The escalating conflict in West Asia has affected thousands of flights via the Middle East, a key transit corridor for US to India travel. Flights operating via Doha, Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Bahrain, and Jeddah have faced cancellations, delays, and route adjustments. To help you navigate travel disruptions, the Middle East airlines are offering flexible rebooking and refund options without levying date of change or cancellation penalty. IndianEagle.com, your trusted travel-booking partner, curated details of the Gulf airlines’ travel rebooking and refund policies.
Qatar Airways flights rebooking and refund policy
Is your flight with Qatar Airways cancelled? No worries! In view of the ongoing Middle East conflict, Qatar Airways is offering to rebook cancelled flights for new travel dates through 31 May 2026, irrespective of origin and destination. Interestingly, the airline is offering two free date changes to the affected passengers.
Who are eligible for free rescheduling or a refund?
If your one-way travel or round trip from USA to India or beyond is scheduled after 28 February or before 30 April 2026, you are eligible for Qatar Airways’ rebooking fee waiver and a refund from the airline.
Emirates flights cancelled? You can rebook or request refund
Being the most affected of all Middle East airlines, Emirates is offering flexible rebooking with a fee waiver to impacted passengers. You can rebook your Emirates flight tickets for travel by 31 May 2026. Or you can request a refund, which will be processed within 15 days.
Who are eligible for Emirates’ refund or free rebooking?
- International passengers scheduled to fly with Emirates between 28 February and 15 April 2026 can reschedule their flights for free or request a full refund, in case their travel is impacted or they make alternate travel plans.
- If you booked your Emirates flight with IndianEagle.com and your original travel date is within 72 hours, please contact us at +1800-615-3969 for free and priority assistance.
Etihad flights rebooking and refund options
Amid the war in West Asia, Etihad’s rebooking policy is not as flexible as that of Emirates and Qatar Airways. Etihad flights from USA to India or some other destination can be rescheduled without the airline fee for travel before or on 15 May 2026. If you wish not to travel via Abu Dhabi, you also have the option to cancel your Etihad booking and receive a full refund.
Who can rebook Etihad flights or get refund?
Travelers who booked flight tickets on or before 28 February for travel up to 15 April 2026 can rebook on Etihad-operated flights or cancel their original booking without paying the airline fee.
Gulf Air’s rebooking and refund options
Gulf Air flights are badly affected due to the Iran-Israel conflict, and so are its passengers. The Bahrain-based airline is offering a liberal travel-rebooking option. You can reschedule and complete your travel with Gulf Air by 30 June 2026, without paying the airline’s change of date fee.
Who are eligible for rebooking Gulf Air flights or a refund
- Gulf Air is rebooking travel for those who are originally scheduled to fly via Bahrain before or on 15 April 2026.
- If you wish to cancel your travel scheduled on or before 31 March 2026, you can request a refund without Gulf Air’s cancellation penalty.
Saudia Airlines’ advisory for affected travelers
Saudia flights between USA and India via Jeddah have also been disrupted amid the Middle East conflict. According to Saudia Airlines’ advisory for travelers, you can reschedule the cancelled flight to the same destination for travel within 14 days after the airline resumes operations on that route. Rebooking with Saudia won’t incur any additional charges. If you don’t wish to travel given the current situation, you can either hold the ticket value in the form of credit with the airline or cancel the booking for a refund. Saudia is offering one-time cancellation fee waiver.
