‹ London to Dubai

Northern Routing via Turkey and Iraq

Watchful 60 /100

London → Dubai

Goes through a warning area

5,500 km · 6h 25min

Iranian Airspace Advisory Ukraine Conflict Zone Iraqi Airspace Advisory United Arab Emirates Airspace Advisory
Strong reroute options · ~6h 25m

Route assessed 2h ago · Sources re-checked 2h ago

Why this score
Airspace High
Detour Minimal
Backups Strong
Hub Strong
Airlines Strong
Why book

The London to Dubai route via Turkey and Iraq crosses multiple warning areas including Iraqi and Iranian airspace advisories. Before booking, verify current conditions with your airline and check official travel advisories, as this routing faces active disruptions.

The catch

Part of this route goes through a flight warning area

Worth knowing

Monitor updates on Iraqi and Iranian airspace status before departure. Check with your airline on whether they are routing flights around these warning areas or adjusting schedules.

Watchful 60

London → Dubai

↓ route details
Score held back

This route goes through a flight warning area. It cannot score above 60 — other good factors do not cancel out the fact that it crosses a warning area.

How it's scored ↓
Route strength 100

Other paths · Stop quality

Conditions now 48

Closed areas · Flight options

This northern routing encounters more warning zones than southern alternatives through the Arabian Peninsula. Routes via the Persian Gulf or Red Sea typically avoid these active advisory areas.

  • Crosses the Balkans and Turkey before entering Iraq FIR (ORBB) — all three carriers file this routing as standard.
  • Transits the ICAO-designated Middle East advisory zone: elevated airspace exposure score versus the southern alternative.
  • Skirts Iranian FIR (OIIX) on the final descent into UAE airspace — distance from IRI border is manageable but notable.
  • Fastest geometry (~6.4h, ~5,500 km); when EASA or UK CAA bulletins are clear this remains the preferred option.
Airspace Some

This route flies through Iranian and Iraqi airspace as its primary flight corridor. Iranian airspace restrictions directly affect this path.

Iranian Airspace Advisory

CZIB-2026-04 ↗ · checked 2h ago

Airspace Some

This route's northern leg tracks through Eastern Europe close to Ukrainian airspace. The Ukraine conflict zone directly affects routing options on this corridor.

Ukraine Conflict Zone

CZIB-2022-01 ↗ · checked 2h ago

Airspace Some

This route crosses Iraqi airspace, which airlines are officially told to avoid. Some airlines still cross it at high altitude; others route around it.

Iraqi Airspace Advisory

CZIB-2026-05 ↗ · checked 2h ago

Airspace Some

This route passes through the airspace over the United Arab Emirates, which airlines are officially told to avoid at every altitude until at least 31 August 2026. The airspace is open and flights are running normally — the warning is about the advice, not about delays.

United Arab Emirates Airspace Advisory

CZIB-2026-07 ↗ · checked 2h ago

Why this level

European regulators told airlines on 14 July 2026 to stay out of this airspace at every altitude. The warning runs until 31 August 2026 unless it is renewed.

EASA CZIB-2026-07R1 · in force until August 31, 2026

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Other options for this trip

Southern Routing via Egypt and Saudi Arabia 55

Scores are based on official airspace warnings, added flight time, and how many reroute options exist. This is not a safety rating. Always check with your airline before you book.

For reference only · Verify before booking.

How we score routes →
All routes from London → All routes to Dubai → Iranian Airspace Advisory zone → Ukraine Conflict Zone zone → Iraqi Airspace Advisory zone → United Arab Emirates Airspace Advisory zone →
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