Following Iranian missile and drone strikes on the UAE, hundreds of flights to and from Dubai have been cancelled since February 28, 2026. Emirates and flydubai have begun resuming limited operations as of March 2-3, but many routes remain suspended. This guide covers current flight status, refund policies, rebooking options, and steps to take if you're stranded — essential information for travelers, Golden Visa holders, and business travelers.
Dubai Flight Status — March 4, 2026
DXB: Operating reduced capacity. Emirates: Limited flights resumed. flydubai: Partial operations. International carriers: Some resuming. Check airline directly before travel.
Current Airline Status
Emirates
Status: Limited flights resumed March 2. Many long-haul routes still cancelled. Rebooking fee waived. Full refunds available for cancelled flights. Call +971 600 555 555.
flydubai
Status: Partial operations resumed. Regional routes prioritized. Passengers can rebook free of charge or request full refund. Contact via app or +971 600 544 445.
Etihad Airways
Status: Abu Dhabi flights resuming. Some delays expected. Free rebooking for affected passengers. Contact +971 600 508 600.
International Carriers
Virgin Atlantic: Resumed Dubai-London March 4. British Airways, Lufthansa, Air France: Check individual airline for status. Many still suspended.
How to Get Refunds
Options for cancelled Dubai flights:
- Emirates: Full refund to original payment method within 14 days. Or rebook free to any date in 2026.
- flydubai: Refund processed within 7-14 days. Travel credit option with 10% bonus value.
- Third-party bookings: Contact your booking platform (Expedia, Booking.com, etc.) — they should honor airline refund policies.
- Credit card chargebacks: If airline refuses refund, dispute with your card issuer under "services not rendered."
Refund Timeline
- Credit card refunds: 7-14 business days
- Debit card refunds: 14-21 business days
- Cash/voucher purchases: May require in-person visit
- Travel agent bookings: Agent processes refund, may take longer
Rebooking Options
Best strategies for travelers:
- Same airline, later date: Most airlines waiving change fees through March 31, 2026. Book earliest available.
- Alternative airports: Consider flying into Abu Dhabi (AUH), Sharjah (SHJ), or Ras Al Khaimah (RKT) if Dubai routes unavailable.
- Different carriers: Turkish Airlines via Istanbul, Qatar Airways via Doha offering capacity. May require new booking.
- Route via Saudi: Flights to Riyadh/Jeddah then connect to UAE by land or domestic flight.
If You're Stranded in Dubai
Steps for travelers stuck after cancellations:
- Accommodation: Airlines may provide hotel vouchers for cancelled flights. Ask at airport counter.
- Visa extension: GDRFA typically grants automatic extensions during emergencies. Contact via app or 800 5111.
- Embassy assistance: Note: US Embassy CLOSED. Contact via emergency line only.
- Insurance claims: Document everything — cancellation notices, receipts, expenses. See our insurance claim guide.
- Extended stay: If staying longer, consider short-term rental options.
Travel Insurance Claims
Key points for claiming flight cancellation coverage:
- War exclusion clause: Many policies exclude "acts of war." However, travel disruption may still be covered.
- Trip cancellation: If you haven't traveled yet, may be covered under "cancel for any reason" or CFAR policies.
- Trip interruption: If stranded mid-trip, additional expenses may be reimbursable.
- Document everything: Save all cancellation notices, boarding passes, receipts, hotel bills.
- Contact insurer ASAP: Most require notification within 24-72 hours of incident.
"We are working around the clock to resume full operations. Passengers on cancelled flights will receive full refunds or free rebooking. Safety remains our priority, and we appreciate our customers' patience during this unprecedented situation."
— Emirates Airline Statement, March 3, 2026Business Travelers & Meetings
For those traveling to Dubai for business setup or meetings:
- DIFC, DMCC operations: Free Zones operating normally. Meetings can proceed.
- Virtual alternatives: Consider video calls for initial consultations.
- Rescheduling: Most Dubai businesses understanding of delays. Communicate proactively.
- Golden Visa appointments: GDRFA accepting reschedules. Check eligibility while waiting.
Key Contact Numbers
Emirates: +971 600 555 555 | flydubai: +971 600 544 445 | Dubai Airports: +971 4 224 5555 | GDRFA: 800 5111
