Last updated: 1 June 2026. Sources: airline operators, UK FCDO and the UK Civil Aviation Authority (CAA). Fares are guide prices from fare-comparison sites in late May 2026 and change daily.
The London to Dubai route is one of the busiest in the world. Before the war it ran up to 12 flights a day across four airlines.
The war changed that. This is the full A–Z: who is flying now, airline by airline, plus routes, costs, your refund rights, and what to keep in mind on the legal and safety side.
London to Dubai Flights
London to Dubai flights are running in June 2026, with fewer airlines than before. One airline flies you straight to Dubai; the rest either pause the route or connect through another city.
Status as on 1 June 2026
As of the start of June 2026, the airline below operates direct flights from London to Dubai. You can book straight away.
- Emirates — direct, London Heathrow to Dubai, up to six flights a day. Book your direct flight at emirates.com.
Emirates also flies direct to Dubai from five more UK airports: Manchester, Birmingham, Glasgow, Edinburgh and Newcastle.
British Airways and Virgin Atlantic normally fly London to Dubai direct as well. Both are paused right now, so see their sections below for the latest status and where to check.
Airlines operating connecting (indirect) flights
Direct choice is limited, so seats on your date sell out, or the fare runs high. A connecting flight, with one stop in another city, is the usual backup.
As of early June 2026, these airlines offer one-stop flights from London to Dubai. Book direct on each airline’s site:
- Qatar Airways — one stop via Doha. Book at qatarairways.com.
- Gulf Air — one stop via Bahrain. Book at gulfair.com.
- Turkish Airlines — one stop via Istanbul. Book at turkishairlines.com.
- Etihad — direct to Abu Dhabi, then about 90 minutes by road to Dubai. Book at etihad.com.
Connecting routes change as airlines restore their schedules, so check live one-stop fares and other routings on Skyscanner, Google Flights or Kayak.
Not sure which way to go? The quick tool below points you to the best fit.
What matters most to you?
London to Dubai Flights of Emirates
Emirates is the main airline for London to Dubai right now, and the only one flying you direct. As a UAE airline, it kept operating through the crisis using rerouted flight paths.
- Route: London Heathrow direct to Dubai (DXB).
- Frequency: up to six flights a day from Heathrow, many on the A380 superjumbo.
- Other UK airports: direct to Dubai from Manchester, Birmingham, Glasgow, Edinburgh and Newcastle.
- Flight time: about seven hours normally, a little longer now due to rerouting.
- If cancelled: free rebooking or a full refund.
Book your Emirates flight, or check live times, at emirates.com. Confirm your flight in the Emirates app on the day, as some times run longer than the schedule shows.
London to Dubai Flights of British Airways
British Airways is not flying to Dubai in early June 2026. It paused the route when the war began and has pushed the restart back.
- Normal route: London Heathrow Terminal 5 direct to Dubai (DXB).
- Before the war: around 14 flights a week.
- Restart: pencilled for around August 2026, after slipping from an earlier July plan. It is likely to start at about one flight a day.
- Affected bookings: full refund or free rebooking, and you can rebook with another airline.
- Why paused: as a UK carrier, BA follows European safety rules that kept it off the route while Emirates, a UAE airline, kept flying.
Because the date has moved before, treat it as unconfirmed until close to departure. Check the latest status and your booking at britishairways.com.
London to Dubai Flights of Etihad
Etihad does not fly to Dubai itself, but it is the easiest near-direct option. It flies you to Abu Dhabi, the UAE capital, a short drive from Dubai.
- Route: London Heathrow direct to Abu Dhabi (AUH); also from Manchester.
- Getting to Dubai: about 90 minutes by road, by taxi, bus or transfer.
- Flight time: similar to a Dubai flight, around seven hours plus current rerouting.
- If cancelled: free rebooking or a refund on affected flights.
This works well if Emirates is full or pricey on your dates. Book your Etihad flight at etihad.com, and factor in the transfer to Dubai at the other end.
London to Dubai Flights of Virgin Atlantic
Virgin Atlantic is not flying to Dubai, and will not for some time. It dropped the route during the war and has no plans to return until 2027.
- Normal route: London Heathrow direct to Dubai (DXB).
- What happened: Virgin suspended Dubai at the end of February 2026, then removed it from its network along with Riyadh and Tel Aviv.
- Return: not expected until the 2027 season.
- What to do now: rebook with another airline, with Emirates the simplest direct swap.
