Stuck in Paris

An internet search comes up with a news.com article saying there are 115,000 Australians stuck in Middle Eastern airports, so when I say we are stuck in Paris, I am well aware of how lucky we are.

Israel and USA bombing Iran and Iran retaliating by bombing UAE and Qatar have caused chaos in the aviation industry. So many Australian flights to Europe stop over in the Middle East. Qatar (and co share airline Virgin Australia) stop in Doha, Emirates stops in Dubai and Etihad in Abu Dhabi.

Having done a few tiresome hours at these airports, I cannot imagine how these people must be feeling. Not knowing when they will get out of there.

When I say we are stuck in Paris, we were supposed to fly out on Sunday via Doha on Qatar Airlines.

So we know deep down, that flight isn’t going to work out, so what happens next. We don’t know.

Luckily, we are safe where we are now.

My best guess is that Qatar will allow us to cancel the flight without penalties. Then we will need to rebook with an airline that doesn’t fly via a middle eastern country like Qantas or Malaysian or Singapore airlines.

Here’s the poke in the eye. Travel insurance excludes war as a reason to claim disruption of trip. So we have to wear that cost. Seems silly now that we tried to find the cheapest, best value flight to get here.

I also feel for the people who didn’t get to go on their trip. Some got on the plane and were diverted back to Australia or some who have booked and the flights are all cancelled now.

Travel is always a privilege. Sometimes things go wrong. I feel for all those people in the thick of the war zone by default and the people who have been killed and the trauma to their families.

We may be inconvenienced but we are safe.

Update: Qatar’s most recent update has passengers with confirmed flights up until the 10th March can reschedule flights (not sure how that will work) or cancel and get a refund.

We have chosen the later and booked a flight with Qantas Paris to Perth direct.

We need to stay in Paris two more days. I know, but someone has to do it.