Anyone hoping to escape the cold in Dubai this winter had a bitter pill to swallow this week. KLM is canceling all flights to the popular Gulf state through March 27, 2027, due to ongoing tensions in the Middle East.
Still, your winter sun vacation doesn’t have to be completely canceled. There are still airlines flying directly from Schiphol. But what does this mean for your booking, and what are you legally entitled to?
How can you still get to Dubai this winter?
Don’t cancel your travel plans: you can still get to Dubai this winter without any problems via other airlines. From Schiphol and Brussels, Emirates offers the fastest option with multiple direct flights per day.
In addition, there are two tried-and-true connecting routes that continue to operate reliably:
- Turkish Airlines: offers flexible flight times and competitive fares with a layover in Istanbul.
- Qatar Airways: offers a comfortable direct flight via Doha to the Emirates.
That trip will, however, take a bit longer than you’re used to. By avoiding the airspace over Iraq and Iran, planes are taking a detour, adding about 45 to 90 minutes to the travel time. Also, act fast if you still need to book. KLM’s withdrawal is immediately driving up both demand and prices among its competitors.
Already booked a KLM ticket? Here are your options
If you already have a ticket to Dubai, don’t panic right away—and above all, don’t click “cancel” in the app yourself. If you do, you’ll be subject to the ticket’s standard cancellation terms and risk losing money. Wait until KLM officially removes your flight from the system and contacts you. Once that happens, you’re legally entitled to two clear options.
If you still want to travel, ask KLM to rebook you free of charge to a different date or with a partner airline. Never just buy an expensive replacement ticket, because you’ll rarely be reimbursed for those costs. If you decide not to travel, simply opt for a full refund. KLM often tries to entice you with a travel voucher first through customer service or email.
Don’t be misled: you always have the right to refuse that voucher and demand a full refund of the purchase price into your bank account within seven days.
Are you entitled to compensation from KLM?
Many travelers hope that, in the event of a canceled flight, European regulations will provide some financial relief. In this case, however, the 600-euro compensation won’t be paid. Because the cancellations are a direct result of the security situation and closed airspace corridors, KLM has successfully invoked force majeure. After all, security risks lie outside an airline’s direct sphere of influence.
Be sure to keep those two financial aspects clearly separate. While you may miss out on additional compensation, you’re still absolutely entitled to 100 percent of your ticket price or a fully equivalent alternative. So never let customer service fob you off with the argument that “due to the geopolitical situation, everything is canceled.” Your right to a refund or a new flight is rock-solid.
