Dubai International Airport (DXB) continues to handle flights from major airlines, but not every international carrier has made its way back to the UAE after the regional disruption earlier this year.
Five major foreign airlines have now confirmed their Dubai services will stay suspended into 2027. United Airlines, Air Canada, Virgin Atlantic, Finnair and Luxair have all pushed back their planned return dates.
The changes mainly affect long-haul routes connecting Dubai with North America and Europe. Meanwhile, Emirates and flydubai continue running their networks as usual, and several other international and regional airlines have already resumed flights to Dubai.
Which Airlines Are Not Returning to Dubai in 2026?
The five airlines that have delayed their return to Dubai are United Airlines, Air Canada, Virgin Atlantic, Finnair and Luxair.
Most major foreign-based airlines had been expected to restart Dubai services around the end of October as part of their winter schedules. These five carriers, however, have chosen to extend their suspensions instead.
This does not mean Dubai International Airport has stopped operating normally. Several airlines have already resumed services, and other carriers continue serving the emirate on their existing routes.
United Airlines to Return in March 2027
United Airlines suspended its Dubai operations back in February 2026 and has now confirmed its nonstop service between Newark and Dubai is expected to resume in March 2027.
The airline is offering refunds to customers who had flights scheduled between October 24, 2026 and March 27, 2027. Passengers affected by the suspension should check their booking and the latest travel information before making new plans.
United is also pointing customers toward its partnership with Emirates. Emirates continues to fly nonstop between Dubai and six of United’s major US hubs, giving passengers another option for getting between the UAE and the United States.
Luxair Delays Dubai Flights Until February 2027
Luxair, Luxembourg’s national airline, has also pushed back the restart of its Dubai service, with flights now expected to resume in February 2027 at the earliest.
The airline had previously been among the foreign carriers expected to return to Dubai in October 2026. Those plans have now been delayed as the carrier reviews its operations in the region.
Luxair had also been planning to launch flights to Abu Dhabi. That service is now expected to begin in late 2027 instead, so travellers will need to wait a bit longer for the airline’s planned UAE expansion.
Finnair Suspends Helsinki-Dubai Flights for Winter
Finnair has extended its suspension of flights between Helsinki and Dubai for the 2026/27 winter season.
The Finnish airline had been scheduled to restart the route from October 25, 2026 through March 27, 2027, but has now decided not to run the service during that winter period.
Finnair usually operates the Helsinki-Dubai route seasonally. With the latest suspension covering the 2026/27 winter schedule, the airline is not expected back in Dubai until at least October 2027.
Air Canada to Resume Dubai Flights in January 2027
Air Canada has delayed its Dubai return until mid-January 2027. The Canadian flag carrier had originally been expected to restart the route in October as part of its winter schedule.
The airline has also rolled out flexible options for passengers affected by the change. Eligible customers can rebook for a later date without extra fees, switch their booking to another destination without extra fees, or cancel and get credit toward a future Air Canada trip.
Air Canada is also expected to resume its Tel Aviv service around the same time. Travellers with existing Dubai bookings should check the latest Air Canada travel update before heading to the airport.
Virgin Atlantic to Return in 2027
Virgin Atlantic has also confirmed its Dubai service will stay paused until the 2027 winter season.
The airline normally runs a seasonal daily service between London Heathrow and Dubai. That route was suspended earlier this year, and the latest information points to it returning for the 2027 winter schedule.
Passengers looking to travel between the UK and Dubai can still find options through Virgin Atlantic’s codeshare partners. The airline has flagged services involving China Eastern, IndiGo and Kenya Airways, while joint-venture partners KLM and Air France are expected to resume Dubai flights later in 2026.
Why Are Some Airlines Taking Longer to Return?
These delayed returns come as airlines continue dealing with the fallout from the regional disruption earlier this year. One issue affecting foreign-based carriers has been securing suitable insurance coverage for operations in the region.
Dubai Airports CEO Paul Griffiths has previously said some international airlines have struggled to get the insurance they need to return to the region.
That is part of why airline schedules are not all moving at the same pace. While some carriers have restarted operations, others are being more cautious and have pushed back their return dates.
Dubai Flights Continue With Other Major Airlines
The suspension of these five airlines does not mean Dubai has been cut off from international travel. Emirates and flydubai continue operating flights across their global networks.
Several regional airlines have also resumed services to Dubai International Airport, including flynas, Qatar Airways, Saudia and Gulf Air.
International carriers such as IndiGo, Air India, Air France and Turkish Airlines are also continuing to operate routes to Dubai, giving passengers several alternatives even while some individual services remain suspended.
What Travellers Should Check Before Flying
Anyone planning a Dubai trip on one of these affected airlines should check the latest information directly with the carrier before travelling. Return dates can shift, particularly while airlines are operating under revised regional schedules.
Passengers whose flights have been cancelled or delayed should also check whether they qualify for a refund, credit or fee-free rebooking. The options vary between airlines and individual bookings.
Travellers can also look at alternative airlines serving Dubai if their original carrier is not operating their route. With several major airlines still flying to DXB, alternative connections may be available depending on the departure city.
Also Read: Dubai Five-Year Multiple-Entry Visa Explained: Who Can Apply, Cost, Documents, and Eligibility
Dubai’s Winter Flight Schedule
Most foreign-based airlines that suspended services are expected to return around the end of October as part of their winter schedules. The five airlines listed above, however, are taking longer to restart their Dubai operations.
United Airlines is currently targeting March 2027, while Luxair expects to return from February 2027 at the earliest. Air Canada is targeting mid-January 2027, Virgin Atlantic is planning a return for the 2027 winter season, and Finnair is not expected back until at least October 2027.
For passengers, the key takeaway is that Dubai flights are continuing, but the availability of specific routes will depend on the airline and departure city. Checking the latest schedule before booking remains important as carriers keep adjusting their operations.