If you hold an old Virgin booking, check your options at virginatlantic.com.
London to Dubai Flights of Qatar Airways
Qatar Airways is the main one-stop option for London to Dubai. It flies you via its hub in Doha, and has restored daily Dubai services.
- Route: London Heathrow or Gatwick to Dubai, with one stop in Doha (DOH).
- Journey time: longer than a direct flight, because of the stop and the change of plane.
- When it helps: useful when Emirates is full or expensive on your dates.
- Good to know: Qatar also carries the FCDO all but essential travel warning, but you are only changing planes there.
Book your Qatar Airways flight at qatarairways.com. For other one-stop routings, compare live on Skyscanner.
How Much Do London to Dubai Flights Cost Now?
Prices are higher than before the war. Two things have pushed them up: jet fuel costs about twice as much, and there are fewer seats to go around.
Here is roughly what a direct economy return from London looks like now, against the old normal.
Guide prices only, from fare-comparison sites in late May 2026. Fares change daily and depend on your dates, your airport and how early you book.
Should you book now or wait?
If your dates are fixed, book now to lock in a seat while choice is limited. If your dates are flexible, waiting is reasonable, as more airlines returning should add seats and ease prices.
Are flexible tickets worth it?
Right now, yes, for many people. A ticket you can change frees you up if your plans or the airline’s schedule shift.
Which airlines offer free changes?
Emirates and Etihad both offer free rebooking or refunds on affected flights. Check the exact terms when you book, as they are updated as things settle.
Why Is My London to Dubai Flight Taking Longer?
Your flight takes longer because of the route, not the distance. Iranian airspace is closed, and that is the airspace most Europe-to-Gulf flights used to cross.
To stay safe, airlines now fly around it. Emirates and others reroute over Saudi Arabia and Egypt, which adds roughly 60 to 90 minutes to a long-haul sector.
A few related questions come up a lot. Here are the short answers.
- Is Dubai airspace open? Yes, since 2 May 2026.
- Are flights going via Saudi Arabia? Many are, to avoid closed Iranian airspace.
- What route are Emirates using? Paths kept well clear of conflict areas, over Saudi Arabia and Egypt.
Because of this, build in extra buffer time for connections in Dubai. Schedules do not always show the longer time clearly.
Cancellations, Refunds and Compensation
If your flight is cancelled, you have clear rights. The main one is simple: you get your money back, or a seat on another flight.
Can I get a refund?
Yes. If the airline cancels, you are entitled to a full refund or rerouting. Emirates and Etihad both offer free rebooking or a refund on affected flights.
Does UK261 compensation apply?
UK261 is the UK rule on flight refunds and compensation. It gives you a refund or a new flight if you are cancelled. Cash compensation usually does not apply when the cause is a war or an airspace closure, because those count as events outside the airline’s control.
What if the airspace closes again?
Your rights stay the same. A cancelled flight still means a refund or a rebooking, so a flexible ticket is handy while things are uncertain.
Will travel insurance cover it?
Be careful here. Many standard policies do not cover travel against FCDO advice, and the FCDO advises against all but essential travel to the UAE. Phone your insurer and get the answer in writing before you book.
The Legal Side: Entry Rules and Documents
The entry rules have not changed because of the war. A British citizen still gets a free visa on arrival in the UAE, with no need to apply ahead.
Here is what to have sorted before you fly.
- Passport: valid for at least six months from the day you arrive.
- Visa: free on arrival, valid up to 90 days within a 180-day window.
- Medication: strong or controlled drugs need approval from the UAE Ministry of Health first, which takes about five working days.
- What you cannot bring: no pork products and no pornography; weapons need permission.
- Online posts: posting content critical of the UAE or its government is against the law there.
The FCDO warning is advice, not a legal ban. You are free to fly to Dubai. The catch is your travel insurance, which can stop working if you travel against the advice.
The Safety Side: Is It Safe to Fly to Dubai?
The flight itself is run with safety first. Airlines plot routes well clear of conflict areas, and the UAE only reopened its airspace once the GCAA judged it safe.
Inside Dubai, the city is calm and normal. The wider worry is the small chance of a sudden strike somewhere in the region, which is why the FCDO keeps its warning in place.
- Airport: Dubai International is open and operating normally.
- If an alarm sounds: go indoors, away from windows, and follow NCEMA alerts.
