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Emirates and Qatar Airways are cancelling flights to Asia; Here are the best alternatives right now
Don’t let the worry of flight cancellations stop you from traveling to Asia this year. Discover alternative airlines to Emirates and Qatar, with routes and practical tips to travel safely.
Are you planning a trip to Asia this year but worried about sudden flight cancellations?
Emirates and Qatar Airways offer the smoothest connections from Europe or North America. But with regional tensions affecting these airlines’ transit hubs, many flights are getting cancelled.
Thankfully, there are plenty of other airlines that fly to key Asian destinations, bypassing the Middle East. Read on to discover the safest, most practical alternatives for your 2026 Asia trip.
What’s actually happening with Emirates and Qatar on Asia routes?
With the current geopolitical tensions confined to the Middle East, you may assume your Asia travel plans are unaffected. But airlines like Emirates, Etihad, and Qatar, based in the Middle East, are experiencing worldwide disruptions.
There are several reasons for this, including airspace restrictions across the Middle East and ongoing safety concerns for flights landing and departing from airports such as Dubai, Qatar, and Doha.
As a result, flight capacity has been reduced, prices have increased, and flight schedules are subject to last-minute changes and cancellations.
| Airline | Hub | Key Asia Routes | Current concern |
|---|---|---|---|
| Emirates | Dubai | Delhi, Bangkok, Phuket, Singapore, Hong Kong, Bali, Tokyo | Reduced schedule due to airspace restrictions and rerouting around conflict zones |
| Qatar Airways | Doha | Bangkok, Phuket, Singapore, Ho Chi Minh City, Tokyo | Airspace closures and rerouting challenges affecting Europe–Asia corridors |
| Etihad | Abu Dhabi | Bangkok, Phuket, Kuala Lumpur, Manila, Jakarta, Delhi | Reduced flight schedule due to airspace closures and safety |
With these current travel challenges, you may not be able to book a flight on your desired day or time. Moreover, reduced flight schedules have increased overall prices, so what are usually the cheapest days to fly are no longer so.
The Asian carriers that should be on your radar
One way to reduce the possibility of flight cancellations is to choose an alternative airline that does not have a hub in the Middle East. While prices may still be higher than usual due to increased demand, the following alternative airlines are operating their usual schedules, as they can fly over northern corridors through Central Asia, avoiding restricted airspace.
What’s more, these are world-class airlines that rate just as high in service quality and connectivity as Emirates, Etihad, and Qatar. Many also offer direct or one-stop routes, so you don’t have to worry about multiple changes or excessive durations.
Here are the airlines with strong connectivity to Asia, which may be a better alternative for 2026 travel.
| Airline | Best for | Main hub | Notable routes from EU/US |
|---|---|---|---|
| Singapore Airlines | Southeast Asia | Singapore | Singapore, Bangkok, Kuala Lumpur |
| Cathay Pacific | East Asia | Hong Kong | Hong Kong, Bangkok, Tokyo |
| ANA / JAL | Japan | Tokyo + China | Tokyo (and all Japan connections), Beijing, Shanghai |
| Korean Air | East + Southeast Asia | Seoul | Korea, then onward routes across Asia |
| British Airways | East + Southeast Asia | London | Bangkok, Singapore, Delhi, Mumbai |
| Lufthansa | East + Southeast Asia | Frankfurt / Munich | Delhi, Tokyo, Bangkok, Singapore |
| Air France | East Asia | Paris | Shanghai, Tokyo, Singapore |
As demand has increased, many airlines have raised their prices. However, fees still vary by season, so one way to keep costs low is to travel during the shoulder season. Fewer people travel to the region during this time, so prices often dip, making it the best time to visit Southeast Asia.
Budget and mid-range options worth considering
If you’re looking to keep costs low, you can also consider budget and mid-range airlines like AirAsia X, Scoot, Jetstar Asia, and Philippine Airlines.
While in the past budget airlines focused solely on short-haul routes, many are now expanding their offerings to mid and long-haul routes. They offer fewer amenities and less comfort than higher-end airlines, such as no in-flight meals or entertainment. However, they can offer significantly lower fares on competitive routes like:
- Australia to Bali (Jetstar)
- Europe to Singapore (Scoot)
- USA to Manila (Philippine Airlines)
Travel tip: These airlines work especially well when combined with a stopover city in one of Asia’s cheapest countries, such as Kuala Lumpur, Manila, or Taipei. From these hubs, you can take a short flight to many parts of Asia, including Thailand, Indonesia, and Vietnam.
