142 signals tagged Middle East.
Qatar, Emirates, and Etihad report stabilized operations two months after the Iran conflict began, with specific tier extensions, flexible rebooking policies, and route ramp-up schedules detailed for each carrier
Air Canada Aeroplan is increasing award costs by 10-20% for most routes, with some seeing increases up to 67%, effective June 1, 2026
Qatar Airways is resuming daily flights to Dubai and Sharjah starting April 23, 2026, and launching daily service to Damascus on May 1, 2026, as part of its phased operational restoration
Dusit Gold members can get the second (or third) night free on stays through December 20, 2026. Public booking window is April 25–27, 2026, via dusit.com
Emirates extends its flexible cancellation and rebooking policy for flights until April 30, 2026, offering one free date change for tickets issued on or after April 2. Additionally, Skywards member tiers are extended and miles expiry is paused until June 30, 2026
Air France and KLM are offering 10,000 bonus Flying Blue miles on paid economy tickets booked from Canada to Europe. Booking window is April 22 to May 3, 2026, with travel valid through September 30, 2026
Qatar Airways has moved its Dubai and Sharjah restarts forward to April 23, delayed Los Angeles service to June 7, and extended flexible rebooking/refund policies through September 15, 2026
Qatar Airways is expanding its network, resuming service to over 150 destinations by June 16, 2026. Specific new or resumed routes include Alexandria, Kinshasa, Luanda, Marrakesh, Port Harcourt, and Seychelles with defined start dates
SkyTeam has unveiled its new flagship lounge in Frankfurt's non-Schengen Terminal 3. The 550 sqm facility seats 126 guests and offers premium amenities for eligible passengers
ALL Signature members can save up to 25% on select Accor hotels in Brazil. Book by April 17, 2026, for stays between May 4 and November 17, 2026
Chase Ultimate Rewards is offering a 70% bonus when transferring points to IHG One Rewards. The promotion runs from April 1 through April 30, 2026, with unlimited transfers allowed
Marriott offers 20% off Escapes for Bonvoy members and 15% for non-members on stays May 1–17, 2026. Book by Sunday; advance booking required 5 days prior
Aegean Airlines offers 15-30% off economy fares for travel between May 5 and October 22, 2026. Book by April 21, 2026. Excludes specific Middle East routes and Chios/Leros/Milos/Naxos/Zakynthos
Qatar's Aviation Authority announced the gradual lifting of restrictions on foreign carriers operating at Doha Hamad International Airport, allowing them to transport passengers and cargo again
Minor Hotels and NH Hotels are offering up to 35% off for GHA Discovery members. Book by April 26 for stays between April 27 and September 30, 2026
Qatar Airways is expanding its network with new services to San Francisco (June 11), Seattle (April 16), and several European and Asian destinations, bringing total destinations to over 120 by mid-June
Beond Airlines has suspended all flights between the Maldives and Europe for the summer season, with service potentially resuming in October. The airline is offering flexible rebooking or refunds to affected customers
Lufthansa and its unions are pausing strikes for next week to begin negotiations, ending a week of near-total grounding. The airline also suspended Cityline operations immediately
Etihad offers Silver or Gold status for new or low-tier members booking return flights from Asia/Middle East to Abu Dhabi between April 16-30, 2026, with travel through July 15
Jumeirah's Burj Al Arab in Dubai has closed effective immediately for an 18-month full renovation led by interior architect Tristan Auer, marking the property's first major refresh since 1999
Lufthansa Group pilots will strike April 13-14, 2026, grounding most flights departing from Germany. Eurowings pilots strike only on April 13. Middle East routes remain largely unaffected
GHA Discovery members earn triple Discovery Dollars on eligible stays at JA Resorts in the UAE from April 15 to May 31, 2026, with total earnings ranging from 12% to 21% based on status
Qatar Airways is adding service to 27 new destinations by mid-June 2026, including Seattle, San Francisco, and Geneva, bringing its total network to over 120 cities
Etihad Airways is expanding its China network from one to six destinations, increasing weekly flights from 7 to 35. New routes to Shanghai, Guangzhou, Hangzhou, Chengdu, and Shenzhen launch between October 2026 and March 2027
Dubai Airports has restricted foreign airlines to one rotation per day through May 31, 2026, citing capacity constraints. The policy disproportionately impacts high-frequency carriers like Indian airlines
Qatar Airways is adding new services to San Francisco, Seattle, and several African/Middle Eastern cities starting in April and May 2026, bringing its total destinations to over 120 by mid-June
Emirates has extended its flexible cancellation and refund policy for flights until April 30, 2026, offering one free date change for tickets issued on or after April 2. Additionally, Skywards member tiers are extended and miles expiry is paused until June 30, 2026
United is rolling out a new base fare option for long-haul Business and Premium Economy cabins. These fares are non-refundable, require paid seat selection, exclude Polaris lounge access, and do not earn Premier Qualifying Flights (PQF)
Emirates and Flydubai have stabilized operations at roughly 70% of pre-war levels, with specific flight counts for April 2-3. Emirates has extended Skywards tier validity and paused miles expiry until June 30, 2026, while extending flexible cancellation policies until April…
Etihad is operating 80 daily flights from Abu Dhabi as it recovers from its Iran War suspension, reaching roughly 40% of pre-war capacity with increased frequencies and aggressive sales
Etihad Airways plans to reconfigure its Airbus A321LR fleet by 2027, reducing business class seats from 14 to 6 and adding 42 economy seats, while retaining a two-seat first class cabin
Beond Airlines plans to launch three new routes from the Maldives to London Heathrow, Paris CDG, and Moscow Sheremetyevo via Dubai in December 2026, operating 3x weekly on A319/A321 aircraft
American Airlines is rolling out mattress pads to all international Flagship branded business class flights and flights to Hawaii starting late March 2026, expanding on the summer 2025 rollout
Sri Lanka is in preliminary talks with Emirates and Qatar Airways to use its underutilized Mattala Rajapaksa International Airport as an alternative hub amid Middle East conflict disruptions
American Airlines is confirming Systemwide Upgrades (SWUs) for eligible premium economy international tickets booked by March 18, 2026, for travel in August 2026, provided business class seats are for sale
Dubai has suspended landing permissions for all foreign airlines at DXB and DWC until further notice following a drone strike on airport fuel tanks. Emirates is adding refueling stops to some flights
Etihad Airways will launch twice-daily flights between Abu Dhabi and Chicago O'Hare (ORD) starting June 15, 2026, operating with Airbus A350-1000s
Royal Jordanian is matching elite status from select airlines and hotels to its Gold Sparrow tier (oneworld Sapphire) for $149. Hotel status matches to Sapphire are limited to March 9-15, 2026
Iran fired a missile near Dubai International Airport on March 7, 2026, halting operations. Emirates resumed limited service. Iran's president announced a suspension of attacks on neighboring countries, offering hope for network recovery
Jet fuel prices have doubled to around $4 per gallon due to geopolitical tensions, prompting airlines like United, Delta, and American to warn of immediate fare increases and profit pressure
An Iranian drone struck Dubai International Airport Terminal 3, causing damage and injuries. DXB is closed until at least 3 PM local time on Sunday, March 1, 2026
Following the US and Israel attack on Iran, major Gulf carriers like Emirates and Qatar Airways have suspended flights due to airspace closures, causing widespread cancellations and diversions
