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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Anyone else in Dubai on holiday? AIBU to be panicking with all the flights cancelled?

996 replies

tiantian1005 · 28/02/2026 17:12

Not sure when we can go home..anyone has managed to for example drive to nearby countries and fly from there?

OP posts:
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34
Jhha · 28/02/2026 23:03

I'm worried for my family who live and work there.

Woodfiresareamazing · 28/02/2026 23:03

NotMeAtAll · 28/02/2026 17:53

Muscat isn't far and is open. Flights are routed over Oman to avoid the Persian Gulf, and Egypt to avoid Israel.

It's not open.

I've read reports saying all Gulf area airports are closed...

Daytimetellyqueen · 28/02/2026 23:07

Thinking of everyone caught up in this. Equally wishing strongly for a free Iran - the people have been speaking loudly & we should be supporting them in their bid to get out from under the horrendous IRGC.

Takoneko · 28/02/2026 23:07

Woodfiresareamazing · 28/02/2026 23:03

It's not open.

I've read reports saying all Gulf area airports are closed...

Flight radar shows flights still taking off. No guarantee that they will continue to do so though.

SingingWaffleDoggy · 28/02/2026 23:08

Woodfiresareamazing · 28/02/2026 23:03

It's not open.

I've read reports saying all Gulf area airports are closed...

According to flight radar there have been some flights leaving including this one bound for London. Although it’s transponder looks to be playing up

Anyone else in Dubai on holiday? AIBU to be panicking with all the flights cancelled?
EmeraldShamrock000 · 28/02/2026 23:09

Terrible for the innocent people, thinking of those impacted by the fall out from big boots America. Iran wasn’t going to continue to be bombed and bullied without retaliation.

Springspring8 · 28/02/2026 23:09

Springspring8 · 28/02/2026 22:40

Look for emergency exits wherever you are.

Grab a hand towel/sarong in case of dust/smoke.

When you look at the size of the city versus the number of strikes the situation isn’t terrible . Just turn the fear into action to be prepared.

Didn’t catch this to edit in time. Didn’t mean to sound flippant or minimize, but some of the media reporting makes it sound as if the city is blitzed and ablaze.

Spookyspaghetti · 28/02/2026 23:10

LochKatrine · 28/02/2026 22:57

They're certainly celebrating in London and elsewhere in Europe, and, from what I can see, Iran as well.

I’m sure ordinary Iranians will be pleased as they have been trying to free themselves from tyranny for decades.

I’m pointing out that Trump is not breaking international law out of altruism but because many people around the world now believe him to have facilitated a pedo at best or to be be a child rapist at worst based on the small amount of files the DOJ has released so far.

There is also the real possibility that this will cause a wider continuing regional conflict which is clearly going to be a problem for the many British expats now living and working in the region.

LittleBigSister · 28/02/2026 23:14

Many thanks to all those giving updates re the situation in Dubai
I have family on a brief stay there and the MN posts, tho often worrying have been helpful to them (and me in UK) in what feels and is a scary and semi-isolating situation.
Important too have been the helpful suggestions for foreigners in this type of situation Re advice from the Foreign Office. I did not spot sufficient links, so adding them here https://www.register.service.csd.fcdo.gov.uk/united-arab-emirates-20260228/tell-the-uk-government-youre-in-united-arab-emirates
Additionally its possible to sign up for email updates - https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/united-arab-emirates/email-signup
Just sending love, hope and calm courage to all who are troubled by this situation - may you all come out of this safe, well and stronger, perhaps even having better understanding and compassion for those not so fortunate

Tell the UK government you're in United Arab Emirates – Register your presence abroad

https://www.register.service.csd.fcdo.gov.uk/united-arab-emirates-20260228/tell-the-uk-government-youre-in-united-arab-emirates

Takoneko · 28/02/2026 23:14

@LochKatrine Forgive my pessimism, but I can vividly remember the Iraqi celebrations after the toppling of Saddam Hussein’s regime in 2003. What followed was not peace, prosperity and democracy. The Iranians may be celebrating Khameni’s fall now, but this is far from over.

LochKatrine · 28/02/2026 23:16

Takoneko · 28/02/2026 23:14

@LochKatrine Forgive my pessimism, but I can vividly remember the Iraqi celebrations after the toppling of Saddam Hussein’s regime in 2003. What followed was not peace, prosperity and democracy. The Iranians may be celebrating Khameni’s fall now, but this is far from over.

I never said it was over. I am not naive.

Carla786 · 28/02/2026 23:17

Abricot1983 · 28/02/2026 22:48

More home grown uk problems than uae

The UAE's huge unethical issues shouldn't be underplayed.

This thread isn't the place for that discussion.

Woodfiresareamazing · 28/02/2026 23:18

SingingWaffleDoggy · 28/02/2026 23:08

According to flight radar there have been some flights leaving including this one bound for London. Although it’s transponder looks to be playing up

A friend's son and his gf are in Dubai, returning from a 3 month sabbatical around Japan, Vietnam etc.
They have been told there are no flights leaving from anywhere, and to stay in their hotel.

It's a very volatile situation.

Abricot1983 · 28/02/2026 23:20

Carla786 · 28/02/2026 23:17

The UAE's huge unethical issues shouldn't be underplayed.

This thread isn't the place for that discussion.

And you shouldn’t be dictating what people can write on a post

Carla786 · 28/02/2026 23:21

Phew, it looks like he is dead! Was it worth this though?
Khameini was 86, I thought he was much younger. Surely he wouldn't have lasted much longer?

