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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:
PincNeon · 27/12/2023 00:38

It’s worth bearing in mind that changing planes may mean a longer stay than anticipated. I had a transfer in Doha a few years ago, but because a delayed flight meant missing the original connection, I was put up in a hotel for about 20 hours, which meant legally entering Qatar. I was thankful I’d thought to get paperwork from my doctor about medication I was carrying (don’t usually bother) and had not taken certain other medication with me. I’d never expected to be leaving the airport.

So, while I agree that connecting from one flight to another is unlike going on holiday somewhere, it isn’t entirely beyond the realms of possibility that you will be there longer than expected.

JustGotToKeepOnKeepingOn · 27/12/2023 00:53

I had a horrid experience transferring at Dubai airport. Lots of pushing and shoving. Couldn't get through the barrier as I somehow kept being pushed back and people kept cutting in front of me. It was very frustrating.

And then I was taken aside and the security staff went through my luggage - in front of everyone not in a side room. It was horrendous. As a lone female traveler I felt vulnerable and intimidated. And I've travelled all over on my own.

It wouldn't stop me transferring there again but I'd be ready with my elbows out next time.

savoycabbage · 27/12/2023 00:55

I've also had a bad experience when transferring when I was just with my young children. It was awful and I've never done it again. We go through Singapore now.

It can also be difficult with any medication that you need to have with you.

Spartak · 27/12/2023 01:00

I had a transit stop at Abu Dhabi at the beginning of December.

They have a shiny new terminal which was really efficient, with helpful staff and spotless toilets. Best airport I've ever been through.

There's lots of places to eat, including n western fast food places and a decent amount of shops to pass the time. Prices were reasonable too.

I felt safe on my own and its a much better experience than a few hours at Heathrow where I departed from.

The only thing that really reminded me that
I wasn't in Europe was the call to prayer which is broadcast over the loudspeaker and camel milk for sale in a cafe.

Anywherebuthere · 27/12/2023 01:01

OP its very safe and efficient to transfer there.

Have a look on youtube, there are lots of videos of the airports. Gives you an idea of what to expect in terms of what it looks like.

Flatandhappy · 27/12/2023 03:40

No. I did it once travelling solo and it was an unpleasant experience. I always try and transit through Singapore (and I will never ever fly Qatar no matter how highly they are rated as they are still refusing to apologise properly for strip searching women without their consent).

Appleblum · 27/12/2023 03:42

It's fine. You're overthinking it.

useitorlose · 27/12/2023 03:48

Yes of course. I live there and we fly from either AD or Dubai every couple of months. The new AD terminal opened in November and its highly efficient.

Last year I flew into AD, landed at 7.10 and was outside getting into a taxi with my checked luggage by 7.30. That's never happened at Heathrow.

Rocknrollstar · 27/12/2023 07:18

We changed planes in Oman. I wasn’t happy but had no choice. The airport was amazing and no one bothered us. Just do it.

laladoodoo · 27/12/2023 08:04

My gosh it's preferable if anything!

Emirates, Qatar and Etihad are some of the best airlines in the world and the airports are fabulously set up and straightforward. I would do it (and have done it) without a second thought.

GingerScallop · 27/12/2023 08:23

StiffyByngsDogBartholomew · 26/12/2023 22:02

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.

Edited
Show quote history

I do hope these people do not transit through in UAE because of the women treated atrociously also don't transit through Heathrow where people of colour are often treated atrociously. And through uk and us airports given that the economies in these countries are shored by what is nearly slave labour in many countries (cobalt, tea, coffee, cotton etc). We could change the world one transit hub at a time

JustWhatWeDontNeed · 27/12/2023 08:56

I'd rather transit through Doha, AD or DXB than miserable Frankfurt, who I always end up using.

I live in the Middle East so don't understand all the angst. The biggest issue those airports have is being busy.

InAMess2023 · 27/12/2023 09:04

@JustWhatWeDontNeed the mere mention of Frankfurt airport has sent shivers down my spine 😩 a 4 hour layover with nowhere to eat and €8 bottles of water! Followed by an 11 hour flight with Lufthansa that made Ryanair look elite!

Definitely would only fly long haul with BA or Emirates now (would try others but these are the ones I can do from my local airport)

I did NCL-DXB-NRT a couple of months back, a woman on my own, had zero issues whatsoever

Chilicabbage · 27/12/2023 09:06

JustGotToKeepOnKeepingOn · 27/12/2023 00:53

I had a horrid experience transferring at Dubai airport. Lots of pushing and shoving. Couldn't get through the barrier as I somehow kept being pushed back and people kept cutting in front of me. It was very frustrating.

And then I was taken aside and the security staff went through my luggage - in front of everyone not in a side room. It was horrendous. As a lone female traveler I felt vulnerable and intimidated. And I've travelled all over on my own.

It wouldn't stop me transferring there again but I'd be ready with my elbows out next time.

This experiences are the reason I picked flights to certain EU airport based on when Aeroflot planes were landing. Flew in some not so nice times just to sverve clear of these.

thefallen · 27/12/2023 09:10

It's fine. I've done it a few times. The airports there are big, clean, modern and efficient and the business class parts lounges are lovely if you're going that way. I wouldn't holiday in those places but transiting through is fine.

Hobbesmanc · 27/12/2023 09:29

The Middle Eastern airlines nearly always come back best vale for Manchester flights where there's less choice of international airlines. Qatar is the best airline we've flown with. Doha is huge so don't leave yourself a tight transfer window.

Original poster
Flying24 · 27/12/2023 09:54

Thanks all. One of the options is also to transfer in Qatar; that story is horrifying.

FWIW I have only ever had good experiences in Frankfurt airport! 😁

OP posts:
laladoodoo · 27/12/2023 21:30

Christ, judging by these comments we can't go anywhere these days 🙄

roseheartfly · 27/12/2023 21:30

It's perfectly safe

CormorantStrikesBack · 27/12/2023 21:33

I’ve changed at Dubai as a single female plenty of times no problem.

laladoodoo · 27/12/2023 21:44

Exactly - hardly dramatic

saraclara · 27/12/2023 22:06

Emirates is one of the largest and highest quality airlines in the world. In the last year it's carried 43 million passengers, who almost all will have passed through Dubai airport. Qatar airlines won't be far behind. Then there's Etihad and all the others.

Emirates has 119 wide bodied aircraft flights a week out of the UK. All those passengers will land or transit in Dubai airport.
And that's without all the other ME airlines that fly Brits all around the world via their hub airports. There really isn't an issue.

remo · 27/12/2023 22:48

Don't let him read detained in Dubai. Horrible incidents do happen but would be rare compared to the amount of travellers who pass through with no incident so it's not worth worrying about. Be very polite and calm with any staff even if they aren't being like that with you. Check rules re medications etc and don't take anything without its packaging and leaflet. Been through a number of times with no incident.

IntheSnowySnowyMountains · 27/12/2023 23:44

I have in the past and it was OK, though busy. I wouldn't now if I could help it because I carry controlled medication. I always have a copy of the prescriptions and a letter from my doctor but I would still be worried - especially if, as happened to PincNeon something changed and I had to enter the country. Last time we went to Australia we only got off for refuelling in Singapore and it was fine.

Evanesy · 27/12/2023 23:48

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.

Why is China acceptable from a moral perspective but UAE questionable?

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