Flying through Dubai contingency plan

[Russ16]

Brother and I are scheduled to fly through Dubai to Zim at the end of July. Going all is sorted by then but considering my options. The way I see it these are the choices:

1. Wait it out and hope it will be ok.
2. Cancel the flight and book a new one through Johannesburg.
3. Book a backup flight on a refundable ticket. If Dubai is clear we cancel the backup and get our money back, if Dubai isn’t clear we try to get the money back from Emirates.

For right now we are doing #1 but at some point we will have to move to #2-3.

Anyone in a similar spot? What are you thinking and doing? Waiting makes sense for now but flights will only get more expensive so we are trying to balance when to pull the trigger on a backup plan.

 

[SETH RINGER]

1. IS US FOR NOW (FLYING MAY)
3. MAYBY NEXT MONTH
2. IS A LAST RESORT

 

[Red Leg]

So Dubai is partially open as we type. A lot of the flights are repatriation while the residents of UAE and experienced expats are going about their daily lives. I would anticipate being able to fly without an issue.

 

[Russ16]

So Dubai is partially open as we type. A lot of the flights are repatriation while the residents of UAE and experienced expats are going about their daily lives. I would anticipate being able to fly without an issue.

The Emirates website says all flights are suspended through March 7. Other sources say the are running a few repatriation flights. They specifically say do not go to the airport.

My question is at what point would you make other plans. I’m not willing to miss my safari because of an issue like this one. I’m thinking mid-June is the drop dead date to pull the trigger on an alternative plan.

 

[fourfive8]

The Emirates website says all flights are suspended through March 7. Other sources say the are running a few repatriation flights. They specifically say do not go to the airport.

My question is at what point would you make other plans. I’m not willing to miss my safari because of an issue like this one. I’m thinking mid-June is the drop dead date to pull the trigger on an alternative plan.

Beware of those who claim to have a crystal ball. I tend to agree with your assessment and plan for a drop dead change of plans date of about June 15. Remember, other travelers who have disrupted plans, wherever their destinations may be, will also be filling seats of available flights for some time after resumption of scheduled flights. Unfortunately, I too have tickets that go through one of the sand piles on the Persian Gulf twice, July 1 and July 20.

This will certainly be my last time using any carrier with hubs in, based in or flights through any of the s$;t hole cities in the Middle East.

 

[375Fox]

July is still a long ways out. I’d wait until end of May and see. Short notice tickets aren’t as expensive as they are made out to be.
I’m flying to Uganda end of month. I made decision to buy a different ticket through Europe and just rent a rifle. $1400 round trip for economy wasn’t so bad.

 

[wesheltonj]

Always nice to have a backup plan. That said, the shooting should be over by July. If you don't think so, buy fully refundable fare - two one ways, as you never know then the shooting can restart

 

[Red Leg]

The Emirates website says all flights are suspended through March 7. Other sources say the are running a few repatriation flights. They specifically say do not go to the airport.

My question is at what point would you make other plans. I’m not willing to miss my safari because of an issue like this one. I’m thinking mid-June is the drop dead date to pull the trigger on an alternative plan.

If you are truly concerned at this point then @wesheltonj has offered you the best advice. Simply buy fully refundable tickets on another airline operating another route. It will cost you a month or two of interest on your credit card.

 

[PHOENIX PHIL]

Brother and I are scheduled to fly through Dubai to Zim at the end of July. Going all is sorted by then but considering my options. The way I see it these are the choices:

1. Wait it out and hope it will be ok.
2. Cancel the flight and book a new one through Johannesburg.
3. Book a backup flight on a refundable ticket. If Dubai is clear we cancel the backup and get our money back, if Dubai isn’t clear we try to get the money back from Emirates.

For right now we are doing #1 but at some point we will have to move to #2-3.

Anyone in a similar spot? What are you thinking and doing? Waiting makes sense for now but flights will only get more expensive so we are trying to balance when to pull the trigger on a backup plan.

In the same boat at the moment. I'm to fly tot RSA on Qatar Air in late July. For now I'm going with option 1 and waiting this out a bit with 4 plus months to spare. I made my reservations thru Patrick at PWP travel. I would guess that he is being inundated with phone calls this week from panicked traveler. I see no need to panic at this point and bother him this week with another phone call with my travel plans that far out. But I do plan to call him next week to seek his advice.

