Flying through the Middle East now?

[Anonymous]

We are planning trip to an Asian country for a few months from now, to visit family. In the past, we have used Emirates or Qatar and been much happier with the service than when we previously used European carriers. They are also rated higher on almost every criteria. But, now, there is so much going on in the Middle East. There is no direct flight, so we would need to stop in Dubai etc. That is over 1000 miles from Israel, Lebanon (but closer to Iran). Should we fly using Air France, British, etc with a Europe stop? Or am I overthinking this?

[Anonymous]

Over thinking this by a lot.

[Anonymous]

I went to Dubai in January and this was pretty far from my mind. I think it’s pretty easy to avoid any dangerous airspace on this route.

[Anonymous]

Just look at the flight you are thinking of booking and look at its route on Flight Radar. You should be fine, but if the route goes over Israel, Palestine, Lebanon, Syria, Ukraine, Russia, maybe Poland, Iraq, Iran, then you might want to reconsider. Also, you could just connect in London, Paris, Germany, or any other place in Europe. The Middle East airlines are a little nicer, but it’s a long flight to Qatar and Dubai. Connecting in Europe might be preferable, so you can avoid a 12+ hour flight.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Just look at the flight you are thinking of booking and look at its route on Flight Radar. You should be fine, but if the route goes over Israel, Palestine, Lebanon, Syria, Ukraine, Russia, maybe Poland, Iraq, Iran, then you might want to reconsider. Also, you could just connect in London, Paris, Germany, or any other place in Europe. The Middle East airlines are a little nicer, but it’s a long flight to Qatar and Dubai. Connecting in Europe might be preferable, so you can avoid a 12+ hour flight.

Palestine?

[Anonymous]

Dubai owns the middle east. Nothing is ever going to happen there.

[Anonymous]

unless you're flying El Al or have a stopover in Beirut, you'll be perfectly fine.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:unless you're flying El Al or have a stopover in Beirut, you'll be perfectly fine.

You'll be fine on El Al. No airline is more security conscious.

[Anonymous]

Overthinking. Find something else to worry about.

Here is Emirates flight from Dulles to Dubai yesterday:

https://www.flightaware.com/live/flight/UAE232/history/20241002/1505Z/KIAD/OMDB

Note how it makes a little down-leg down near Israel specifically to avoid it. The airlines are not in the business of putting their staff and passengers in danger.

[Anonymous]

This

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Overthinking. Find something else to worry about.

Here is Emirates flight from Dulles to Dubai yesterday:

https://www.flightaware.com/live/flight/UAE232/history/20241002/1505Z/KIAD/OMDB

Note how it makes a little down-leg down near Israel specifically to avoid it. The airlines are not in the business of putting their staff and passengers in danger.

Airlines not in the business of putting passengers at risk? Tell that to those who flew MH17. Unfortunately you can’t.

[suzu]

Anonymous wrote:unless you're flying El Al or have a stopover in Beirut, you'll be perfectly fine.

this

[Anonymous]

OP me too except we already booked tix with that layover Would have never hesitated before but now I am pretty stressed out - it will all be hard to predict.

[Anonymous]

Dubai / Qatar should be fine. So far airlines haven’t seen any disruptions in these major hubs.

[Anonymous]

I’m a pretty neurotic person but Dubai seems pretty far removed from any hostilities. Obviously if the whole Middle East explodes you’d know and wouldn’t travel.