I had been unsure since booking whether to proceed with my Emirates itinerary from Frankfurt to Tokyo via Dubai, especially given the current situation and traveling with a small baby. Emirates’ free cancellation option gave me some reassurance, so I kept the booking while continuing to monitor updates up until departure.
We departed Frankfurt slightly ahead of schedule. The flight was only about 40% full, and many passengers were able to spread out across empty rows.
In Dubai, we had a 2.5-hour connection. DXB did not feel overly crowded (this was my first time there, so I cannot compare it to normal conditions). Staff in Terminal 3 were consistently friendly and the entire transit process was smooth. Most passengers also appeared calm, and the overall atmosphere felt surprisingly normal despite external concerns.
Boarding in Dubai was also straightforward, and the flight to Tokyo departed on time. That segment was much fuller, around 90–95% in Economy, while Premium Economy and Business Class had noticeable empty seats. I do not have visibility on First Class occupancy.
Overall, I am very glad we did not cancel the trip, as the experience was smoother than expected.
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