Airports in the Persian Gulf Emirates (page 2 of 7)

Yeah, we’re flying in and out of Guangzhou and leaving from Barcelona. We’re doing a 3-month trip: 15 days at the start, then off to Japan via Hong Kong for 15 days, then Seoul via Osaka for 7 days, then Vietnam for a month, and we’ll finish with 3 weeks in China exploring new cities. I snagged an amazing Saudia deal back in December when we were in China 🙂 275 € round-trip with 23 kg checked baggage and 75% of the miles credited to my Skypass card. Plus, since I booked through Trip—a site I always use for China—they upgraded me to Diamond status, and as a gift, I got lounge access in Jeddah. You can imagine I didn’t hesitate for a second, and I was right—the deal vanished an hour later. 😉

Since I'm about 3 hours from Barcelona, I often use this airport (especially my upcoming Qatar flight to Australia 🧳) where there are lots of airlines with good fares. 275 € is definitely an error fare because it should only cover the taxes. That’s why the price was pulled after just an hour. You’re lucky you can travel for that long. For family reasons, I can’t.

I've been semi-retired for 3 years now, so I'm really enjoying life! 🙂

Hello everyone,

Allow me to remind you of the reasons and content of the message I wrote when starting this post:

"Many airlines like Qatar Airways, Emirates, and others have almost completely halted their traffic. Whether in the East or in Africa, many travelers are stranded, possibly for a long time... A heartfelt thought for them and for the struggles this will cause."

There are still, and likely will be for quite some time, some of our fellow citizens—and even members of this forum—who are stranded or will be in Asia, Africa, Australia, or at the Persian Gulf hubs, etc., "because they chose" to travel with one of the many airlines from the Gulf countries. (As many of us have done) I can’t help but think of them, imagining I could be in their shoes. We all know their return will be complicated, long, and surely well beyond their original budget.

I regret to say that I find it a bit indecent when some people come here (in this post) to talk about their upcoming trips or vacations that haven’t even started yet...

I’m also somewhat "amused" by the optimism some have about the resumption of air traffic, but that’s another topic.

The content of this message simply reflects "my opinion," knowing full well that we’re all different... of course.

Good luck, and I wish a smooth return to all those struggling to get home.

Best regards, Puma2A

Hi there, I sympathize, but I also think that right now, thousands of people are facing situations more dramatic than those of tourists stranded in the Emirates. Yes, we’re all different and react differently to events.

You shouldn’t post a public message if you have a personal feeling about something. The forum is here so everyone can share their opinion on any post, or you can send a private message to people who might have the answer you’re looking for. Everyone’s had travel struggles—cancelled flights, COVID abroad—it’s still part of traveling, and it affects those who are about to leave in the coming days, who’ve dreamed of this trip and saved for months to make it happen, only to see it possibly go up in smoke. A traveler knows that problems, no matter what kind, can happen until they’re back home—or else, they should just stay in France.

Totally agree with you, Patrick.

When I often read in private messages I get from "older" members, but also from more recent and less active ones, that they’re surprised by the low activity on the forum—here’s one explanation.

Hello,

Most of all, a heartfelt thought for the people in bombed countries who risk DYING at any moment—and who will never be repatriated themselves.

Otherwise, I can’t help but feel a mix of sympathy and sincerity for all the influencers who moved to Dubai, often badmouthing France, and who are now begging for an emergency repatriation. They’re facing real life now, and it’s not easy for them...

And of course, I can't help but feel a touch of sincere emotion for all the influencers who moved to Dubai, often badmouthing France, and who are now begging for an emergency repatriation. They're facing real life now, and it's not easy for them...

😏😏😏

Good evening,

When I often read in private messages I receive from "veteran" members, as well as more recent and less active ones, that they’re surprised by the low activity on the forum, here’s an element of the answer.

I find this answer a bit cryptic: how does the low activity on the forum have anything to do with these exchanges? As for geopolitical risks while traveling, I’ve already left a country at war—I did it on my own—and when I travel, I make sure I have enough "backup" to get home if needed, even by going the long way around the world. I don’t ask for anything, and I’ll never ask for anything from the French state, especially not from Ariane, that leash.

Michel

And of course, I can't help but feel a touch of sincere emotion for all the influencers who moved to Dubai, often badmouthing France, and who are now begging for an emergency repatriation. They're facing real life now, and it's not easy for them...

