Emirates Flight Transiting Through Dubai

Clueless12345

I have a flight only booked direct with Emirates from Manchester to Kuala Lumpur transmitting through Dubai on the 23rd Mar, FCDO states all but essential travel to UAE, if Emirates still go ahead with the flight but FCDO still state all but essential travel are Emirates obligated to give a refund. If I cancel now I can get a refund or should I wait to see what happens would I risk losing my money if FCDO advice doesn’t change but the flight goes ahead.

Grumpy_chap

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/6658846/emirates-flight-transiting-through-dubai

Is the purpose of your trip to Kuala Lumpur essential?

If so, is it essential that you take a route via Middle East?

Clueless12345

No, the trip is not essential, but the Emirates flight is via Dubai.
If I cancel now, which is an option with Emirates at this time, I will lose money on internal flights, etc. booked in Malaysia. However, if Emirates cancel the flights I will be able to claim the cost of the internal flights.
What I need to know is if the FCDO say only essential travel, do Emirates have to give a refund based on the travel advice, as they are not a UK or EU airline?

user1977

I'm not sure they'd have to give a refund even if they were a UK or EU airline?

Clueless12345

I wonder where we stand if FCDO advise not to travel and a flight is still taking off as I don’t think insurance will cover it?

Westin

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/81916144#Comment_81916144

No, I am afraid they don’t.

If they cancel the flight then of course there is an obligation for them to refund.

If you had a package holiday to UAE then a tour operator would take note of the FCDO advice and either cancel your trip of provide alternative options.

MyRealNameToo

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/6658846/emirates-flight-transiting-through-dubai

Presumably you have travel insurance? If you do then you should be speaking to them. The FOS is fairly consistent in saying that if the FCDO advise against all but essential travel then the insurer should cover a claim given they won't provide cover if you travel against FCDO advice.

If you dont have insurance now you are too late to buy it for covering for this issue

Grumpy_chap

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/81916816#Comment_81916816

I would have thought that, from an insurer's perspective, in the case of a leisure (non-essential) trip and risk of disruption by conflict, a full trip cancellation in advance might very well be favourable to an individual travelling and potential open-ended delay or re-route.

The cancel in advance has the opportunity for costs mitigation (if the traveller can claim refunds) and the certainty as to the total claim value. The travel and get caught up in conflict zone, or delayed / re-route return leaves the insurer exposed to an open-ended liability that cannot be so certainly quantified at the outset.

MyRealNameToo

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/81916940#Comment_81916940

Its certainly one option, I believe one seller has now stated that they will waive the FDCO clause for those transiting via UAE but I didnt pay enough attention to see if that was only applying to those already overseas or those that havent left yet.

heatherw_01

Make sure to check out this MSE post too https://www.moneysavingexpert.com/news/2026/03/middle-east-conflict-travel-rights/