Any reason, why they have resumed limited flights to DFW over IAH and SFO over LAX. Especially with both IAH and LAX having higher capacity and traffic from DXB and beyond.

It now shows no flights until Mar 29th.

Due to the currently rather good prices on Emirates, as well as Ethiad and Qatar, I am thinking to book a one-way from KUL/SIN/BKK to Barcelona for the 2nd week of April. Which of these carriers would be the best bet, in terms of cancelling the ticket if not needed in the end (or not wishing to travel due to the dynamics of the situation)? I can see some cancellation being offered as 'complimentary' on Emirates bookings, but would love to know exavtly what is involved. Would I get the money back, or a voucher, or would it be depended on some other factors?!

For those looking to capitalise on a bit of this mess, upgrades seem wide open even on close-departure itineraries J --> F.

And for those interested in the game changer routes, the following flights seem to have consistent gamechanger planes during the scaled back operation period:
ORD 235/236
HND 312/313
BRU 181/182
GVA 83/84

Wish I had booked one of these destinations!

One plane with gamechanger, A6-EQM, seems to just go wherever it wants -- SZX, CMB, BOM ...

Flights are cheap for a reason. Many flights are likely to be cancelled and the situation is still unpredictable. There are people that really need to travel that will need the limited seats that are available. Save your money and go at another time.

As mentioned above, none of these airlines are a good bet It is doubtful that the situation will return to normal within less than a month.
Book another airline avoiding the ME or risk a lot of time wasting.

It is worth noting here that the B First lounge is now being separated into Business out at the front, and first at the back.

however, as a holder of a ‘C’ gate boarding pass, access was denied today due to ‘security’ reasons.

Edit: the C First lounge GM came by a second ago to apologise for which I should be accepted for entry regardless. She offered to transport the sushi platter from B. Kind gesture.

Nobody is really answering your question (“which of these carriers would be the best bet”), so I’ll give it a go. Undoubtedly EK. They’ve been the best with regards to refunds and bookings on other airlines (from my experience with EK and QR, and reading the EY forum). If you read the respective forums you’ll get a good sense of what’s happening in each airline.

That said, outside my risk appetite. Would not recommend unless essential.

I'd like some advice, please.
I'm due to fly out from STN - DXB - AKL at the end of the month and leave for home on 16/4.
As the way things are, I can't see the situation improving any time soon, so I'm seriously considering a refund.
I've read that any travel up to 30th March can be refunded. Will that refund just be my outward fare or will it be the entire trip as it's part of the same booking?
Also, any ideas how long refunds take?

The thread about EK & refunds: https://www.flyertalk.com/forum/emir...s-refunds.html

We were set to depart mid-end March and return back mid April.
We used the refund form as suggested in above thread + the added commentaries.
Our refund was for the complete ticket. It appeared on my creditcard in 4 working days.

Applied for mine 10 days ago and nothing received yet. I will wait the recommended 21 days before trying to contact them.

I believe you can get the entire trip refunded.

On timelines, the first week of the issues the office applied for a bunch of refunds / cancellations and those were processed (monies returned) over three days, with some almost immediately. I have seen different experiences on here so YMMV.

Thank you, yes, confirmed my thinking

Just flew out DXB today. Some more data points:

- Dubai Connect operates regularly. Spent the night at JW Marquise. Low traffic on the streets.
- DXB Business Lounges are a mess at the moment. B is still closed as written by others before. With C departure we weren’t allowed in the temporary lounge in B. C9 was closed for whatsoever reasons, C20 overcrowded.
- Overall ops at DXB are straightforward and functional. Except of major closed areas in B

Still I agree with others that I would avoid all non-essential travel via ME at the moment. Air Alert via Cell Broadcast is kind of spooky if you are not used to it. The lounge situation is even for C departures very unpleasant and not up to EK standards

Noted rebook/refund period extended to 30 April. Not looking good for my trip to Jordan via DXB. Or... flights on EK to Cyprus and Malta. Oh well.