Yes — Thai Airways remains a reliable bypass for disrupted Gulf hubs, with its European flights running throughout the conflict.
A fresh strike on Kuwait airport on 3 June renewed disruption. Here’s how Thai Airways can help.
Why Travellers Are Still Looking Beyond Gulf Airlines
The conflict that began in late February 2026 disrupted airspace across Iran, Iraq and the Gulf. A US-Iran ceasefire has held since April, and Gulf carriers like Emirates, Etihad and Qatar Airways have rebuilt to around 80% of pre-war operations.
That recovery isn’t settled. On 3 June, a drone and missile strike hit Kuwait International Airport, reigniting disruption and pushing travellers to again seek routes that bypass the Gulf. Thai Airways is one of the strongest options.
Where Thai Airways Flies: Routes That Bypass the Gulf
Thai Airways serves over 60 destinations across roughly 30 countries. As a founding member of Star Alliance, it also offers seamless connections to partner airlines. For travellers rerouting away from Gulf hubs, the most useful routes fall into three categories.
Bangkok to Europe
Thai Airways operates direct flights from Bangkok to 11 European cities:
- London (Heathrow) — extra frequencies and wider-body aircraft added since the crisis
- Paris
- Frankfurt
- Munich
- Zurich
- Copenhagen
- Stockholm
- Oslo
- Milan
- Brussels
- Istanbul
Amsterdam is set to rejoin the network from 1 July 2026 with daily A350-900 service, marking Thai Airways’ return to the Netherlands after roughly 28 years.
These flights route east from Bangkok, avoiding Middle Eastern and Central Asian airspace. Thai Airways has confirmed its European flights do not transit Iranian or Israeli airspace.
Bangkok to Australia and New Zealand
Thai Airways operates direct flights to key Australian cities:
The airline is also expected to resume flights to Auckland later in 2026. None of these routes come near the conflict zone.
Connections Across Asia
From Bangkok, Thai Airways connects to major cities including Singapore, Kuala Lumpur, Hong Kong, Seoul, Tokyo, and multiple cities in China and India. This makes Bangkok a powerful connecting hub if your origin city doesn’t have a direct European flight.
How Thai Airways Has Responded
Thai Airways has kept its full European network running throughout the conflict, with no route suspensions. Its flights do not use Iranian or Israeli airspace, and they have been rerouted to also avoid Pakistani and Afghan airspace — adding only about 20 minutes per leg.
That keeps journey times to Europe around 13–15 hours, instead of the usual 11–12. It is a far smaller impact than the 1–3 hours that carriers rerouting around the entire Middle East have faced.
At its Bangkok hub, Airports of Thailand has kept extra assistance staff and information points in place for connecting passengers, with the AOT Contact Center (1722) operating 24 hours.
How to Book or Rebook Through Thai Airways
If Your Gulf Carrier Flight Was Cancelled
If a Gulf carrier cancelled your flight, you’re entitled to a full refund or free rebooking from that airline.
Emirates, Etihad and Qatar Airways had rebuilt to around 80% of pre-war operations by early June. But the 3 June strike on Kuwait International Airport disrupted services again — several carriers cancelled or suspended Kuwait flights, and the damaged main terminal remains closed.
Check your carrier’s status before you travel; our Etihad flight status guide tracks the latest disruption. Once refunded, you can book a fresh Thai Airways ticket on Wego or the Thai Airways website.
Thai Airways has raised fares by 10–15% on some routes and added a fuel surcharge on long-haul flights to offset higher costs. Booking early gives you the best chance at a reasonable fare.