I hope the royal family can establish a constitutional democracy but we shall see..

AtIusvue · 28/02/2026 23:26

One killed at Abu Dhabi airport

Frostyontheline · 28/02/2026 23:29

Carla786 · 28/02/2026 23:21

Phew, it looks like he is dead! Was it worth this though?
Khameini was 86, I thought he was much younger. Surely he wouldn't have lasted much longer?

I hope the royal family can establish a constitutional democracy but we shall see..

😔

Carla786 · 28/02/2026 23:34

Abricot1983 · 28/02/2026 23:20

And you shouldn’t be dictating what people can write on a post

I'm not dictating what you should write on this topic on MN I'm saying this thread isn't the place for am ethical debate.
I don't think pp should have brought up apartheid either, it's not the place for it on this thread, where people are in physical fear...

FrozenFebruary · 28/02/2026 23:39

Mumtobabyhavoc · 28/02/2026 21:20

What a shitty comment.

Yes, isn't it!

I wouldn't holiday there, but I have transited there in the past.

I have a friend who lives there on & off, but thankfully she's not there at the moment.

I feel very sorry for anyone there who is scared & wants to leave & for anyone who has loved ones there 💕

OneFunBrickNewt · 28/02/2026 23:45

It's one missile on a building, and probably a few days' delay to peoples' holidays. Yes it's worrying, but not on the scale of Gaza or other areas of the world. I'm more shocked by the Israeli missile strike on the Iranian school killing 100+ civilians.
That said, I'd like to see regime change in Iran as it's an awful, wicked government. Although if the Iranians could knock out a few US warships and planes- just equipment, no humans- and possibly Netanyahu and some of the more extremist members of his cabinet before losing, even better. Regime change in Iran could be the one good thing either Trump or Netanyahu achieves, but if they get a bloody nose whilst doing it, it might make either man think twice before engaging in more military madness.

TLDR: I want them all to lose, but Iran to lose more.

83048274j · 28/02/2026 23:47

OneFunBrickNewt · 28/02/2026 23:45

It's one missile on a building, and probably a few days' delay to peoples' holidays. Yes it's worrying, but not on the scale of Gaza or other areas of the world. I'm more shocked by the Israeli missile strike on the Iranian school killing 100+ civilians.
That said, I'd like to see regime change in Iran as it's an awful, wicked government. Although if the Iranians could knock out a few US warships and planes- just equipment, no humans- and possibly Netanyahu and some of the more extremist members of his cabinet before losing, even better. Regime change in Iran could be the one good thing either Trump or Netanyahu achieves, but if they get a bloody nose whilst doing it, it might make either man think twice before engaging in more military madness.

TLDR: I want them all to lose, but Iran to lose more.

It's hard to know what's real and what's not in the modern news age, but sounds like a number of international airports hit, including Dubai and Abu Dhabi. That might delay things somewhat, if that's correct.

ClickBeat · 01/03/2026 00:01

OneFunBrickNewt · 28/02/2026 23:45

It's one missile on a building, and probably a few days' delay to peoples' holidays. Yes it's worrying, but not on the scale of Gaza or other areas of the world. I'm more shocked by the Israeli missile strike on the Iranian school killing 100+ civilians.
That said, I'd like to see regime change in Iran as it's an awful, wicked government. Although if the Iranians could knock out a few US warships and planes- just equipment, no humans- and possibly Netanyahu and some of the more extremist members of his cabinet before losing, even better. Regime change in Iran could be the one good thing either Trump or Netanyahu achieves, but if they get a bloody nose whilst doing it, it might make either man think twice before engaging in more military madness.

TLDR: I want them all to lose, but Iran to lose more.

In terms of verified hits it's a fair bit more than that?.
Although yes hopefully it will be short lived and people will be able to fly home soon

Kalanthe · 01/03/2026 00:02

Takoneko · 28/02/2026 23:14

@LochKatrine Forgive my pessimism, but I can vividly remember the Iraqi celebrations after the toppling of Saddam Hussein’s regime in 2003. What followed was not peace, prosperity and democracy. The Iranians may be celebrating Khameni’s fall now, but this is far from over.

Even worse things happened after Gaddafi got removed from Libya. I don’t have high hopes for Iran either

Aichek · 01/03/2026 00:22

As a veteran of a number of conflicts in the region:

-Register with the embassy but remember they are not miracle workers and their local staff are under the same shelter in place guidelines. No one is going to send a helicopter.

-Flights usually start up again quite quickly. I always keep an eye on El Al (the Israeli airline) who are often quick off the mark.

-Bur remember a lot of planes and crew will now be in the wrong place and there is backlog. It might still be some time.

-Statistically, your chances of being hit are very very minimal. But I would still stay away from very obvious western aligned places like very fancy hotels or malls and keep your curtains drawn. Know your exits (this is good practice in any hotel).

-I always have a grab bag when I travel and am the chillest person ever. There's no harm in it and make sure you include spare pants!

-Misinformation is rife. Only check official or reputable news stories.

-Don't try and drive out. Borders are some of the worst places to be. This is especially true if you don't speak Arabic.

Hopefully you can chalk it up to a few annoying days in the not too distant future.

Screamingabdabz · 01/03/2026 00:23

Paraguay · 28/02/2026 21:12

Little sympathy for anyone who chooses to go to Dubai

Some of us are worried for relatives who are there for various reasons. Why would post such a cuntish comment?