LONDON- Once again, the flag carrier of the UK, British Airways (BA) has decided to suspend another long-haul route following the Boeing 787 Dreamliner issues, this time it is the London Heathrow (LHR) to Abu Dhabi (AUH) flight.
The airline, which only resumed the route in April after a four-year pandemic-induced hiatus, cited persistent reliability issues with Rolls-Royce Trent engines powering its Boeing 787 Dreamliner fleet.
British Airways Suspends Abu Dhabi Flights
Currently operating a daily service to Abu Dhabi, British Airways will halt flights from March 30 to October 25, 2025.
This suspension contrasts sharply with the airline’s Dubai (DXB) operations, which maintain up to three daily flights using various widebody aircraft, including the Airbus A380 superjumbo.
London-based carrier has shared more information on a page titled ‘AUH Summer 2025 Route Suspension – 17 Dec 2024.’ Customers have two primary rebooking options.
British Airways allows passengers who have booked flights in a period between 30th March and 25th October 2025 to rebook seats on alternative flights operated by BA to Dubai, UAE.
Alternatively, passengers can rebook with partner airlines Etihad (EY) or Qatar Airways (QR), with travel dates restricted to within 14 days of the original booking. Remember Qatar Airways (QR) operates flights to Doha (DOH) and Etihad (EY) to Abu Dhabi.
Key rebooking provisions include:
- Ability to change origin/destination between LHR and LGW, or AUH and DXB
- Rerouting options via Doha (DOH) or Dubai (DXB)
- Rebooking into the lowest available seat in the same or lower cabin class
- Full refunds are permitted for canceled flights under standard conditions of carriage
Redemption ticket holders can rebook onto Etihad or Qatar Airways in redemption classes or onto British Airways via Dubai in the lowest available cabin.
Travel agents can self-manage rebookings through the Global Distribution System (GDS) by following the provided guidelines. British Airways emphasizes that entry and transit restrictions may change, and passengers should verify current travel conditions.
787 Grounding Affecting Long-Haul Ops
The carrier initially attempted to maintain its flight schedule by intensifying operations on older Boeing 777 aircraft. However, ongoing engine reliability concerns have compelled the airline to allocate dedicated maintenance time for these jets, disrupting its established route network.
In November, British Airways suspended two key routes connecting London Heathrow with Bahrain (BAH) and Kuwait (KWI), citing Dreamliner-related technical complications. Responding to public pressure, the airline has partially reversed the Bahrain route suspension, committing to a reduced three-weekly service during the summer 2025 season.
Also Read: British Airways Turns London-Dallas Route into Seasonal Service
The airline’s network restructuring extends beyond the Middle East. British Airways will cease operations to Dallas Fort Worth (DFW) by March 2025, with American Airlines (AA)—its transatlantic joint venture partner—absorbing the route’s capacity.
Simultaneously, the carrier is significantly reducing flight frequencies to Miami (MIA) and has already eliminated its Beijing (PEK) route while curtailing services to Hong Kong (HKG).
Also Read: British Airways Drop London to Delhi 3rd Daily Flight, Despite Strong Demand
Passenger Remarks
One traveler shared on Reddit that they received a notification about a canceled flight to Abu Dhabi in August 2025, presenting an immediate logistical challenge. With communication channels closed and an urgent need for resolution, the passenger strategically opted for a refund and rebooked to Dubai.
The passenger secured Club Suites accommodations instead of the original Club World seats.
British Airways must legally route passengers to their intended destinations, regardless of available reward flight options. This mandate ensures travelers retain fundamental transportation rights during route disruptions.
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