Other Middle East and Africa Frequent Flyer Programs - Flying Emirates through Dubai?

I'm Jewish and American and I often travel to Bangalore and Mumbai on business. I have coworkers who fly up to JFK to use Emirates through Dubai to India, while I usually fly on Air France through CDG. We have an upcoming meeting in Mumbai in February of 2006, and my non-Jewish boss and coworkers are flying together on Emirates through Dubai. There is also an opportunity for us to spend a weekend in Dubai on the way back to the US. I need to find out 1) if I can fly Emirates through Dubai on our way to Mumbai and 2) can I spend a weekend in Dubai on our way back?

I think it's important to add that I have visited Israel, but the Israeli stamps were on an old passport I had as a child. My current passport has no Israeli stamps on it. Additionally, my last name is not a common Jewish last name, but it is not an uncommon German-Jewish lastname. I don't want to hide my Jewish identity, but it's important that I make this trip through Dubai with my boss on Emirates, because much of our preparation for the meeting in Dubai will probably occur informally on the way.

Any info on the above two questions would be greatly appreciated!!

I hope you don't mind my joining this thread as well.

I have a similar question with regard to a possible flight from AMM-BKK through Cairo on Egypt Air. My layover in Cairo is rather short and thus I don't have any plans on leaving the airport. However does anyone think that I might have a problem either in AMM or CAI? I do have an Israeli stamp in my passport having visited Israel in the past.

Both Jordan and Egypt are at peace with Israel and as far as I know have no travel restrictions for Israelis or for people with Israeli stamps in their passports.

Thanks.

I'm Jewish and American and I often travel to Bangalore and Mumbai on business. I have coworkers who fly up to JFK to use Emirates through Dubai to India, while I usually fly on Air France through CDG. We have an upcoming meeting in Mumbai in February of 2006, and my non-Jewish boss and coworkers are flying together on Emirates through Dubai. There is also an opportunity for us to spend a weekend in Dubai on the way back to the US. I need to find out 1) if I can fly Emirates through Dubai on our way to Mumbai and 2) can I spend a weekend in Dubai on our way back?

I think it's important to add that I have visited Israel, but the Israeli stamps were on an old passport I had as a child. My current passport has no Israeli stamps on it. Additionally, my last name is not a common Jewish last name, but it is not an uncommon German-Jewish lastname. I don't want to hide my Jewish identity, but it's important that I make this trip through Dubai with my boss on Emirates, because much of our preparation for the meeting in Dubai will probably occur informally on the way.

Any info on the above two questions would be greatly appreciated!!

I'm presuming you are traveling on a US passport. If so, you'd be just like the many other european and american tourists, shoppers, and business persons visiting/traveling through. There's nothing on the official visa forms asking about religious background, ancestry etc.

As an additional precaution, you may want to check on the state dept website for any related warnings/restrictions and also give the UAE embassy a call.

CF, I apologize if I misinterpret your question, but I think you're asking 1) are Jews allowed to fly EK, and 2) are Jews allowed in the UAE. The answer to both is, yes. In fact, I visited with a Jewish friend. There is a major difference between being Jewish and being Israeli. However, I believe that the UAE also allows Israelis but I could be mistaken.

Enjoy your stay. It's worth a few days visit on the way back, imo.

I'm Jewish and American and I often travel to Bangalore and Mumbai on business.

No problem at all. I do it all the time and I do have an obviously Jewish last name. Not an issue on EK, in the airport, nor traveling in Dubai. Americans and many other nationalities do not require a visa and therefore there is no fee to enter the country (some other nationalities do require a visa). The passport check for Americans is very quick. Look for a business/first class passport control line (Fast Track) if applicable.

Further, I vaguely recall that the UAE has dropped the restiction in entry related to Israeli stamps in passports (not an issue for you). If this is relevant to anyone, please check it out before travel.

Supposedly there have been discussions between Israel and the UAE regarding an Israeli representative office in the UAE but I don't know if anything has been done about it. In any case, what you propose is no issue.

Dubai is a very interesting place and well worth a look, especially now when the construction projects are everywhere!

Charles

There's nothing on the official visa forms asking about religious background, ancestry etc.


And for US and other nations that don't require a visa, you don't even fill out a form. Just show your passport, get a stamp, and enter.

As I recall, ATMs are available both before and after passport control. USD are also widely accepted in Dubai at a rate of 3.5 or 3.6 to US$1 (official fixed exchange rate is 3.67 to US$1).

Charles