Qatar Airways Concludes Flexible Change Policy for Post-May 15 Bookings
Qatar Airways recently disclosed its decision to terminate the flexible change policy for tickets issued post-May 15, 2026. This move indicates a shift back to regular operations in the aftermath of the Middle East conflict, which had a significant impact on regional air travel earlier this year. Since February 2026, the airline had been offering complimentary date changes and refunds to passengers affected by airspace closures and security-related disruptions.
Passengers who have tickets issued by May 15, 2026, for travel dates between February 28 and September 15, 2026, will continue to be eligible for complimentary date changes. They can reschedule their travel dates up to October 31, 2026, on Qatar Airways flights, subject to availability and fare seasonality. This policy alteration follows the publication of Qatar Airways’ latest revised schedule, which shows a gradual increase in flights to over 120 destinations by mid-May 2026.
With regional air travel stabilizing, Qatar Airways anticipates expanding its international network to more than 150 destinations starting June 16, 2026. The airline had temporarily halted operations following the closure of Qatari airspace in early March, before resuming limited schedules. This update aligns with similar actions taken by Gulf carriers Emirates and Etihad Airways, as the region’s ‘Big 3’ airlines work to restore capacity and regain market confidence.
Source: Loyalty Lobby