Is It Safe to Travel to Dubai Right Now?

Current situation in Dubai and the UAE

Dubai itself has not been directly targeted in the 2026 Middle East escalation. The city remains physically safe for tourists on the ground, with hotels, restaurants, and attractions continuing to operate. However, the conflict between the US-Israel coalition and Iran has fundamentally changed the aviation landscape across the Gulf region.

The strikes on Iranian military infrastructure, which began on 28 February 2026, triggered immediate airspace closures across Iran, Iraq, and parts of the Arabian Gulf. While Dubai International Airport (DXB) has not closed, flight routes that normally cross Iranian airspace have been rerouted or cancelled entirely. This affects the majority of eastbound and some European connections.

The situation remains fluid. Escalation risks include Iranian retaliation against Gulf state infrastructure, potential Houthi attacks on commercial aviation (building on their Red Sea campaign), and broader regional destabilisation. Insurance underwriters have reclassified parts of the Gulf as elevated risk zones, which has practical implications for travellers.

What does the FCDO say about travelling to the UAE?

The UK Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) issues travel advice for every country, graded from 'no advisory' through to 'do not travel'. For the UAE, the FCDO has historically maintained a relatively relaxed advisory, reflecting Dubai's status as a major international hub.

Following the February 2026 escalation, the FCDO updated its UAE advice to reflect increased regional tensions. The key changes include warnings about potential disruption to flights, advice to monitor airline communications closely, and reminders about the proximity to active conflict zones. The FCDO typically does not advise against travel to the UAE itself but may advise against travel to specific border regions.

It is critical to understand that FCDO advice directly affects your travel insurance. If you travel against FCDO advice, most standard policies will not cover you. Even if the advice falls short of 'do not travel', elevated warnings can trigger exclusion clauses in some policies.

• Check the live FCDO page: UAE Travel Advice on TravelOS (updated hourly from GOV.UK)
• Register with FCDO: Use the 'get email alerts' service on GOV.UK to receive updates for the UAE
• Check neighbouring countries too: Iran, Qatar, Bahrain, and Oman all have updated advice

Airline and airport status: Emirates, BA, Qatar Airways, and more

The aviation disruption has been the most tangible impact on Dubai-bound travellers. Here is the current picture for major carriers serving Dubai from the UK.

Emirates

Emirates, Dubai's flag carrier and the largest airline at DXB, has been forced to reroute or cancel hundreds of flights. Routes that normally traverse Iranian airspace now take significantly longer detours over Saudi Arabia or around the Arabian Sea. Some eastbound routes to Asia and Australia have been suspended entirely. Emirates has offered free rebooking and refunds for affected passengers, though processing times have been reported at 2-4 weeks.

British Airways

BA suspended its Dubai service intermittently in the first two weeks of March 2026, citing operational and safety concerns. Services have partially resumed on amended routes, adding approximately 45-90 minutes to flight times. BA has been offering flexible rebooking for passengers who no longer wish to travel.

Qatar Airways

Qatar Airways, operating from nearby Doha, has faced similar challenges. The carrier has rerouted Gulf-to-Europe flights over Saudi Arabia and Egypt, adding flight time and fuel costs. Some connections through Doha to Dubai have been affected by the general airspace congestion.

Low-cost carriers

FlyDubai and Air Arabia have cancelled a significant portion of their regional network, particularly routes to Iran, Iraq, Lebanon, and Jordan. Wizz Air Abu Dhabi has suspended several routes. Budget carriers typically have less flexibility to absorb rerouting costs, so cancellations have been more frequent than schedule amendments.

Travel insurance implications

Travel insurance is the area where the Middle East conflict has the most direct financial impact on travellers. Understanding your coverage is essential before committing to a Dubai trip right now.

Policies purchased before the conflict

If you bought your travel insurance before 28 February 2026 (before the strikes began), you are generally covered for trip cancellation and disruption caused by the conflict. This is because the event was not a 'known event' at the time of purchase. However, you must still comply with FCDO advice — if the FCDO advises against travel and you go anyway, your policy is likely void.

Policies purchased after the conflict began

Most insurers have now added exclusions for conflict-related disruption in the Gulf region. If you buy a new policy today, it is unlikely to cover cancellation due to the ongoing situation. Some specialist insurers (such as Battleface or World Nomads) may still offer conflict zone coverage at elevated premiums, but read the policy wording carefully.

What to check in your policy

1. Does your policy cover 'war and terrorism' or does it exclude them?
2. Is there a specific Gulf region or Middle East exclusion dated after February 2026?
3. Does your cancellation cover include 'travel disruption due to airspace closure'?
4. What is the claims process for flight cancellations — do you claim from the airline first?
5. Does your medical cover extend to regions with FCDO warnings?

Is Dubai safe on the ground?

Separating the aviation disruption from on-the-ground safety is important. Dubai has invested heavily in security infrastructure and has not been a target in previous regional conflicts. The city's police force, surveillance systems, and emergency response capabilities are among the most advanced in the Middle East.

Tourists who are already in Dubai report normal daily life continuing. Hotels, shopping malls, beaches, theme parks, and restaurants are all operating. The Dubai Metro and taxi services run as usual. There have been no reports of civil unrest, protests, or security incidents directed at tourists.

