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Original poster

Would you transfer flights in the UAE?

56 replies

Flying24 · 26/12/2023 20:56

We want to travel to Asia and it seems many flights change in the UAE. DH is uneasy about transferring there. Would you do it?

OP posts:
Stringagal · 26/12/2023 20:59

Why’s he uneasy? I mean, it’s the last place I’d want to go on holiday, but the airport is beautiful, safe, and perfectly fine for waiting around for a transfer. I don’t understand the issue.

InAMess2023 · 26/12/2023 21:01

It's just like any other large airport anywhere across the world... don't see why it would be an issue! Oh apart from the £12 pints 🤣

MNHQ
LivMumsnet · 26/12/2023 21:01

Hi there @Flying24, we've moved your thread to the Holidays forum now. Hope that helps.

StillWantingADog · 26/12/2023 21:01

Yes I would. Probably one of the better places to change planes.

my dh wouldn’t because he has significant moral issues with pretty much anything to do with the UAE. Neither of us would holiday there, I’d take a plane via Dubai if it was the best option. Neither of us would have safety concerns though

Anonomom12 · 26/12/2023 21:01

Done it many times. The airports are some of the best in the world. Loads to do there if you’re stuck for any period of time. Literally nothing to worry about at all

Original poster
Flying24 · 26/12/2023 21:05

He’s mentioning the fact a lady once got arrested for the sesame seeds on the buns… I think I vaguely remember it?

And yes just from a moral standpoint of not supporting those regimes.

The problem is the only other feasible option is changing in China which I have done a few times before and it’s awful, so stressful.

OP posts:
QueSyrahSyrah · 26/12/2023 21:08

I would not in a million years holiday in the UAE but I've transferred in both Doha and Dubai and both were absolutely fine.

ElevenSeven · 26/12/2023 21:09

They are massive travel hubs. Their airports put the UK to
shame tbh

blondieminx · 26/12/2023 21:11

I went to Japan changing planes in Dubai - it was fine! Very well organised.

mollycobb · 26/12/2023 21:12

I think he means poppy seeds 😂

Big clean efficient airports to change at for flying East. Just don't carry any co-codamol, poppy seed bagels or sex toys in your luggage.

Ponderingwindow · 26/12/2023 21:14

Not a chance in heck

DollyDaydreamW · 26/12/2023 21:17

We went through Doha and it was awful on the way in. We were literally bundled off the plane, crammed onto a rickety un-airconditioned bus to trundle across the runways through a load of construction works. We nearly missed this bus because I couldn't understand the guy literally shouting into our faces which people needed to get on it, and was sweating like a pig by the time we made the connection. Not good at all, because I am a Special Passenger and should get assistance at every step of the journey.

However, it was fine on the way back. Full of very very very rich Middle Eastern people who smell of rose, oud and amazing scents. High end stores. I was charged £27 for crisps and two chocolate from an airside shop, which nearly killed me with shock 😂

MrsTerryPratchett · 26/12/2023 21:29

I mean if the choice is China or UAE there's not much to separate them in terms of morals!

I wouldn't holiday there but I would change planes.

PamelaParis · 26/12/2023 21:33

He sounds like a bit of an idiot. I'd rather transfer in the UAE than China!

LaPalmaLlama · 26/12/2023 21:40

Honestly, people that only want to go to liberal democracies are going to find themselves with an ever shrinking choice of holiday destination. UAE over China anytime for efficiency and user friendliness. I used to live in China so not anti China by any means but Dubai/ Abu Dhabi is just easier as they just understand their role as hubs. Also consider Istanbul/ amazing transfer.

Ponderingwindow · 26/12/2023 21:55

It’s not about only wanting to travel to liberal democracies. It a woman is assaulted in the airport, she can be accused of a crime. In Qatar they decided to give all the women on one flight vaginal exams when a baby was found abandoned in the airport. Sure, the odds might be low, but why risk putting yourself in a position where the justice system automatically views you and your body as the perpetrator?

StiffyByngsDogBartholomew · 26/12/2023 22:02

Ponderingwindow · 26/12/2023 21:55

It’s not about only wanting to travel to liberal democracies. It a woman is assaulted in the airport, she can be accused of a crime. In Qatar they decided to give all the women on one flight vaginal exams when a baby was found abandoned in the airport. Sure, the odds might be low, but why risk putting yourself in a position where the justice system automatically views you and your body as the perpetrator?

For which the officers were charged with assault. It was an abuse of power and while I appreciate Qatar is not a hotbed of women's rights this was not an act condoned by the government.
"Extensive investigations revealed that some employees of the airport security department acted unilaterally by summoning female medical staff to conduct external examination to some female passengers, thinking that what they had done was within the law,” said prosecutors
also I'm unclear as to why you are discussing an issue in Qatar when the OPs post , including the title, clearly states she is going through the UAE.

LiquoriceAllsorts2 · 26/12/2023 22:04

I’ve changed in Abu Dhabi, it’s a nice airport so would recommend.

Mumaway · 26/12/2023 22:11

Every time we fly to Asia. Sometimes we stop for a holiday there.

LaPalmaLlama · 26/12/2023 22:47

Ponderingwindow · 26/12/2023 21:55

It’s not about only wanting to travel to liberal democracies. It a woman is assaulted in the airport, she can be accused of a crime. In Qatar they decided to give all the women on one flight vaginal exams when a baby was found abandoned in the airport. Sure, the odds might be low, but why risk putting yourself in a position where the justice system automatically views you and your body as the perpetrator?

Quick geography lesson- Qatar is a different country to the UAE. They have separate laws and everything. It’s like England is separate from France.

DollyDaydreamW · 26/12/2023 22:55

@LaPalmaLlama Well blow me down, I had no idea. Interesting! I just googled it, and it turns out Qatar and Bahrain became sovereign states in 1971. I never knew! Thanks for that, now I can stop going around showing my ignorance haha.

saraclara · 26/12/2023 23:25

I've changed in Doha (since it's been mentioned) and Dubai many times. I can't see for the life of me why anyone would not.

Also Emirates and Qatar airlines are among my favourite airlines.

Sister in law asked if she could join me on a recent trip to Australia. When I consulted her about flights (which I was arranging) she said she'd prefer not to fly with a ME airline. But the best fares and timings by far were with the above two airlines, so I said that anything else would be out of my budget, and she said okay.

After the holiday I asked her if she'd been okay with the flights. She said yes, and 'they weren't how is expected them to be'.
I decided it was wiser not to continue that conversation. I like my SIL but I had a feeling that I'd like her less if she elaborated.

mateysmum · 26/12/2023 23:45

You really do not need to worry about transferring in Dubai or Abu Dhabi. Bothe are efficient, modern airports. Provided you follow a few basic common sense rules you should have a good experience. If entering the UAE you should be careful what medicines you take and yes avoid poppy seeds but honestly I would have no concerns. DXB in particular is one of the key world transfer hubs. Millions of passengers pass through every year. It puts the UK airports to shame and UAE officials are generally extremely polite and helpful.

Femme2804 · 27/12/2023 00:29

I traveled a lot and stop over a lot in UAE. This year alone i traveled more than 10 times i think, and always stopover in UAE. Just last month i stopover in dubai and abu dhabi. Its completely safe.

EasterIssland · 27/12/2023 00:31

I’ve done in Abu Dhabi and it was ok
friends have done in Qatar / Doha and lately in Saudia Arabia and all with no problems.