Six British Airways Middle East Routes Are Still Paused: What It Means for Your Winter Travel

Travel Journal by Anna, Signature Escapes · Correct at 7 Oct 2026

If you have been dreaming of winter sun in Dubai or a long weekend in Amman, you may have noticed that British Airways' Middle East map looks rather thin at the moment. As of this week, six of BA's Heathrow routes to the wider Middle East remain suspended, and only one, Doha, is actually flying.

I spent more than twenty years with British Airways, latterly as a Cabin Service Director, so I have watched schedules shift for all sorts of reasons. Here is what is happening, what it means for you, and how I would approach booking a trip to the region right now.

Which routes are affected?

The six Heathrow routes still on pause are:

• Abu Dhabi
• Amman
• Bahrain
• Dubai
• Riyadh
• Tel Aviv

These services were halted earlier this year as the conflict involving Iran disrupted airspace across the Gulf. BA has consistently pointed to ongoing uncertainty in the region and unstable airspace as the reason.

It is also worth knowing that Heathrow is now the only UK airport from which BA flies to the Middle East, and that two former routes, Kuwait and Jeddah, have gone altogether. Those are permanent network decisions rather than temporary suspensions.

When are flights due to return?

Airlines in the Northern Hemisphere switch to their winter timetables at the end of October, and BA's winter schedule runs from 25 October 2026 to 27 March 2027. Most of the suspended routes are due to restart either on 25 October or in the first week of November. Here is where things stand:

• Dubai: returning, but on a reduced schedule of one to two flights a day rather than the three BA had originally planned. The A380 will not be operating the route this winter.
• Amman: due back in November.
• Riyadh and Tel Aviv: among the routes due to return as the winter schedule begins.
• Bahrain: not until late March 2027.
• Abu Dhabi: removed from BA's 2027 schedule altogether. The airline now says it expects to return in winter 2027/28.

A word from someone who has seen the inside of an airline: a flight that appears in the schedule is a plan, not a promise. Restart dates have already slipped more than once this year. With less than a month to go, the October and November returns look likely, but I would still build some flexibility into any booking.

Doha: the route that kept flying

Doha has been BA's one constant in the region, and there is a good reason. Qatar Airways is a fellow oneworld member and a joint venture partner, and BA's double daily flights are timed to connect with Qatar Airways' peak waves at Hamad International.

In practical terms, if you are heading beyond the Gulf, perhaps to the Maldives, the Indian Ocean or Asia, flying BA to Doha and connecting onwards with Qatar Airways is a smooth option, and you can earn and spend Avios along the way.

Travelling to Abu Dhabi?

With BA out of the picture until at least late 2027, Etihad is now the only airline flying nonstop between Heathrow and Abu Dhabi, with four flights a day. Etihad also flies twice daily from Manchester. Less competition can mean higher fares and fewer flexible options, so it is worth booking early if your dates are fixed.

My advice if you are booking now

1. Choose flexibility over the cheapest fare. A slightly higher fare that lets you change dates without penalty is worth its weight in gold while schedules are still settling.

2. Think about package protection. A flight-inclusive package booked through a UK travel agent normally comes with ATOL protection, and if the flight changes, someone else does the legwork of sorting it out.

3. Check the FCDO travel advice before you book and again before you travel. Travelling against official advice can affect your insurance.

4. Avoid separate tickets for connections. If one flight is retimed, a single booking protects your onward journey. Two separate tickets do not.

5. Have a plan B. If a particular date really matters, such as a birthday, anniversary or business meeting, know your alternative routing before you need it.

Or consider winter sun a little closer to home

If the uncertainty is putting you off, this could be the year to look west instead of east. Andalucía in winter is a joy: bright, mild days, quieter streets and the chance to enjoy Seville, Granada and the Costa del Sol without the summer crowds. The Canary Islands and Madeira are also dependable winter sun, all within a few hours of the UK.

Not sure what to do?

The right decision depends on why you are travelling, how fixed your dates are and how you feel about a little uncertainty. That is exactly the kind of judgement call I help my clients with. I keep an eye on schedule changes after you book, so you hear from me first, not from an automated email at midnight.

If you are weighing up a Middle East trip this winter, or would like some alternatives with the same sunshine and less guesswork, get in touch:

• Email: anna@signatureescapes.co
• Website: www.signatureescapes.co
• Join the conversation in my Facebook group: facebook.com/groups/signatureescapesuk

Information correct at the time of writing. Airline schedules can change at short notice, so please check the latest position before travelling.