With Dubai Airport closed and over 3,000 flights cancelled due to the Iran crisis, millions of passengers need refunds. This comprehensive guide explains exactly how to get your money back from Emirates, flydubai, Etihad, and other airlines, plus how to claim on travel insurance.
Whether you're a Dubai resident with a Golden Visa trying to return home or a tourist stuck abroad, you have rights to a full refund or free rebooking.
Your Rights During Flight Cancellations
- Full Refund: All airlines offering 100% refunds for cancelled flights
- Free Rebooking: Change to any future date without fees
- Hotel/Meals: Airlines providing for stranded passengers at airport
- No Expiry: Refunds/credits don't have short expiry dates
100%
Refund Available
24-72h
Processing Time
$0
Change Fees
14 Days
Refund Deadline (EU)
Emirates Refund Process
Step 1: Check Your Booking
- Go to emirates.com/manage
- Enter booking reference and last name
- Check if your flight shows as "Cancelled"
Step 2: Request Refund Online
- Select "Request Refund" option
- Choose "Full Refund" (not travel credit)
- Refund goes to original payment method
- Processing: 7-14 business days
Alternative: Call Emirates
- UAE: +971 600 555 555
- USA: 1-800-777-3999
- UK: 0344 800 2777
- Wait times may be long - online is faster
flydubai Refund Process
- Visit flydubai.com/manage-booking
- Call: +971 600 544 445
- Full refund to original payment method
- Or accept flydubai credit with 10% bonus
Etihad Refund Process
- Visit etihad.com/manage
- Call: +971 600 508 808
- Full refund available for all affected flights
- Rebooking to any date with no fare difference
Other Airlines - Quick Links
| Airline | Refund Link | Phone |
|---|---|---|
| Qatar Airways | qatarairways.com/manage | +974 4023 0000 |
| British Airways | ba.com/manage | +44 344 493 0787 |
| Lufthansa | lufthansa.com/manage | +49 69 86 799 799 |
| Air France | airfrance.com/manage | +33 9 69 39 36 54 |
| Singapore Airlines | singaporeair.com/manage | +65 6223 8888 |
Travel Insurance Claims
What's Typically Covered
- Trip cancellation due to war/terrorism
- Hotel and meal expenses while stranded
- Alternative transportation costs
- Medical emergencies abroad
- Lost baggage and personal items
How to Claim
- Document Everything: Keep all receipts, boarding passes, cancellation emails
- Notify Insurer ASAP: Most require notification within 24-72 hours
- Get Airline Letter: Request written confirmation of cancellation
- Submit Online: Most insurers have online claim portals
- Timeline: Claims typically processed in 2-4 weeks
Credit Card Chargebacks
If airline refuses refund (unlikely but possible):
- Contact your credit card issuer
- Dispute the charge as "services not rendered"
- Provide cancellation evidence
- Works for charges made within last 120 days
- Visa, Mastercard, Amex all support this
Booked Through Third Party?
If you booked via Booking.com, Expedia, Skyscanner, etc.:
- Contact the booking platform first
- They may need to process refund through airline
- If they refuse, go directly to airline
- Keep all correspondence as evidence
Hotel Refunds
If you had Dubai hotel bookings:
- Most hotels offering full refunds due to crisis
- Contact hotel directly for fastest resolution
- Booking.com/Expedia processing automatic refunds
- Non-refundable bookings being honored as refundable
For Business Travelers
If you're traveling for business in Dubai:
- Corporate travel agencies handling bulk refunds
- Business travel insurance typically covers war disruptions
- Keep records for expense reports
- DIFC and Free Zone meetings can be rescheduled
Planning to Return When Flights Resume?
Dubai will recover. Your residency, property, and business rights remain protected.
