I'm in the process of planning a family (5 adults)vacation to Thailand.
Up to yesterday I planned on flying on Emirates to and from Chicago. Emirates hubs in Dubai both there and on the return.
I read and heard great things about Emirates Air and looked forward to flying part of the journey on a Airbus 380 (a 777 for the other part of the trip from and to Chicago).

With the heightened tensions from terrorists I'm second thinking any layover (3hr going - 6hrs return) or boarding any plane in the middle east.

To you world travelers out there, Are my fears out of line or do you think I should book on a different carrier that stops over in Hong Kong or someplace else in Asia.

Otto and others can probably give you much more current intel. Travelling Emerates thru Dubai shouldnt be a big deal. Dubai as far as ME places go isnt a huge issue. That said, I personally never felt comfortable ANYWHERE in the ME.

Emrates has some top notch service.
Dubai is a stunning airport.

I would look forward to there thoughts.

You're fine in Dubai. If you're absolutely paranoid or, your schedule doesn't allow, the airport is stunning as international terminals outside the US are places you can actually enjoy. If you're able to grab a taxi, tell the driver to drive you around, check out a mall, eat some lunch at the food court and head back to the airport.

Or, fly west, change planes in LAX or, SFO and continue-on, skipping Dubai altogether.

I've been there. At this point in history Dubai is safer than London or Paris. However, a 3 or 6 hour layover is not enough time to see the city. I would have taken a layover of a few days.

Why not look the other way, Narita Japan then on down? I know it may be a different or US Carrier.

We may try to get to Okinawa later this Summer. The 13 y/o Son really wants to go to see some WW-II sights in the Pacific.

Most any large airport is completely safe. Those countries want to stay out of the headlines with security issues.

I wouldn't have any more concerns flying in and out of Dubai than anywhere in Europe or Asia. I would book that flight without too much worry. Though I admit I've never actually flown there before.

quote:

Originally posted by sourdough44:
Why not look the other way, Narita Japan then on down? I know it may be a different or US Carrier.

Emirates Air vs a US airline? No contest. EA is one of the best. The only reason to fly the US carrier is to stay within their reward system. Everything else about it will suck.

Agreed Emirates is superior in service to the US carriers. You should have no worries about transiting Dubai as an American. We were comfortable staying there recently for a few days with our two young daughters. Not my favorite place in the world, but worth seeing once and we never felt unsafe.

Check to make sure Emirates Air is not one of the airlines affected by the order by President Trump restricting the ability to carry electronic devices on board. I believe Emirates is on the list but I don't know whether it is all routes including to its hub in Dubai.

Other than that is a perfectly safe place to visit and or transit. The Emirati have put a lot of money into making sure that the country is safe from islamist wackjobs.

I lived in the UAE for about 6 years and fly Emirates at least 10 times a year now. You have no thing to worry about, except gaining weight on the flight...they love giving you food.
Enjoy the trip!

The Emirates are solid. They REALLY don't want any terrorists cutting into their cash flow, so they have done a lot to keep a cap on any nonsense. Their airports are brand new and their planes are pretty young vintage. The only problem they are having is that many of the American expats are coming back to the States now that the job market has picked up. There's still a lot of good pilots floating around there, and I wouldn't...and don't...hesitate to fly them.

Good food, free alcohol even in coach, and a bazillion movies routed to each seat make for a good flight.

Sig2340 does have a good point however, that I believe the Emirates are on the proposed list of countries with large electronics in the cabin being restricted or prohibited.

My brother fewl Emeriates to Dubai last week, said it was fantastic. Best airline travel of his life. Emerites will also hook you us in Dubai to make layover easy, they arranged a day trip of dubai for him for $85, they also have some kind of lounge/restaurant not sure what in Dubai for shorter layovers.

Was just in Dubai a few days ago, and have flown Emirates through there a few times in the last few months. No worries.

The airport is fantastic, Emirates service is fantastic. I would book it without a second thought.

While I have never flown Emirates or to Dubai I wouldn't hesitate to. I'd consider it safer then Mexico and I've been there a few times.

I'd be more concerned about having to check my laptop now than I would flying in and out of Dubai. Admittedly it's been a few years since I've been there, but Dubai is pretty safe (if you stay out of trouble at least).

Thanks for all the advice.
I had thought of switching to Cathay Pacific but now I think I will follow through with Emirates.
I like the idea of seeing Dubai and flying part of the trip on a A380.

I think once you fly with Emirates or Asiana as my son does you really going to hate flying in the US.
Such a complete different customer service.

Emirates has the bar and lounge on the upper deck of the A380. Standing at a bar, sipping a gin and tonic and talking to a bartender from Sydney makes you feel that air travel is not so bad now.

Need not worry traveling through Emirates either...