Qatar is under siege from its Arab neighbors, and that includes Qatar Airways, which has been banned from landing in the UAE (including Dubai and Abu Dhabi), Saudi Arabia, Bahrain and Egypt, following those countries cutting diplomatic ties with Qatar.
Qatar itself is within the Bahrain flight information region (FIR), so Bahrain, while permitting Qatar Airways flights in and out, is restricting Qatar to two corridors, which can be seen below in the live flight patterns. Since we're getting quite a few reader questions (thankfully no TravelSort award clients are booked on Qatar in the near future) here's a FAQ based on what we know at time of writing.
FAQ
Are Qatar Flights Between Doha and the U.S., Europe, Asia or Australia Affected?
Currently Qatar flights between Doha and the U.S., Doha and Europe and Doha and Asia / Australia will still fly, and are not restricted. The main difference is that these flights are likely to be longer, due to not being able to use Saudi airspace, and instead needing to pass over Iran and Turkey.
Have All Qatar Flights Between Doha and Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Bahrain and Egypt Been Cancelled?
For flights on Tuesday June 6, yes–all these flights have been cancelled until further notice. Passengers on these flights may rebook for a date starting June 10 up to 30 days after their confirmed flight date, free of charge, or refund the unused portion of their ticket, free of charge (excluding the service fee, which is non-refundable).
My Qatar Ticket is Booked with AAdvantage Miles; Can AA Find Award Space on Another Airline?
Keep in mind that AAdvantage is not able to force partner airlines to open award space. So if you can't fly your original Qatar flight and can't find available alternative AAdvantage award space that works for you, your only option is a refund of your miles and taxes paid.
If I Booked via Qatar, Can Qatar Put Me On a Etihad or Emirates Flight Given My Flight Departs the UAE?
Highly unlikely; your best chance is to find an alternative British Airways flight, since Qatar owns a stake in British Airways parent IAG. Flyertalker FlyingSalami was offered a rerouted ticket on British Airways, but chose a refund.
What Should I Do if My Qatar Flight is in a Few Weeks?
Since a lot could change in a few days, and Qatar Airways' call center certainly won't know what the situation could be like, I'd refrain from calling now. Qatar has a vested interest in negotiating a reopening of diplomatic relations with its neighbors and reopening its air, land and sea routes as soon as possible. Keep monitoring the Qatar Airways Travel Alerts page for updates.
If My Flight is Cancelled by Qatar Airways, Will I Be Reimbursed for Hotel and Other Costs?
No, and this is not just Qatar. The most any airline will reimburse is for the flight itself, not consequential damages, although sometimes a goodwill gesture in the form of a travel voucher or frequent flyer points is offered.
Will My Travel Insurance Cover Me?
Check your travel insurance terms. If you purchased more expensive “cancel for any reason” insurance you'll have coverage, but otherwise, most travel insurance will not cover cancellations caused by the severing of diplomatic ties.
Why This Diplomatic Rift Now?
I'll leave it to the political analysts for a more detailed explanation, but a short summary is that leaders in Saudi Arabia and the UAE have, for years, deplored Qatar's support for certain Islamist movements, particularly the Muslim Brotherhood and Hamas. In Syria, Qatar has been supporting groups seeking to overthrow Assad, including indirect assistance to al-Qaeda affiliate groups by providing ransom payments for hostage releases. Qatar maintains it does not directly back any violent terrorist groups.
The conflict between Qatar and its neighbors escalated recently, when Qatar claimed its state news agency had been hacked, denying the legitimacy of comments allegedly made by Qatari emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani expressing support for the Muslim Brotherhood and calling Iran “a regional and Islamic power that cannot be ignored.” Despite Qatar's claim of the hacking, Saudi and UAE news sources repeatedly broadcast the remarks. The rift hasn't been helped by Trump's visit to Saudi Arabia, supporting Saudi leadership in united Arab states against Tehran and Iranian influence.
Do you have Qatar Airways tickets for upcoming travel? What do you plan to do?
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