Poor things! To end up like that... 🙁

I’m not asking for anything, and I’ll never ask for anything from the French state,

Go tell that to the influencers stuck in Dubai....

Hey Puma, regarding your question about how I’d personally react—if I were stuck in Dubai or Doha, I think I’d end up getting really bored. And I’d probably implode because, personally, I don’t like long waits 🙁 Honestly, big cities with skyscrapers don’t attract me at all—I prefer old towns like Warsaw, Marrakech, or Samarkand.

In Dubai, there aren’t any noisy souks packed with people like in Marrakech—correct me if I’m wrong. Because going to the beach is all well and good (and even then, in a crisis, do you even have the means to get there?), but it gets boring. Your question has the merit of sparking other questions, like: What makes a "new city"? What is the "new world"?

Good evening,

Old Town Warsaw? 🤪 No walls to walk the dog, and not much that’s old in Warsaw. Praga, though—maybe; a forgotten gem, Praga.

Michel

The old town of Warsaw? No walls to walk the dog, and not much that's old in Warsaw.

ehhh, yes, there *is* an old town in Warsaw. I’ve been there twice. But that’s not the point. It was just an analogy on my part.

Warsaw an old town?!! (Wola? Ochota?) It was completely destroyed by the Nazis in 1944.

Yes, big headaches ahead for people stranded in the Emirates or at their final destination, unable to leave.

If you have to choose, it's better to be stuck at your final destination. Normally, the Emirates don’t exactly sell me the dream, but now even less...

One person’s misfortune is another’s gain.

Airlines (outside the Emirates) are raking in the cash by selling returns at sky-high prices to people stranded on the other side of the world.

Gas stations are hiking their prices even though they’re still selling fuel bought well before the crisis.

Dassault Aviation stocks are soaring...

I still don’t get who could be influenced by such brains.

I’d be more inclined to be wary of the products they promote, especially when it comes to aesthetics...😏

Warsaw an old town?!! (Wola? Ochota?) It was completely destroyed.

I did write that it’s a different topic, though. Please don’t stray from the main subject. By "old town," I mean a typical district.

Hi Michel,

I find this response a bit cryptic: how does the low forum activity relate to these discussions?

See the initiator’s message 24 in this thread, where they take it upon themselves to "reframe" things 😕 The whole point of a forum is to exchange ideas—you know that very well, even if digressions happen all the time.

Yes, the situation of people stranded in the Emirates is a priority and the most worrying because they’re directly facing the conflict. But I’m especially thinking of Iranians and foreigners—around 1,000 French people in Iran 😢—no one’s talking about them, and the media’s ignoring them. What solutions are there to get them out of a country under bombardment? 😢 It’s also harder for those in Qatar, Bahrain, and Kuwait 🧳. In Dubai and Abu Dhabi, a few flights have resumed, but there’s no doubt it’s still really tough to get seats 🤯🧳. Evacuation through Oman is risky, long, and expensive too.

Others are stranded all over the world with multiple issues (finding a return flight, financial, professional, family problems, visa expirations to deal with on-site, etc.). A few people who don’t have scheduling or financial worries are taking it in stride by staying a little longer than planned.

I’ve experienced this to a lesser extent during the Gulf War, when I ended up staying an extra week in Thailand unintentionally. Back then, in the fall of 1990, there was no internet and none of today’s communication tools. Patience, luck, and resilience are key.

And then there are the upcoming travelers, which seems to worry the initiator of this post the most.

They’re living day-to-day based on often daily updates from airlines. Everyone’s situation is different depending on how their trip was planned and managed.

Some booked through a travel agency, so they have someone handling everything for them. Others booked everything in a few clicks. If they have non-refundable or non-changeable services on-site, they’ll have to try to get a refund or change their dates—but for when? Good luck and hang in there 🤯🧳. In some cases, it’s unfortunately a dream that’s slipping away, maybe along with their savings 😢

As for geopolitical risks while traveling, I’ve already left a war-torn country on my own, and when I travel, I make sure I have enough "backup" to get home if needed, even by going the long way around the world. I don’t ask for anything, and I’ll never ask for anything from the French state, especially not Ariane, the ball and chain.

I’m exactly the same. I also always plan for services that can be canceled without fees up to the last minute, avoiding prepayments as much as possible, even if the cancellation terms are clear.