 

[Rimbaud]

I think it is a fairly good bet that Iran will soon cease to pose a threat to anyone. Rather than scheduling an alternate flight, I would consider reviewing the terms of travel with the existing carrier. I've seen some headlines on various transportation companies (oil, primarily) declaring force majeur on carriage, which I would imagine is the great risk if an airline decides to suddenly cancel your flight close to the travel date. Again, though, I think near-term risks will likely be resolved well before your hunt. If they are not resolved, well, we will be living in a much different world and likely hunting much closer to home.

 

[Tanks]

This will certainly be my last time using any carrier with hubs in, based in or flights through any of the s$;t hole cities in the Middle East.

Those "s$;t hole cities in the Middle East" that are hubs are nicer than majority of big cities around the world including the USA. Not to mention lack of crime unlike NYC, LA, London, Paris etc.. Of course, they might lack the LadyBoys of RoP.

 

[375Fox]

I think it is a fairly good bet that Iran will soon cease to pose a threat to anyone. Rather than scheduling an alternate flight, I would consider reviewing the terms of travel with the existing carrier. I've seen some headlines on various transportation companies (oil, primarily) declaring force majeur on carriage, which I would imagine is the great risk if an airline decides to suddenly cancel your flight close to the travel date. Again, though, I think near-term risks will likely be resolved well before your hunt. If they are not resolved, well, we will be living in a much different world and likely hunting much closer to home.

I think it’s very difficult to predict that or what they may do in the meantime. They’ve been a threat for over 40 years now. If they get desperate infrastructure like airports in countries seen as supporting the US might become targets. Waiting a while or buying refundable tickets are both valid options though. July is still a long ways out.

 

[Rimbaud]

I think it’s very difficult to predict that or what they may do in the meantime. If they get desperate infrastructure like airports in countries seen as supporting the US might become targets. Waiting a while or buying refundable tickets are both valid options though. July is still a long ways out.

I will bet you $1 on the outcome.

 

[Red Leg]

This will certainly be my last time using any carrier with hubs in, based in or flights through any of the s$;t hole cities in the Middle East.

Those "s$;t hole cities in the Middle East" that are hubs are nicer than majority of big cities around the world including the USA. Not to mention lack of crime unlike NYC, LA, London, Paris etc.. Of course, they might lack the LadyBoys of RoP.

You have to love it. From someone who lists their home, at least part time, as Mindanao.

 

[375Fox]

I will bet you $1 on the outcome.

You need to bet a trip on it. That’s the question I’ve had in my head the last few days. I decided to book a new route in the timeframe I have.

 

[Rimbaud]

You need to bet a trip on it. That’s the question I’ve had in my head the last few days. I decided to book a new route in the timeframe I have.

Fair point. I might be in Hungary next month for roebucks, but I haven't booked anything as of yet. My next confirmed hunt is Spain, in the spring of 2027.

 

[Russ16]

If you are truly concerned at this point then @wesheltonj has offered you the best advice. Simply buy fully refundable tickets on another airline operating another route. It will cost you a month or two of interest on your credit card.

I never carry a balance so not worried about credit card interest.

Just trying to get an idea of everyone’s thinking about what the impact of this will be by late July. More brains are better than one.

You seem to be in the camp that it won’t be a problem by then which is where I’m leaning. But I like to get a group temperature check on these type of things.

Thanks for the input.

 

[Red Leg]

Fair point. I might be in Hungary next month for roebucks, but I haven't booked anything as of yet. My next confirmed hunt is Spain, in the spring of 2027.

Europe is a long way from the war zone. We are headed to Croatia April and have not even considered events in the Persian Gulf as having any effect on our travel plans.

 

[Rimbaud]

I think you are in for another adventure. Stags in Croatia or something else? I haven't booked Hungary only because I am not sure if I can get away from the office for that long. I'm not the least bit concerned about the impact of Epic Fury on air travel. I do remember being in line at O'hare, just after 9/11, waiting to board the plane, and the guy next to me was in traditional Arab attire. It was late. Our flight had been delayed, and the guy starts talking to me about how he just flew in from overseas and the Sheikhs told him to walk in the sun to beat jet lag. I figured I was probably safe on my flight as the guy almost certainly got some extra TLC going through security, but . . .

 

[Russ16]

Europe is a long way from the war zone. We are headed to Croatia April and have not even considered events in the Persian Gulf as having any effect on our travel plans.

Croatia is a wonderful country. We did a week long boat charter there last summer. Saw some really nice rams on one of the islands when we were doing a day hike. If you are in Zagreb make sure to get a Bjula sandwich.