Flights from London to Dubai — compare routes right now

Southern Routing via Egypt and Saudi Arabia 66
Northern Routing via Turkey and Iraq 60
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2 routes compared

Watchful · 66/100

Southern Routing via Egypt and Saudi Arabia is the best route right now.

Southern Routing via Egypt and Saudi Arabia 66
vs.
Northern Routing via Turkey and Iraq 60
Near airspace
·
Minimal extra time
·
Moderate reroute options

Based on official airspace warnings · checked 4h ago · How this works

Full breakdown →
All routes
Southern Routing via Egypt and Saudi Arabia Best
Watchful · 66
Near a warning area · Moderate reroute options · Minimal extra time

Southern alternative that routes down the Mediterranean, across North Africa via Egypt airspace, then through Saudi Arabia airspace and Red Sea approach into UAE. Adds roughly 15–20 minutes versus the northern routing but meaningfully reduces advisory-zone exposure: it stays south of the Iraq airspace and well clear of Iranian airspace. Flydubai and ad-hoc charter operators frequently file this path. Preferred when EASA or UK CAA bulletins flag elevated Iraq or Iran advisory notices.

The catch

Not many airlines fly this way

Route assessed 22h ago

Full breakdown →
Northern Routing via Turkey and Iraq
Watchful · 60
Through a warning area · Strong reroute options · Minimal extra time

The top option avoids the warning area this route crosses.

The dominant LHR–DXB routing transits the Balkans, Turkey, and Iraq airspace before entering UAE airspace. Emirates, British Airways, and Virgin Atlantic all operate this corridor. It crosses the Middle East warning area and skirts Iran airspace boundaries — reliably operated today but carries elevated airspace exposure versus the southern alternative. Preferred on time; monitor before departure when regional tensions are elevated.

The catch

Part of this route goes through a flight warning area

Route assessed 22h ago

Full breakdown →

We have fewer routes covered for this search than usual.

How we score routes

We score each route based on whether it flies near or through warning areas, how much longer it is, and how many reroute options exist — based on official flight warnings.

Some routes aren't covered yet — if yours is missing, that's a gap, not an assessment.

Scores compare route options; they are not safety ratings. Always check with your airline before booking.

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For reference only · Check with your airline before booking