How to Fly Between Europe and Australia or New Zealand Without Transiting Through the Middle East

Renewed US–Iran fighting has forced fresh Gulf airspace closures, with Kuwait shutting its airspace on 18 July 2026.

Here are the most reliable ways to fly between Europe and Australia or New Zealand without transiting the Middle East.

Routing Options at a Glance

Six Routing Alternatives for Europe–Australia/New Zealand Travel

Singapore Airlines Hub

Singapore Airlines connects Australian cities (Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Perth, Adelaide) and New Zealand (Auckland, Christchurch, Wellington) with European capitals including London, Paris, Frankfurt, and Amsterdam.

The airline has expanded UK capacity: Manchester went daily on 13 July 2026, alongside daily Gatwick and frequent Heathrow flights. Air New Zealand adds several daily Auckland–Singapore services through its partnership with SIA, giving strong onward European connectivity.

Cathay Pacific Hong Kong Hub

Cathay Pacific links Hong Kong with major Australian cities and a wide range of European destinations, including London, Paris, Amsterdam, Frankfurt, Athens, Barcelona, and Dublin. It has added extra Heathrow and Paris frequencies through 2026, making Hong Kong a strong alternative transit hub for Australia–Europe traffic.

Qantas Routes

Qantas’ Perth–London nonstop remains suspended. The service was grounded on 4 March 2026 and rerouted via Singapore, adding roughly three hours to flight times. Qantas has said it will review the routing in late July 2026 and restore the nonstop only once Gulf airspace reopens.

Affected passengers are being automatically rebooked onto the two-leg service, with fee-free changes or full refunds available for those who prefer not to travel.

Thai Airways Bangkok Connection

Thai Airways connects Australia and New Zealand to Europe via Bangkok, with services to Sydney, Melbourne, Perth, and Brisbane. Its European routes remain unaffected by the Middle East disruptions, making Bangkok a reliable alternative hub.

North American Transit

Westbound routing via Los Angeles or other US gateways offers a western-hemisphere alternative that avoids both Middle Eastern and Asian hub bottlenecks. Total journey times are significantly longer, but this option sidesteps the capacity constraints affecting eastbound routings.

Finnair Helsinki Connection (From October 2026)

Finnair launches a daily Helsinki–Bangkok–Melbourne route on 25 October 2026. The A350 service carries fifth-freedom rights on the Bangkok–Melbourne leg, so passengers can book that segment on its own.

It opens a new Nordic gateway to Australia, with onward connections across Finnair’s European network. Bookings are already open on finnair.com.

What About Gulf Carriers?

Gulf carriers — Emirates, Qatar Airways, and Etihad — rebuilt much of their networks earlier in the year. But renewed US–Iran fighting in July has again disrupted the region. Kuwait closed its airspace on 18 July 2026, halting flights and diverting aircraft to other Gulf hubs.

EASA advises operators to avoid Iranian, Iraqi, and Lebanese airspace, with wider caution zones across the Gulf, and the advisory has been extended on a rolling basis. For Europe–Australia travellers, Gulf routings are not dependable for time-sensitive trips right now.

For the fuller picture, see our Middle East air travel disruptions update. Until restrictions lift, the alternatives above remain the safer choices.

European Carrier Suspensions to New Zealand

British Airways, Lufthansa, and Air France suspended their New Zealand routes on 21 March 2026. Resumption has slipped amid the renewed escalation and remains subject to security conditions — confirm directly with the airline, as timelines stay fluid.

For the wider picture on cancellations and rebooking, see our Australia and New Zealand flight disruptions guide. While these suspensions hold, routing through Singapore (via SIA or Air New Zealand) or Hong Kong (via Cathay Pacific) remains the most reliable option for New Zealand.

Practical Booking Advice

• Fares remain elevated: Economy fares between Australia and Europe are still well above pre-conflict levels, driven by reduced capacity and high fuel costs. Expect them to stay high until Gulf carrier operations fully normalise.
• Gulf carriers remain volatile: Emirates, Qatar Airways, and Etihad had rebuilt much of their networks, but the July escalation and Kuwait airspace closure show how fast the situation can deteriorate. Avoid Gulf connections for time-sensitive travel until operations stabilise.
• Book separately: When routing through multiple carriers and hubs, book segments separately to maximise flexibility and minimise rebooking complications.
• Transit visas: Verify transit visa requirements for each hub (Singapore, Hong Kong, Bangkok), especially if your layover exceeds the transit exemption period.
• Verify schedules: Confirm directly with airlines before finalising bookings. Schedules remain fluid as the situation evolves.
• UK Air Passenger Duty: From 1 April 2026, the UK’s increased Air Passenger Duty applies to all departing flights. For long-haul economy (Band C, over 5,500 miles), the rate is now £106 per passenger, with higher rates for premium cabins.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I still fly nonstop from Perth to London?

Not yet. Qantas suspended the nonstop QF9 service on 4 March 2026 and rerouted it via Singapore. Gulf airspace restrictions remain in effect, and Qantas has said it will only restore the nonstop once those restrictions are lifted.

What is the best alternative hub for flying between Europe and Australia?

Singapore is currently the strongest alternative, with Singapore Airlines operating daily Gatwick and Heathrow services plus a daily Manchester route from 13 July 2026. Hong Kong (Cathay Pacific) and Bangkok (Thai Airways) are also reliable options.

Can I fly through Dubai or Doha to get between Europe and Australia now?

It is not dependable right now. Renewed US–Iran fighting in July 2026 forced fresh Gulf airspace closures, including Kuwait on 18 July, disrupting flights across the region. Until the situation stabilises, routing through Singapore, Hong Kong, or Bangkok is more predictable.

When will European airlines resume flights to New Zealand?

British Airways, Lufthansa, and Air France suspended New Zealand services on 21 March 2026. Resumption has slipped amid the renewed escalation and depends on security conditions, so confirm directly with the airline before booking.

When does the Finnair Melbourne route start?

Finnair’s daily Helsinki–Bangkok–Melbourne service is scheduled to launch on 25 October 2026. Bookings are already open on finnair.com.

Sources

1. EASA — Middle East and Persian Gulf CZIB
2. Qantas Travel Updates
3. Singapore Airlines Newsroom
4. Cathay Pacific Timetable
5. Finnair
6. Thai Airways — Australia to Europe Flights
7. UK Air Passenger Duty Rates 2026-27 — GOV.UK
8. Smartraveller — Middle East Conflict Travel Impacts

Disclaimer: Wego strives to ensure all information presented in this article is accurate and up to date at the time of publication. Travel policies, prices, visa requirements, and conditions can change rapidly. We strongly recommend verifying critical details with official sources before making travel decisions. Wego does not accept liability for any inaccuracies, oversights, or changes that may occur after publication.