So that makes it 74% give or take, in honesty the world seems to have decided to have a quaruntine led by goverments simply blocking entry, so much for open doors. To be honest it's best, maybe airlines should stop trying to fly and say, lets just take a 2 week pause and see where we are. They are not peanalised for not using spots so no need to fear loss of slots, atleast in EU

Long time lurker, finally creating an account.
Question: I was scheduled to fly JNB-DXB-ORD on March 28, it looks like I'm impacted by EK's recent flight cancellations. Getting through to anyone on the phone is impossible so I'm turning to the experts here. If I complete the online form to request a refund, should I feel confident a full refund will be processed correctly vs. refund less cancellation fee. (I think my cancellation fee is $400 for first class saver - correct me if I'm wrong.) Thanks

If you cant get through then yes, just expect a delay. I would say you can try argue the fee since technically its the supplier failure and not by you. If you paid by card I would suggest to EK you will do a chargeback if they fail to refund in full. [Edit, I just read through my terms and nothing is said about cancellation by EK and fee's, I believe since it's not worded well, they are hoping they can convince some passangers, it's their request to cancel and not due to effectivly a failure to supply the services agreed. Also this only works if you booked directly, if its with an agent, you need to speak to the agent

I would in the comments box "Dear Emirates, I note you have cancelled my flight to Chicago scheduled for the 28th March 2020.The contract of carriage was based on you performing a service which you are unable to provide. I therefore require a full refund without any deductions or penalties given the failure to perform the service is on Emirates behalf and not myself. (IF PAID BY CARD ADD) Please note should Emirates fail to provide a full refund, I will be forced to request my card provider to issue a chargeback request."

Thanks for the feedback. I'm going to try the UK number via Skype and if I don't get though then I'll use the above suggestion in the comment box. I tried twitter earlier today but didn't receive a response. I do understand they are busy but was hoping to beat the rush of travelers impacted by the recent cancellations. Will report back my results.

Thanks for the feedback. The tickets were purchased directly through EK.
I did send a message via twitter, no reply. I contacted the UK number (+443448002777) which does have the option to press 1 for first class (USA number does not have that feature). After 20 minutes an agent answered, he stated many times that the cancellation is beyond Emirates control and subject to a cancellation charge of $400 if I want a cash refund or no charge if a voucher. I have the impression that's only Emirates told them to say as he was unable to answer any other questions and kept repeating the same sentence. Now I will use your advice and request the refund online using the above "Dear Emirates" paragraph.

The following are still bookable:

EK414 (A380)
EK416 (77W)
EK420 (A380)

EK225/226 (SFO) rotation cancelled on 21-Mar but the posts above indicate that it won't be off the schedule until the 29th. Not sure if they're consolidating demand for now?

Side note: A6-EOD is scheduled to do today's 22-Mar EK225 at 08:45

Probably a stupid question, but what if you do nothing? If they flight is cancelled, isn't it up to Emirates to contact you directly to say so? Will they still only refund minus cancellation fees?

Keep us posted, EK is simply trying to survive and retain revenue, for many the would have paid through debit, bank and paypal. Credit Card is recomended for a reason. Phone agents are usually unable to override any directive and supervisors less likely to. I would say if they still deduct go to your card provider and they should refund the remainder

It is upto but not mandatory, they always ask you to check in etc. I have a friend who's flight was cancelled on return flight today, no email or anything but it was in the news flight are cancelled.

Emirates on their website are using the term "suspension" and not "cancellation"
As per EC 261 (if the outbound is originating in EU) if there is a "cancellation" the Airline has to refund the full amount (so no deduction of cancellation fees).
But here https://www.emirates.com/at/english/...-updates/#3515 they are talking about a "suspension". Any difference?
My mother should come from Vienna to Dubai in a few weeks, but the flight has been "suspended". There is no status of flight in MMB, seat selection is deactivated, but there is no mention of "cancellation" and she has not received any e-mail about this.
Should she just ask for reimbursement (not the travel voucher), or should she wait a bit longer to be closer to departure date? Does she need to refer to EC 261 in order to avoid any hassle?

If the flight doesn't run, then it's cancelled. If EK choose to call it a suspension, that's up to them. However, EU laws overrule this, and a full refund is due.

A credit card charge back is also an option in some countries.

So I got a PDF copy from Emirates regarding their COVID19 Change and Refund Policy.

Scenarios:

Travel ban - where there is an explicit government notification that prohibits travel from either point of journey origin or destination.
Travel advisory - there is general government advisory against non-essential travel but no travel ban
Visa process / quarantine - Visa process which required visiting an embassy/consulate or mandatory quarantine at origin or destination
Passenger is unable to reach airport - countries which have government lockdown and passengers are unable to reach the airport
Flight cancellation - Flights cancelled where Emirates is unable to offer an alternate flight or an alternate option is not acceptable by the passenger


Refund and No-show:

Applicable refund and no-show rules / charges as per date of original ticket issue will apply
Non-refundable tickets - No refund applies, however passenger can use travel voucher option
Refundable Tickets - Applicable refund penalty if any to be charged and refund the balance or passenger can use travel voucher option

Pretty much says even if they cancel the flight, they aren't giving full refunds. They will apply the refund penalties.

More route suspensions.

From today's Gulf News

Dubai: Emirates Airlines announced the suspension of even more flights across the globe as the coronavirus continues to spread and as more and more governments ask their citizens to stay home.

The carrier said it will be suspending flights across Australia, Asia, Africa, South America, North America, and Europe. Flights to Adelaide will be suspended from March 23, as will flights to Ahmedabad, Athens, Colombo, Dusseldorf, Frankfurt, Geneva, Hamburg, Hanoi, Kolkata, Lagos, Lyon, Melbourne (via Singapore), Munich, and Paris, among others.

Flights to Bengaluru and Cochin will be suspended just until March 28.

https://...2.forkcdn.com/www/deliver...&cb=c63ef621f3Meanwhile, flights to Auckland will be suspended from March 29 till the end of June, as will flights to Bali, Cebu, Brisbane, and Christchurch. Flights to Chicago and Houston will be suspended from March 27, while flights to Brussels will be suspended from March 26.In South America, Emirates’ flights to Buenos Aires (via Rio de Janeiro) will be suspended from March 25 till late May.

They can say what they want, but their policy does not override local regulations. They will be swamped by EC261 claims if they try this on ex-EU flights.

Good for ex-EU. How about the poor souls not residing in EU.