About air companies and SRS

[Bird]

Not sure if this is the right forum to post this, I am sure if it ins't

I am just a tad worried about choosing a good airway company to take me to Thailand. I do realize that in terms of safety and service it would be ok to choose one of the most reputable ones and I can always search for it on the internet. Anyway, in terms of pricing the most affordable ones are:
Etihad airways
Qatar airways
Emirates.

I have went to dubai before through Emirates and had no problems at all. It is just that as I have been checking prices and the other two have been much more affordable. Qatar does a stop in Qatar before going to Bangkok and Etihad in Abu Dabhi. Abu Dabhi is a town a lot like Dubai, so I think it would not be a problem.

What am I getting at? Well, safety! I will be travelling alone and I don't want to have any problems in a Islam country because of their religious laws. Just knowing that Qatar is a dictatorship and their law is under Charia Law has me want to avoid the country completely, even if Qatar Airways provide good service.  What do you girls think, am I being overly zealous?

[Ms Grace]

My main concern would be around their attitude towards unaccompanied women, you might also need to consider what is "appropriate" attire for a woman there.

By the way, it's "Sharia".

[AnonyMs]

I wouldn't transit the Middle East, you can be thrown in jail just for having drugs in your blood, and there's a good chanced you'll have a lot of them after surgery.

[SorchaC]

This is a situation many US patients face when choosing BKK as a surgery location. I have used Emirates a few times and while it is true that the UAE has many laws outsiders raise their eyebrows at I have never encountered any problems.

The first question to ask is, Are you planning an overnight break in your transit city or are you just going to change plane and continue the journey? Entering the UAE is a very different proposition to remaining airside and waiting for an onward connection. The next question would be about your attire, If you're going to wear the shortest mini skirt and skimpiest top you can find then you will certainly attract more attention than if you dress modestly. If you show respect for the religious sensitivities of the country you will have no problems airside in any of the 3 airports mentioned. I have a friend who is British but lives in Malaysia and she travels on Qatar from Kuala Lumpur to USA every 8 weeks and she dresses smartly and has no problems. Qatar Airways are consistently voted among the worlds best airlines. If want to see Dubai Airport there is a programme called Ultimate Airport Dubai you can watch on Youtube which will let you see how people dress and behave on both sides of immigration.

If you are still concerned many Asian airlines operate the route too at very reasonable prices. There are always deals on offer closer to your date. If you need specific help please PM me I deal with peoples travel all the time. My personal choice from the 3 airlines you mentioned would be Qatar Airways but then I choose my air carrier based on the services offered on the flight and the aircraft type used.

Hope that helps

Hugs


Sorcha 

[AnonyMs]

I've read about non-trans people transiting the Middle East with necessary drugs and planning on not leaving the airport so they will be safe legally, only the plane breaks down and they have a 24 hour stopover, and have to leave. Chuck your meds, or get thrown in jail?

Usually people just get luck and nothing happens, but there's plenty of scope for disaster. I'm never transiting there.