Delayed or cancelled in Doha or Dubai? An evidence checklist

At the airport: the first hour

1. Note the flight number and who operated it. On code-share tickets the marketing flight number and the operating airline can differ.
2. Ask the airline for the reason in writing, or screenshot the app notification. A spoken explanation is hard to prove later.
3. Keep your boarding pass and bag tag, even if you did not board.
4. Save every notice about the delay, cancellation, rebooking or gate change with its time stamp.
5. If you are offered a replacement flight, record the new times and whether you accepted it.

Do not rely on one source for times. The time that counts for most delay-based rules is when you reached the final destination, so keep proof of your actual arrival (a later boarding pass, a ticket for onward transport, or the airline’s own record).

If you were connecting through a Gulf hub

Many journeys between South Asia, Africa, Asia and Europe connect at a Gulf hub such as Doha or Dubai. When the segments are on one booking, the missed connection is generally assessed against your final destination rather than only the first leg. That makes the original ticket, the full itinerary and the final arrival time the key documents.

• Keep the whole itinerary, not just the disrupted leg.
• If you were re-routed, note the airline and times for each new leg.
• If your onward leg was on a separate booking, say so: the airline may not owe you the later flight.

Our missed-connection guide explains how the sequence of flights is treated, and the calculator lets you enter each leg.

Costs you may be able to recover

Separate from compensation, EU261 and UK261 can give a right to care while you wait (meals and refreshments, hotel nights, transport to the hotel) when the airline does not provide it. The rules differ for delays, cancellations and denied boarding. Keep itemised receipts and note why each purchase was necessary and reasonable. Our expense evidence schedule helps you organise them.

Read any voucher, rebooking or settlement offer carefully before accepting it, and keep a copy of what you were told.

Which regime applies, and where to ask

Before you write to the airline, check whether EU261 or UK261 can apply. The deciding facts are the departure airport and the operating carrier; see our article on EU261 from Doha and Dubai. Then use the airline’s official claim channel: the airline pages on this site list the one we have reviewed, and the letter toolkit helps you prepare a factual request.

You can claim directly at no charge. If you would rather use a claims company, understand its fee before you sign; our guide to claiming without a company explains the difference.

Keep it short and factual

• State the booking reference, flight number, date, route and operating airline.
• State the scheduled and actual arrival time at the final destination.
• Quote the reason the airline gave, if any.
• Say what you are asking for (compensation, reimbursement of costs, or both) and attach the evidence.
• Ask for a written reply and note the date you sent the request.

Keep a copy of everything you send. If the airline does not accept the request, the official escalation route depends on where the flight departed from; see the time-limits guide for deadlines.

Frequently asked questions

More from the blog

• EU261 from Doha and Dubai: when is your flight covered?
• Gulf to Europe: which airline rules apply, carrier by carrier