Travellers flying with Emirates have been sharing striking videos online showing almost empty aircraft cabins, as ongoing tensions in the Middle East continue to affect regional air travel.

When fighting escalated in the area about two weeks ago, many flights were temporarily suspended, disrupting journeys not only within the region but also on international routes. Since then, some airlines — including Emirates — have gradually restarted limited services. The carrier has indicated that it expects to restore its normal flight schedule in the coming weeks.

To offer flexibility during this period, Emirates announced that passengers booked to travel between February 28 and March 31 can change their flights to another date up to April 30 or request a refund if they prefer not to travel.

Despite the uncertainty, several travellers have still chosen to fly. Some are UAE residents heading back home to Dubai, while others are making long-haul connections through the city on routes between the United Kingdom and destinations such as Australia. As a result, several passengers have described experiencing unusually quiet flights with very few people on board.

One TikTok creator who divides her time between London and Dubai posted a video showing rows of vacant seats on her flight, commenting that she had never seen a Dubai service so empty before. The clip quickly gained significant attention online, with viewers curious about what the journey was like under such circumstances.

In the comments section, travellers shared mixed reactions. Some said they had recently flown through Dubai without any problems, noting that although their flights were calm and lightly filled, the experience felt safe and smooth. Others expressed hesitation about travelling to the region at this time.

Another social media user uploaded footage of her nearly deserted aircraft, describing the atmosphere as strange and unsettling due to the lack of passengers — something she said was highly unusual for an Emirates flight.

However, those who did go ahead with their trips discovered an unexpected advantage: extra space and comfort. One traveller documented his journey from the UK to Dubai and onwards to Australia, explaining that he was able to stretch out across an entire row of economy seats on both legs of the journey. He joked that the experience felt comparable to flying first class because so few people were travelling.

As airlines slowly rebuild their schedules and confidence returns, travellers are continuing to weigh the benefits and concerns of flying amid regional instability.

@jade.here So eerie #dubai ♬ A somewhat creepy and sad atmosphere music box - MoppySound

@alishhba.s Never saw a dubai flight this empty literally trusted @Emirates with our lives rn!! #dubai #war #flights #trending #fyp ♬ House featuring John Cale - Charli xcx & John Cale