British Airways has confirmed that its flights between London Heathrow and Abu Dhabi will remain suspended throughout 2027’s summer season.

The airline now expects the route to return during the winter 2027/28 schedule, although the wording leaves open the possibility of further changes if instability in the region continues.

British Airways suspended the Abu Dhabi service in February 2026 as conflict and airspace disruption affected airline operations across the Middle East.

“Due to the ongoing situation in the Middle East, we have made further changes to our flying schedule to provide greater clarity for our customers,” a British Airways spokesperson said.

The airline added that it continues to review the situation and is contacting affected customers with alternative options.

British Airways had originally been expected to restore the route sooner, but Abu Dhabi has now been removed from the airline’s long-haul flying plans for summer 2027.

The latest schedule points towards a possible return during the winter season, which normally begins in late October. However, passengers should treat winter 2027/28 as the earliest anticipated return rather than a guaranteed restart date.

Before the suspension, the direct flight between Heathrow and Abu Dhabi took approximately seven hours. British Airways continues to advertise Abu Dhabi on its website, but its current destination page does not show direct fares for the suspended period.

The continued absence is significant because Abu Dhabi is a major business, leisure and connecting destination. It also means British Airways will remain without a direct service to the home hub of Etihad Airways for at least another year.

While Abu Dhabi faces a much longer wait, British Airways is preparing to return to Dubai.

Flights between Heathrow and Dubai are scheduled to resume on the 3rd November 2026. The route is expected to operate once daily during the winter season before increasing to twice daily in summer 2027.

British Airways previously served Dubai several times per day, but the reduced initial schedule reflects the airline’s cautious return to the region.

The Dubai restart will restore an important link for passengers travelling to the United Arab Emirates and also creates another option for reaching Abu Dhabi.

Dubai and Abu Dhabi are connected by road, with the journey generally taking around 90 minutes to two hours depending on traffic and the exact points of departure and arrival. Travellers should allow considerably more time when connecting from a flight, particularly when immigration, baggage collection and road congestion are taken into account.

A BA flight to Dubai followed by a private transfer, coach or hire car could be one of the simplest alternatives for passengers who would prefer to remain on a direct British Airways service from Heathrow.

However, the onward road journey will normally need to be arranged separately. Passengers should check whether it is included in their booking rather than assuming British Airways will provide transport between the two cities.

British Airways is also preparing to resume flights to Amman on the 3rd November 2026 after suspending the Jordanian route in March.

The return will restore another part of BA’s Middle Eastern network, although Amman is not the most direct alternative for reaching Abu Dhabi. Its reinstatement is more important as a sign that British Airways is gradually rebuilding its regional schedule on a route-by-route basis.

The different restart dates demonstrate how airlines continue to assess each destination individually. Dubai and Amman are returning in late 2026, while Abu Dhabi will remain absent until at least the following winter season.

Passengers wanting to book Abu Dhabi through British Airways can also consider travelling via Doha.

British Airways and Qatar Airways have a close partnership as fellow members of the oneworld alliance. Depending on the dates and availability, it may be possible to fly from Heathrow to Doha with either airline before connecting to a Qatar Airways service to Abu Dhabi.

This produces a considerably longer journey than the former direct flight. Current indirect options can take around 11 hours, compared with approximately seven hours nonstop.

Where possible, passengers should book both flights together on one ticket. This provides greater protection if the first flight is delayed and the connection in Doha is missed. Checked baggage should also normally be transferred through to Abu Dhabi, although this should always be confirmed at check-in.

Booking separate tickets may sometimes appear cheaper, but it leaves the passenger responsible for reaching the second flight if disruption occurs.

The BA and Qatar Airways partnership allows eligible customers to collect Avios and access reciprocal benefits on qualifying journeys. Codeshare flights can also be sold through the airlines’ own booking channels.

For many travellers, flying to Dubai and continuing by road may be faster than connecting through Doha.

The best option will depend on price, arrival time and final destination. Abu Dhabi city, Yas Island and Saadiyat Island are all reachable by road from Dubai, although transfer costs can make the journey more expensive.

Anyone booking a BA Holidays package should check carefully whether the airport transfer is included and whether arriving at Dubai rather than Abu Dhabi changes the package conditions.

Passengers should also compare the total journey rather than the flight time alone. A direct flight to Dubai may look faster, but immigration, baggage reclaim and a lengthy road transfer can significantly extend the trip.

Passengers booked on a cancelled British Airways service should be contacted by the airline and offered alternative arrangements.

Where UK passenger law applies, customers whose flight has been cancelled should generally be offered a choice between a refund or rerouting. Those who still wish to travel should avoid accepting a refund until they have discussed the available alternative flights with British Airways.

Possible replacements could include a connecting itinerary through Doha or an alternative routing offered by the airline. The exact options will depend on the original booking, travel dates and available seats.

Customers with separate hotel, cruise or event reservations should also check their travel insurance if the revised journey creates additional costs not covered by the airline.

Delaying Abu Dhabi until winter 2027/28 leaves a noticeable gap in British Airways’ Middle Eastern network, particularly when Dubai and Amman are preparing to return in November.

Connecting through Doha with Qatar Airways offers the most straightforward partner option, while flying directly to Dubai and continuing by road may suit passengers prioritising simplicity.

With the regional situation remaining unpredictable, travellers should book the entire journey on one ticket wherever possible and treat the proposed Abu Dhabi restart as provisional until flights are firmly loaded and operating.