If Your Thai Airways Flight Was Affected
Thai Airways has maintained regular service, but some flights have seen schedule adjustments. If your flight was directly affected:
- Airline-cancelled flights qualify for a full refund or free rebooking on the next available flight
- Refunds typically take 7–20 business days depending on payment method
- Contact Thai Airways directly through their website or your travel agent for rebooking assistance
Booking Tips
- Compare prices on Wego to find the best fares across multiple airlines and booking platforms
- Consider connecting through Bangkok if your origin city doesn’t have a direct Thai Airways flight to Europe — Bangkok is a comfortable transit hub
- Book flexible fares where budget allows, given how quickly the situation changes
- Look at Star Alliance partners. Thai Airways’ membership lets you connect seamlessly with airlines like Lufthansa, Swiss, SAS, and Turkish Airlines for onward European travel
Transiting Bangkok: What to Expect
Suvarnabhumi Airport handles over 60 million passengers a year and is well-equipped for connections. Key features for transit passengers:
- 24-hour passenger assistance desks
- Transit hotels and sleeping pods available landside and airside
- Free Wi-Fi and charging stations throughout the terminal
- Visa-free transit for most nationalities staying airside
If you have a longer layover and want to explore the city, many nationalities can enter Thailand visa-free for short stays. Check with your local Thai embassy for visa requirements.
Practical Tips for Rerouting via Bangkok
- Allow at least 2–3 hours for connections. With schedule adjustments still happening, don’t cut it too close
- Track your flight using our Thai Airways flight status guide for the latest on what’s flying
- Download the Thai Airways app for push notifications on schedule changes, gate assignments, and boarding updates
- Keep refund documentation. If you received a refund from a Gulf carrier, save all confirmation emails in case of disputes
- Get travel insurance. Look for policies that specifically cover conflict-related disruptions — many standard policies exclude war-related events
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Thai Airways still flying to Europe?
Yes. Thai Airways has maintained all 11 European routes throughout the conflict and added extra frequencies on the London-Bangkok route. Amsterdam joins the network from 1 July 2026 with daily A350-900 service.
Do Thai Airways flights fly over the Middle East?
No. Thai Airways has confirmed its flights do not transit Iranian or Israeli airspace. European flights have been rerouted to also avoid Pakistani and Afghan airspace, adding only about 20 minutes to flight times.
How much longer are Thai Airways flights to Europe right now?
About 20 minutes longer than usual, due to rerouting around Pakistani and Afghan airspace. Expect total journey times of 13–15 hours to European destinations instead of the usual 11–12 hours — significantly less than the 1–3 hour additions other airlines are facing.
Can I still fly to or from Kuwait?
Partly. After the 3 June strike, Kuwait International Airport’s main terminal was damaged and closed. Kuwait Airways resumed flights from Terminal 4 and Jazeera Airways from Terminal 5, while several foreign carriers cancelled or suspended Kuwait services. No full reopening date for the main terminal has been confirmed. Check the latest Kuwait airport status before travelling.
Can I use Thai Airways as a Star Alliance connection?
Yes. As a founding member of Star Alliance, Thai Airways connects seamlessly with partner airlines. You can book connecting itineraries through Bangkok to destinations served by Lufthansa, Swiss, SAS, Turkish Airlines, and others.
Are Gulf airlines flying again?
A US-Iran ceasefire has held since April, and Emirates, Etihad and Qatar Airways have rebuilt to roughly 80% of pre-war operations. However, the 3 June strike on Kuwait International Airport caused fresh disruption, with several carriers cancelling Kuwait flights. Schedules can still change at short notice, so check directly before travelling.
Sources
- Thai Airways Official Website
- The Nation Thailand — Bangkok to Europe Flights Extended
- Pattaya Mail — Thai Airways Maintains Normal Flights
- The Nation Thailand — Thai Airways Hikes Fares 10-15%
- Aviation A2Z — Thai Airways Amsterdam Route
- Bangkok Post — THAI to Gain From Mideast Airspace Closures
- LoyaltyLobby — Emirates, Etihad & Qatar Airways Operations (June 2026)
- CNN — Iranian Attacks on Kuwait and Bahrain
- The Washington Post — Iranian Attack on Kuwait Airport
- Khaleej Times — Kuwait Attack: Damage and Guidelines
- NPR — Kuwait Airport Hit by Iranian Drones
- EASA — Airspace of the Middle East and Persian Gulf
- OPSGROUP — Middle East Airspace Operational Picture
- The National — UAE Flight Suspensions and Delays
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.
