The skies over the Gulf just got a whole lot quieter, at least if you’re flying British Airways. Over the weekend, British Airways suspends its flights to Dubai (DXB), Doha (DOH), and Bahrain (BAH), citing safety concerns amid escalating tensions in the Middle East. Cue: confused passengers, mid-air U-turns, and a flurry of last-minute rebookings. Whether you’re an AvGeek glued to Flightradar24 or just trying to get home from a sun-soaked trip to Dubai, here’s what’s going on and why this sudden suspension might be the start of a longer disruption.
What It Means For Travellers, AvGeeks and Anyone Who Was Supposed to Be in the Sky This Weekend
In This Post
What’s Going On?
British Airways abruptly pulled the plug on services to the Gulf on Saturday night following a sharp escalation in Middle East tensions. The trigger? A series of US airstrikes on Iranian nuclear facilities prompted BA (and dozens of other carriers) to reconsider the safety of flying over the region.
In short, the airspace got too hot to handle.
BA grounded flights to:
- Dubai (DXB)
- Doha (DOH)
- Bahrain (BAH)
Some flights had already taken off when the decision came down BA109 turned back to Heathrow after flying for 9 hours, and another was diverted to Zurich. BA109 was already well into its journey when it turned back to Heathrow. Why? Because it likely approached restricted airspace over Iran or Iraq, and BA wasn’t willing to risk a reroute mid-route without guarantees.
Rather than land in Dubai from the wrong direction or refuel somewhere like Muscat or Kuwait, they played it safe and spent 9 hours in the air for absolutely nowhere.
Why This Matters
Unlike weather delays or tech snags, this is a geo-political reroute with wider consequences. The last time BA pulled flights to the Gulf en masse was during heightened tensions over Iranian missile launches in 2020. But this time, with more passengers, more routes and summer peak underway, things are a lot messier.
The suspension runs through at least Monday, 24 June, but depending on what happens next, it could stretch even longer.
What’s BA Saying?
British Airways has issued a statement after it suspends flights, that boils down to:
“Safety first, we’re monitoring the situation, and here’s a travel waiver.”
If you were due to fly to or from DXB, DOH or BAH between 22 and 24 June, you can now:
- Change your flight date for free, up to 4 July
- Rebook online or call BA (if you enjoy holding music and looped, apologies)
- Consider alternate Gulf airports, but don’t expect empty seats this week
So What Happens to All the Stranded Passengers?
Over 1,000 BA passengers in Dubai alone are currently stuck in the Emirates without a return leg. Some have rebooked on Emirates, while others are hoping for last-minute reinstatements, and a few are checking Google Maps for how long it would take to walk back.
Flyertalk threads are flooded with reports of:
- Confused BA staff at DXB check-in
- Passengers getting rebooked on partner airlines (Qatar, Etihad, even Turkish)
- Flights “showing in app then vanishing again.”
- A lot of sighing, tweeting, and airport lounge overnights
What About Other Airlines?
This isn’t just a BA story. Air France, KLM, Lufthansa, American Airlines, JAL and others are rerouting or cancelling Gulf flights, especially those that typically fly over Iranian airspace.
This means:
- Longer flight times
- Higher fuel bills
- Scheduling chaos
- And yes, more delays
What Should You Do If You’re Booked?
Here’s your cockpit checklist:
- Check your booking status on the BA app or website
- If you’re affected, use the travel waiver to rebook
- If stranded in DXB/DOH/BAH, ask for rebooking on a partner airline
- Save receipts for hotels, meals, and taxis you might get reimbursed
- Keep tabs on EU261 rights, especially if departing from the UK/EU
- (And don’t be shy about asking for lounge access if you’re in limbo. BA has quietly authorised this before in disruption scenarios.)
Final Approach
This latest disruption shows just how fast the skies can shift literally. When politics flare up, even a trusted DXB red-eye can become a ghost flight. For BA, it’s a tough blow at the height of summer schedules. For passengers, it’s a lesson in flexibility (and patience).
Whether flights resume on 25 June or not, keep your boarding pass close and your travel alerts closer.
TL;DR
- British Airways suspended flights to DXB, DOH and BAH on 22 June
- Flight BA109 to Dubai turned back mid-air after 9 hours
- US airstrikes in Iran triggered widespread rerouting and cancellations
- Travel waivers are now in place for bookings between 22–24 June
- Over 1,000 BA passengers stranded in Dubai alone
Keep the Miles Rolling:
