British Airways has restored direct flights to Dubai after an eight-month suspension that was extended because of ongoing conflict in the Middle East.
From 3 November, a daily flight leaves London Heathrow at 8pm for Dubai International for the winter season. The restart had been set for 25 October and was then delayed until 3 November. Flights to the United Arab Emirates were grounded after missile strikes between the United States and Iran at the end of February.
A BA spokesperson said the airline plans to operate two of the seven-hour and 50-minute flights a day in the summer 2027 season. BA said it is constantly reviewing the situation in the region so customers stay updated.
Flights to Abu Dhabi are still suspended. In September the airline confirmed it will not resume them until the end of next year, and it has dropped the route for the 2026/27 winter season even though it usually flies to the city. It says Abu Dhabi services are due to return next year. Etihad is the only airline now offering direct flights from the UK to Abu Dhabi, from London Heathrow and Manchester.
In October the UK government updated its travel advice for 16 countries, warning that conflict in the Middle East could disrupt travel. The notices went onto Foreign Office advice pages on 27 October for Oman, Qatar, the UAE, Pakistan, Syria, Yemen, Bahrain, Turkey, Kuwait, Jordan, Iraq, Egypt, Iran, Israel, Palestine and Saudi Arabia.
“The context in the Middle East remains deeply unpredictable, and the risk of sudden escalation is high,” the FCDO statement reads. “British nationals in, or planning to travel through, the Middle East should be prepared for possible flight cancellations, airspace closures, and travel disruptions,” it said.