Which destinations in Asia are easiest to reach right now?
- Singapore (via Singapore Airlines, British Airways, or Scoot): Singapore’s Changi Airport has strong direct connections to Europe, North America, and Australia. The city-state’s diverse food, futuristic architecture, and lush greenery make it a top choice for a vibrant weekend break. Plus, it’s known as one of the world’s safest and cleanest cities, making it ideal for solo travelers.
- Thailand (via British Airways, Lufthansa, or Air France): Thailand continues to draw millions of first-time Asia travelers every year, with Bangkok airport offering direct flights to Europe and Australia. There are endless places to visit and things to do in Thailand, from Bangkok’s temples and street food to Phuket’s beautiful beaches, and Koh Samui’s relaxed island vibe.
- Hong Kong (via Cathay Pacific or Singapore Airlines): Hong Kong International Airport maintains strong international links from Europe and beyond. In this dynamic global city, skyscrapers frame the harbour, and strolling markets and eating dim sum are part of daily life.
- Tokyo (via ANA, and European carriers like Lufthansa & Air France): Japan’s bustling capital has strong nonstop and one‑stop connections from Europe and the USA. Tokyo’s unique mix of futuristic technology and rich history makes it one of the most fascinating cities in the world and a top choice for solo travelers.
- Bali, Indonesia (via Singapore Airlines, Jetstar & Air Asia): Many Australian cities offer direct flights to Bali, and for the rest of the world, it’s easy to reach as a second leg from another Southeast Asian hub. Bali blends lush rice terraces, beautiful sunsets, and vibrant surf towns, creating the ultimate tropical beach vacation.
How to actually find the best Asia flight deal right now
With alternative airlines seeing increased demand, flights to Asia are significantly costly right now. But don’t worry, there are still hacks to find a good deal:
- Use Google Flights explore mode: This allows you to scan prices across multiple destinations and dates to see where fares are lowest. Once you spot a route you like, set fare alerts to get notified if prices drop.
- Search for flights in incognito or private browsing mode: While airlines say prices don’t change based on your number of searches, browsing privately can help ensure you’re seeing the most consistent fare options.
- Check both airline websites and online travel agencies: Sometimes airlines release exclusive deals directly, while OTAs like Skyscanner may bundle cheaper fares.
- Consider a layover: Breaking up the journey is one of the best travel tips for long-haul flights. So, if your new route is much longer than your usual Gulf route, consider a stopover in Singapore, Hong Kong, or Tokyo before continuing to your final destination.
Once you’ve locked in your flights, run through an international travel checklist to ensure the rest of your trip prep is covered. This includes sorting out things like visas, travel insurance, multi-currency cards, and data roaming.
Planning an Asia trip in 2026: Is now a good time to book?
If you’re planning to travel to Asia this spring or summer, now is the time to book. Booking 2–4 months before your trip will give you the best availability and prices.
However, you should be aware of peak season dates in your chosen destination, as they can lead to temporary increases in flight and accommodation rates. For example, avoid Golden Week in Japan (late April–early May) and Songkran in Thailand (mid-April).
For the best rates, visit Southeast Asia during the shoulder season, which is either just before high season (September-October) or just after high season (April-May). Shoulder season travel is often the sweet spot for Southeast Asia trips as it’s more affordable than peak season, there are fewer crowds, and the weather is still generally good.
Stay connected across Asia with a Holafly eSIM
Once you’ve booked your Asia trip, don’t forget about mobile data. You’ll need a reliable internet connection to find transport, translate menus, and book last-minute tours.
While you can buy physical SIM cards in Asia, an eSIM is the most convenient option. Simply install before departure and connect as soon as you land.
Holafly’s eSIM plans work with local providers to give you fast, reliable, and unlimited data, so you’ll never get stuck unable to use Google Maps, ride-hailing apps, or other essential travel tools.
Plus, Holafly’s eSIM for Asia gives you coverage across the entire continent, ideal for multi-country trips, stopovers, and last-minute itinerary changes.
Unlimited data. Peace of mind.
Make sure you have travel data that's there when you need it most.
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Hey, I’m Mika! I’m an SEO specialist with 7+ years of experience and a passion for travel info that actually helps you explore smarter. I write travel guides and tips backed by SEO insights so you can spend less time searching and more time adventuring.
