AF out of Dubai
May 3, 2026 | 2:20 am
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: May 2004
Location: Raleigh-Durham
Programs: HH Diamond; Marriott Gold; AA Platinum
Posts: 795
AF out of Dubai
Initially they were to resume flights from May 6 and then they pushed it back to May 8. I have flights out on AF metal DXB - CDG - RDU on the May 27. 3 weeks away but still wondering if I should have a 2nd option ready.
May 3, 2026 | 3:23 am
#2
Join Date: Apr 2014
Location: LAX SNA
Posts: 895
If you have status with AFKL, it will help you get rerouted even on to a non-alliance airline but you will not be covered under duty of care either way. I would get a backup but unless your backup is on Emirates, you will have issues with a different airline. BA/LH/LX are not operating through June for BA and July for LH/LX.
Last edited by hsumh316; May 3, 2026 at 3:33 am
May 3, 2026 | 3:38 am
#3
Original Poster
Join Date: May 2004
Location: Raleigh-Durham
Programs: HH Diamond; Marriott Gold; AA Platinum
Posts: 795
If you have status with AFKL, it will help you get rerouted even on to a non-alliance airline but you will not be covered under duty of care either way. I would get a backup but unless your backup is on Emirates, you will have issues with a different airline. BA/LH/LX are not operating through June for BA and July for LH/LX.
May 3, 2026 | 7:46 am
#4
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jul 2006
Location: Hong Kong, France
Programs: FB , BA Gold/OW emerald, QR
Posts: 17,049
AF has pushed suspension till 10 May, but AF flights are zeroed out until 17May.
I doubt that AF will resume soon.
But given the very low loads on EK and their need to maintain a solid flight schedule to keep some reputation, I think that it will be easy for AF to reroute the few pax booked on AF655 on EK.
I doubt that AF will resume soon.
But given the very low loads on EK and their need to maintain a solid flight schedule to keep some reputation, I think that it will be easy for AF to reroute the few pax booked on AF655 on EK.
May 4, 2026 | 3:31 am
#5
Join Date: Feb 2001
Location: here and there...
Posts: 4,360
I find the AF approach here quite problematic on TLV they do the same.
Continually rolling forward their return date is one thing, but they always zero flights out ahead of time - clearly not intending to operate them - but dont just cancel so you can rebook.
On TLVCDG they codeshare with LY but by the time they cancel LY is often sold out.
Continually rolling forward their return date is one thing, but they always zero flights out ahead of time - clearly not intending to operate them - but dont just cancel so you can rebook.
On TLVCDG they codeshare with LY but by the time they cancel LY is often sold out.
May 9, 2026 | 7:14 am
#7
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jul 2006
Location: Hong Kong, France
Programs: FB , BA Gold/OW emerald, QR
Posts: 17,049
As you are probably aware the UAE have suffered further missiles/drones attacks recently.
Apparently AF has pushed back the restart to 22 May. That could be pushed back further.
All flights operated by 772 with low current loads.
Apparently AF has pushed back the restart to 22 May. That could be pushed back further.
All flights operated by 772 with low current loads.
May 9, 2026 | 9:48 am
#8
Join Date: Aug 2023
Location: Western Europe
Programs: Flying Blue Platinum
Posts: 316
AF regularly updates its planning: almost every week, they extend the no-flight period. They've done this approximately 13 times since the beginning of the war.
At one point they will eventually restart, but it's hard to say when.
May 9, 2026 | 5:32 pm
#9
Join Date: Jun 2012
Posts: 145
So far, AF has canceled flights up to May 21, but I wouldn't see this as an indication that flights will likely restart the day after.
AF regularly updates its planning: almost every week, they extend the no-flight period. They've done this approximately 13 times since the beginning of the war.
At one point they will eventually restart, but it's hard to say when.
AF regularly updates its planning: almost every week, they extend the no-flight period. They've done this approximately 13 times since the beginning of the war.
At one point they will eventually restart, but it's hard to say when.
May 10, 2026 | 3:45 am
#10
Join Date: Jun 2011
Location: FRA/SXB
Programs: FB Silver; Accor Silver
Posts: 4,239
But I would expect the cancellation of AF flights to continue, as it is directly linked to the war in Iran, which seems to have no near-term resolution.
May 12, 2026 | 8:27 am
#13
Join Date: Jun 2012
Posts: 145
I contacted AF on WhatsApp and managed to get rebooked on EK to Lyon and then AF to Rennes my final destination.
Very good outcome though I had to insist as initially they didn't want to rebook on any other airline before 48h before flight and only on Saudia.
Very good outcome though I had to insist as initially they didn't want to rebook on any other airline before 48h before flight and only on Saudia.
Yesterday | 1:15 pm
#14
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2003
Location: MSY, BJX, QRO; previously NYC, BOS, AUH
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Posts: 18,360
I just booked AF IAD-CDG-DXB in J for mid-July. I have no status with AF or its partners. Is it safe to assume that they also will be willing to rebook me on EK (or QR or EY to AUH) if need be to get me there (or reasonably close, in the case of EY to AUH, which actually would be my preference).