Do planes avoid flying over Russia?

European, Canadian and U.S. airlines are thus forced to fly different routes to avoid Russia. Longer flights burn more fuel, meaning higher costs and emissions. Longer flights can also upend tight flight schedules, as well as breach limits on working hours for flight crew.



People Also Ask

While U.S., European and Japanese carriers have stopped flying over Russia, Air India and some Gulf-based and Chinese airlines continue to do so, making flying times shorter and giving them a cost edge over competitors.

MORE DETAILS

“Lufthansa will not use Russian airspace until 25 March 2023 for the time being due to the current regulatory situation. For this reason, all Lufthansa flights to and from Russia must be cancelled during this period.”

MORE DETAILS

Emirates, Qatar Airways, Air India and Turkish Airlines, Ethiopian Cargo, and most Chinese carriers have continued to fly over and to Russia.

MORE DETAILS

The planes of European airlines, like KLM and Air France, are therefore not allowed to fly over Russia.

MORE DETAILS

Top Airlines Offering Flights to Russia
  • United Airlines.
  • Lufthansa.
  • Alitalia.
  • Eurowings.
  • Delta Airlines.
  • Air France.
  • Turkish Airlines.
  • Finnair.


MORE DETAILS

United, British Airways, and Finnair are all avoiding the area. Russia's airspace is closed to many global airlines, forcing carriers to detour around the nation. Routes to and from Asia are up to four hours longer.

MORE DETAILS

Emirates, Dubai to Stockholm
What had been taking the airline 6-6.5 hours over Russia now takes 6.5-7 hours to avoid it. Given the need to avoid Ukraine too, Emirates' flights make a curve above Turkey, then loop through Romania and Poland en route to Stockholm.

MORE DETAILS

Following its invasion of Ukraine, Russia lost the ability to operate much of its commercial aircraft fleet outside Russia. Most of the aircraft operating for Russian airlines are leased from foreign lessors and subject to sanctions and repossession if they leave Russia.

MORE DETAILS