However, the psychological dimension matters. If you or your family would spend the entire holiday anxious about escalation, the trip will not be enjoyable regardless of the objective safety level. This is a legitimate factor in your decision.

• Dubai has never been directly attacked in any previous regional conflict
• The UAE has significant air defence systems including THAAD and Patriot batteries
• British Embassy in Abu Dhabi remains fully operational
• Emergency evacuation routes exist via Oman and Saudi Arabia by road
• Dubai Police emergency number: 999 (or 901 for tourists)

Should you cancel your Dubai trip?

This depends on your risk tolerance, the flexibility of your bookings, and when you are due to travel.

Travelling in the next 2 weeks

If your trip is imminent, check whether your flights are still operating. Contact your airline directly rather than relying on app notifications, which can lag behind operational decisions. If your flights are confirmed, the decision comes down to personal comfort with the risk level. Consider whether you have adequate insurance cover and whether you have registered with the FCDO.

Travelling in 1-3 months

You have more time to assess how the situation develops. Do not cancel proactively unless your airline or tour operator offers a free cancellation window — you may lose cancellation fees unnecessarily if the situation de-escalates. Set calendar reminders to review the FCDO advice weekly.

Travelling in 3+ months

It is too early to make a definitive call. Previous Gulf tensions (2019 tanker attacks, 2020 Soleimani assassination) resolved within weeks. The 2026 situation is more severe, but long-term predictions are unreliable. Keep your booking, monitor the situation, and make a decision closer to your departure date.

Alternative destinations if you decide not to go

If you conclude that Dubai is not the right choice right now, several destinations offer similar experiences — winter sun, luxury hotels, family-friendly activities, and reliable weather — without the Gulf region risk profile.

• Spain (Canary Islands) — Year-round sun, 4-hour flight, no geopolitical risk. Read our full alternatives guide
• Cyprus — Warm climate, beaches, water parks, direct flights from most UK airports
• Morocco — Exotic feel similar to Dubai, souks, desert experiences, 3.5-hour flight
• Oman — If you want the Gulf experience with lower profile (check FCDO advice)
• Turkey — Excellent value, family resorts, rich culture, direct flights
• Greece — Islands or mainland, outstanding food, family-friendly, well-connected

Practical steps if you still plan to go

1. Register with FCDO — Sign up for email alerts for the UAE on GOV.UK
2. Download offline maps — Google Maps offline for Dubai in case of internet disruption
3. Save emergency numbers — British Embassy Abu Dhabi: +971 2 610 1100, Dubai Police: 999
4. Copy documents — Email yourself copies of passport, insurance policy, booking confirmations
5. Check your insurance — Call your insurer and confirm Gulf coverage in writing
6. Monitor flights — Check your flight status 48 hours, 24 hours, and 6 hours before departure
7. Have a Plan B — Know what you will do if your flight is cancelled at the airport
8. Flexible accommodation — Book hotels with free cancellation where possible
9. Keep cash reserves — Card payment systems can be disrupted; carry some UAE Dirhams

Frequently asked questions

Is Dubai airport still open?

Yes, Dubai International Airport (DXB) remains open and operational. However, many flights have been cancelled or rerouted due to airspace restrictions over Iran and Iraq. Check with your specific airline for the latest schedule.

Has the FCDO said not to travel to Dubai?

As of March 2026, the FCDO has not issued a blanket 'do not travel' advisory for the UAE. However, advice has been updated to reflect heightened regional tensions. Always check the latest FCDO advice as this can change rapidly.

Will my travel insurance cover me if I go to Dubai?

If you purchased insurance before 28 February 2026, you are likely covered for conflict-related disruption, provided you comply with FCDO advice. Policies purchased after this date may exclude Gulf region conflict. Contact your insurer directly to confirm.

Can I get a refund on my Dubai holiday?

If your flight has been cancelled by the airline, you are entitled to a full refund under UK aviation regulations. Package holidays have ATOL protection. If you choose to cancel voluntarily and your flights are still operating, standard cancellation terms apply unless your insurer covers 'disinclination to travel' — most do not.

Is it safe to fly over the Gulf right now?

Airlines that are still operating Gulf routes have rerouted to avoid conflict zones. Aviation authorities (EASA, FAA, UK CAA) have issued NOTAMs restricting certain airspace. Airlines will not fly routes their safety teams have not approved. The main risk is cancellation, not mid-flight danger.

Are other Gulf countries affected too?

Yes. Qatar, Bahrain, Oman, Saudi Arabia, and Kuwait have all experienced flight disruptions to varying degrees. Check individual country advice: Qatar, Bahrain, Oman, Saudi Arabia.

What about cruises that stop in Dubai?

Several cruise lines have rerouted itineraries away from the Gulf. MSC, Royal Caribbean, and Celebrity Cruises have substituted Gulf ports with alternative stops in Oman, India, or the Red Sea. Check with your cruise line for the latest itinerary changes.

When will flights to Dubai return to normal?

This depends entirely on the geopolitical situation. After the 2019-2020 Gulf tensions, flight schedules normalised within 4-6 weeks. The 2026 situation is more severe. Most analysts expect disruption to continue for at least 2-3 months, with a gradual return to normal if no further escalation occurs.