Delayed or Cancelled Flight to UAE? Your EU261 & UK261 Rights

Does EU261 apply to Emirates on flights departing Europe to Dubai?

Yes. EU261 applies to all carriers departing from EU airports, regardless of nationality. Emirates flights from Paris, Amsterdam, Frankfurt, Brussels, Rome, Madrid and all other EU airports to Dubai are fully covered by EU261. Long-haul compensation (over 3,500 km) is €600 per person for a 3+ hour delay or cancellation within 14 days. The return Dubai → Europe on Emirates is NOT covered (non-EU carrier, non-EU departure).

What about Etihad from EU airports to Abu Dhabi?

Same rule applies. Etihad Airways is a UAE carrier. EU261 applies when Etihad departs from an EU airport (Paris, Amsterdam, Frankfurt, etc.) to Abu Dhabi. Paris–Abu Dhabi is approximately 5,200 km — long-haul, €600 per person. The return Abu Dhabi → EU on Etihad is not covered (non-EU carrier, UAE departure).

What is the compensation amount for EU–Dubai routes?

All major European cities to Dubai are in the long-haul compensation tier (over 3,500 km): London ~5,500 km, Paris ~5,200 km, Amsterdam ~5,100 km, Frankfurt ~4,900 km, Brussels ~5,000 km, Rome ~4,600 km, Madrid ~5,800 km. EU261 compensation for long-haul delays of 3+ hours is €600 per person. UK261 applies from UK airports at £520 per person.

Belgium — why is the deadline only 1 year?

Belgium applies a 1-year limitation period for aviation passenger rights claims under national law — shorter than all other EU member states. If your Brussels–Dubai flight was delayed or cancelled more than 10 months ago, you must file immediately. The Belgian ADR body is OmbudsMan Voyages/Reizen. Do not wait.

I booked Dubai–London–Dubai as a return ticket on Emirates — am I covered for both legs?

No — only the London departure leg is covered. EU261 and UK261 attach to each individual flight segment based on where it departs. Your London → Dubai leg is covered (UK departure, UK261 applies, £520). Your Dubai → London return leg is NOT covered (UAE carrier, UAE departure). If the disruption was on the return leg on Emirates, you have no statutory EU/UK rights — only Emirates' own goodwill policies apply.