uclacolumbiaunc

I am considering flying Emirates from Europe (Prague) to Asia via Dubai... but I am worrying if Emirates fly over ISIS-controlled region on its way from Europe to Dubai???

Is it safe to fly this way? Does ISIS have missle to shoot down aircrafts? If the flight crashes in ISIS region, you can get captured by ISIS?

Firemansam

If your flight crashes in ISIS controlled territory i would be more worried about hitting the ground at 800kph than becoming a prisoner.

uclacolumbiaunc

there is chance of survival. if you do survive, you might get your head cut off by ISIS.

but does Emirates still fly over Iraq region controlled by ISIS? Or Emirates is taking longer route to avoid Iraq and other war zone in middle east?

extramileage

Emirates has avoided Iraqi airspace on routes to/from Europe since last summer and flies over Iran instead.

You can see the path of the most recent PRG-DXB flights here:
http://www.flightradar24.com/data/flights/ek140#5b1d1c4

I can't fault you for an abundance of (misguided) caution, but you do realize that you're more likely to die in a car crash on the way to/from the airport in PRG or wherever in Asia you are going to, than at the hands of ISIS ... after surviving a plane crash.

NOIR

Your simple, honest, and straight forward answer is no EK will not fly over Iraq, nor Syria so don't worry.

m0hamed

I think you might be best not flying any of the ME3 if this is your general perspective...

washeelers747

I flew few times with EK (recent as last Jan)... usually fly over Iran, and I think EK feel it's worth to take longer route to dodge unnecessary risks.

Xlr

The GCAA prevents UAE airlines from flying over Iraqi airspace unless their destination is Iraq.

So, you will probably fly over Iran.

Work-Shy

By all accounts, it appears that both EK and EY are taking a sensibly cautious approach (as mandated by the GCAA). QR on other hand.....

http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/qatar...raq-again.html

uclacolumbiaunc

So, I guess I can conclude that it's perfectly safe to fly Emirate from Europe to Dubai... nothing to worry about flying over ISIS zone, etc...?

LE4603

Yes you will be fine, you will avoid all that. I fly it all the time.

ioto1902

In this crazy world, ISIS is not the only threat. Though EK flies round Syria and Iraq, lots of crazy people have missiles and can easily shoot down airliners. Russia, Ukraine, Israel, Hezbollah in Lebanon, Iran, and even western navies in the area. Remember US Navy shooting down an airliner in 1988 ... Not to mention aliens who most probably abducted MH370.
You have higher probability to get involved in a car accident ...

uclacolumbiaunc

So, is flying over Iran safe? Isn't Iran being sanctioned for having nuclear weapon?

I think Emirates also flies over the eastern part of Turkey, which of course is another place where terrorists are active. Tourists touring Turkey are advised not to go to eastern edge of the Turkey bordering Iran (I was told such when I was in Turkey).....

eternaltransit

If you mean is there any specific additional risk of flying over Iranian airspace? Considering hundreds of aircraft from all over the world fly over Iranian airspace every day (and don't forget, most countries don't mind overflying aircraft because each aircraft means government revenue), then I wouldn't say there is anything particularly special about flying over Iran, no. Iran isn't an active warzone like Ukraine is where people on the ground had sophisticated anti-air missile systems.

If aircraft routes are your top safety concern, I would suggest that your risk calculations are being overly influenced by media coverage and emotions - perhaps your questions should be directed more towards maintenance and safety standards as well flight crew mental health instead of flight plans to put your mind at ease.

uclacolumbiaunc

well, i definitely feel better flying over Iran than flying over ISIS controlled territory like Syria or Iraq.