then cancel?

Clever, but not changeable (bought the cheapest as no way I wanted to change, outside insurable events...didn't expect a war that side of the Straits)
Edit actually I didn't buy the cheapest, checking now
Yes! Free to change.

 

[SYD]

QR have extended the free cancellation or free change window for travel up to 15 June!

https://www.qatarairways.com/en-ae/rebooking-options.html

 

[justinbrett]

QF adding services to Europe at the expense of BNE/LAX

Post in thread 'Qantas BNE-LAX direct flights have disappeared in July ??'
Qantas BNE-LAX direct flights have disappeared in July ??

 

[Aeryn]

QF adding services to Europe at the expense of BNE/LAX

Makes perfect sense given there is already a heap of capacity to USA (QF, AA, UA, Delta, HA even NZ) and much much more profit to be made to EU given the mess that is transiting the ME right now.

US demand is down somewhat so I'm sure the BNE -LAX passengers can be accommodated via the spare capacity on flights out of SYD or MEL.

Main downside is that ex-BNE J awards have always been easier to come by than ex-SYD or ex-MEL IME.

 

[justinbrett]

THE ME dont need to be profitable, they are state owned and oil funded.


Makes perfect sense given there is already a heap of capacity to USA (QF, AA, UA, Delta, HA even NZ) and much much more profit to be made to EU given the mess that is transiting the ME right now.

US demand is down somewhat so Im sure the BNE -LAX passengers can be accommodated via the spare capacity on flights out of SYD or MEL.

Main downside is that ex-BNE J awards have always been easier to come by than ex-SYD or ex-MEL IME.

It’s only until end of July at this stage

 

[MELso]

Have (temporarily) pulled the plug on my European trip after Qantas sent through a reschedule notice for my flight on QF34 in June (enabling me to cancel the EK leg to BCN too in mid-May). Will look to rebook for October/November instead when things have (hopefully) settled down a bit.

It was rescheduled to incorporate a fuel stop in SIN, becoming QF234 in the process. FWIW, new timings for my flight on 11 June were 09.15-16.00+1 CDG-SIN-SYD (no stop in PER). Then a hop from SYD to MEL.

Despite the relatively minor time change, I decided to use the schedule change to pull the plug on the whole trip (including backup flights) because my dad and his partner were both uncomfortable (which is totally fair enough in the current climate).

 

[AuSammy]

Until October

https://loyaltylobby.com/2026/03/26/lufthansa-group-airlines-suspend-most-middle-east-destinations-until-october-24-2026/

 

[Cossie]

Getting close for us to decide on our trip to Europe at the end of June. Jakarta to Frankfurt via Doha.

As a good part of it was going to be a road trip, I shudder to think what fuel will cost.

We have friends from NZ going to France in April via Singapore. They are happy to still be doing this, however as they are renting a canal boat near Dijon, they could just moor it somewhere if fuel becomes prohibitive.

I think we will still go to Jakarta and look at doing something in South East Asia. I have cancelled much of our road trip to Victoria next month, things are just too uncertain.

 

[shannan94]

Qatar Airways have released an updated schedule until 15 April 2026 with Sydney added to the list of Australian destinations.