- Before you travel: register with the British Embassy and turn on FCDO alerts.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are London to Dubai flights cancelled?
The mass cancellations of early 2026 have ended. London to Dubai flights are running again after UAE airspace reopened on 2 May 2026, and Emirates operates direct flights to schedule most days. British Airways and Virgin Atlantic have paused their Dubai flights, so there are fewer airlines than before. The FCDO still warns that schedules can change at short notice, so check your flight in the airline app before you head to the airport, and confirm it is operating rather than just booked.
Which airlines are flying from London to Dubai now?
Emirates is the only airline flying direct from London to Dubai right now, with up to six flights a day from Heathrow. Etihad flies direct to nearby Abu Dhabi, about 90 minutes from Dubai by road. For one-stop flights, Qatar Airways flies via Doha, Gulf Air via Bahrain and Turkish Airlines via Istanbul. British Airways has paused its Dubai route until around August 2026, and Virgin Atlantic has dropped Dubai until 2027.
Is Emirates still flying London to Dubai?
Yes. Emirates is the main carrier on the route and the only one flying direct from London to Dubai. It runs up to six flights a day from Heathrow, many on the A380, and also flies direct to Dubai from Manchester, Birmingham, Glasgow, Edinburgh and Newcastle. As a UAE airline, it kept operating through the crisis using rerouted paths. If a flight is cancelled, Emirates offers free rebooking or a full refund. Book or check times at emirates.com.
Is British Airways flying from London to Dubai?
Not in early June 2026. British Airways paused its Heathrow to Dubai route when the war began and has pushed the restart back, with the latest plan pointing to around August 2026, likely starting at about one flight a day. The date has slipped before, so treat it as unconfirmed until close to departure. Affected bookings get a full refund or free rebooking, and you can rebook with another airline. Check the latest at britishairways.com.
Are flights from London to Dubai operating normally?
Almost. Flights are running daily after airspace reopened on 2 May 2026, but there are fewer airlines and journeys take a little longer. Emirates flies direct from Heathrow, and Etihad flies into nearby Abu Dhabi. Most flights now take roughly 60 to 90 minutes longer than before, because airlines reroute around closed Iranian airspace. Dubai International Airport itself is open and operating normally, so the main thing to check is your own flight.
Can I get a refund if my Dubai flight is cancelled?
Yes. If the airline cancels your flight, you are entitled to a full refund or a seat on another flight under UK261, the UK rule on flight refunds and compensation. Emirates and Etihad both offer free rebooking or a refund on affected flights. Cash compensation usually does not apply when the cause is a war or an airspace closure, as those count as events outside the airline’s control. Manage your booking through the airline directly to arrange a refund or rebooking.
Why is my London to Dubai flight taking longer?
It is the route, not the distance. Iranian airspace is closed, and that is the airspace most Europe-to-Gulf flights used to cross. To stay safe, airlines now fly around it, rerouting over Saudi Arabia and Egypt, which adds roughly 60 to 90 minutes to a long-haul sector. The flight from Heathrow to Dubai normally takes about seven hours and currently runs a little longer. Build in extra buffer time if you have a connection in Dubai.
How much are London to Dubai flights right now?
A direct economy return from London typically runs around 450 to 700 pounds at the moment, with the cheapest one-way Emirates fares from about 400 pounds. That is above the pre-war norm of roughly 350 pounds, because jet fuel costs about twice as much and there are fewer seats. A one-stop flight or flying Etihad into Abu Dhabi is broadly in line on price. Prices change daily and depend on your dates and how early you book, so compare a few dates before you commit.
Is Dubai airspace open, and are flights avoiding Iran?
Dubai airspace is open; the UAE reopened it in full on 2 May 2026. Flights are avoiding Iranian airspace, which remains closed, by rerouting over Saudi Arabia and Egypt. This keeps flight paths well clear of conflict areas and is the reason journeys take about 60 to 90 minutes longer than before. Iraq reopened its airspace earlier, on 8 April 2026, which has eased some routing. Conditions can change, so airlines adjust routes as needed.
Sources
Sources: airline operator updates (Emirates, British Airways, Etihad, Virgin Atlantic, Qatar Airways); the UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office travel advice for the UAE (still current at 1 June 2026); UK Civil Aviation Authority passenger-rights guidance; and UAE GCAA airspace reopening on 2 May 2026.
We update this guide as schedules change. Always confirm your flight with the airline before travelling, and treat fares as guide prices only.
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