What is the risk of booking a connecting flight through the UAE?
Posted by HO03MAT@reddit | AskUK | View on Reddit | 24 comments
My wife and I are looking to book flights from London to Bali. By far the best options are with the UAE carriers via Abu Dhabi or Dubai, these are also the cheapest options. What is the risk at the moment with booking these flights? Ultimately is it that the situation in the middle east worsens and all flights in and out of the UAE get cancelled? I understand in that case that we would be entitled to a refund as we could try and book alternative flights if this happened. What else is the risk?
sennalvera@reddit
None of us can predict the future. The ceasefire does not seem particularly stable. On the other hand, UAE is one country that won't be running out of oil for jet fuel.
Be aware that travel insurance almost always has a clause excluding war. However if the flight is with Emirates I believe they are offering refunds on cancelled flights. You could check with them.
SlickPillock@reddit
I think you already know what the other risks, or (rather), risk is. In my opinion it will be safe enough. Probably no more risky than climbing Snowdon. But it's up to you if you're happy with the risk or not.
SmoothArea1206@reddit
As things stand aviation fuel is the most at risk given the current conflict in Iran.
A number of short haul specialists like EasyJet and Aer Lingus are stating openly that short haul flights will likely be cancelled at short notice and will likely cause a number of routes to be "paused" until the situation is rectified.
I would assume this will slowly impact long distance flights too as it comes to the crunch in 4 -6 weeks.
The longer the conflict continues the longer the problems will go on and this will impact what airlines are willing to do to get folk home.
Personally I wouldnt be travelling long haul as things stand.
queljest456@reddit
There's a non zero chance that this will invalidate your travel insurance
epicmindwarp@reddit
Flight cancellations are the biggest risk.
bureaucrat_chaos@reddit
I’d say a missile hitting your plane is the biggest risk, even if it’s less likely.
epicmindwarp@reddit
Civilian aircraft have not been targeted.
That would set off a much more massive conflict.
bureaucrat_chaos@reddit
Kuwait accidentally shot down US fighters. It’s not just about intention.
epicmindwarp@reddit
Fighter planes air instructed to stay away from civilian aircraft.
Given the current situation, and on balance of probability, a cancellation is much more likely.
An aircraft being hit isn't out of the question though.
SpaceTimeCapsule89@reddit
A couple I know actually flew to Dubai on holiday a few weeks a go and didn't have any issues. What we see on social media and the news is a concentrated segment of everything awful in a few minutes making us think missiles are raining down and flying through the sky every second but the reality is there's probably been very few overall and no one is that worried in the grand scheme of things
ServerLost@reddit
There's a war going on that your insurance won't cover.
fatcakesabz@reddit
Don’t know travel insurance covers war, the carriers certainly won’t refund or rebook for free if it’s a war issue, might be ok might not, you can risk it all to save a few bob or pay the extra for a more certain route. And that’s without considering the mess an s400 would make of a 777
weregonnamakit@reddit
“The risk booking those flights?” Maybe a missile hitting the plane?
Doomergeneration@reddit
Not worth the risk at the moment
helpnxt@reddit
I mean the risks are obvious
Missile Cancellation Think insurance won't cover you Significant delays Landing in the middle east and not being to leave due to air space closure Redirections to anywhere
moneydazza@reddit
Yep, cancellation. Then if you’re forced to buy new flights closer to time of travel they will be very expensive and you’ll be more out of pocket than you would be if you just buy flights now that avoid the region.
InfoLurkerYzza@reddit
You havent mentioned when.
Before the ceasefire, i made the decision to travel to south asia. I had my reasons but luckily all went smooth. Glad i did.
blorgons7@reddit
As someone who has just returned from a trip in the same region as you, you're likely to be fine on the flights as long as they are currently going ahead.
My return leg got cancelled but I was rebooked onto another flight the same day.
But the airline is only gonna refund your flights, you will not be covered by travel insurance for disruption due to war. This is the big financial risk you'd be taking.
Poatri_US@reddit
Try going to a different destination and then to the UK. For example there's direct flights from Bali to Delhi and many direct flights from Delhi to London.
indomitus1@reddit
Cheap for a reason.
BarcodeKiller_47@reddit
my brother came 3 weeks ago through Dubai via emirates. It was safe.
MrReadilyUnready@reddit
There's a sizable chance the flights get cancelled.
Gnosys00110@reddit
It’s a gamble. ain’t gonna lie.
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