Flying over Russia?

Our group has just canned our SYD/DRW/LHR for a different airline without 6hrs over Russia. I'm told U.S. and UK carriers have already stopped overflying, with other EU carriers such as KL & LH from today. Quite apart from not fancying a tech/medical diversion or worse in those surroundings, several members of our group weren't keen on any of our fare dollars being spent bolstering Russia through overflight fees, even at the expense of their lost QF points!

I gather the PER/LHR route can go south - any chance of that being brought forward, even if it means transit pax stay on board?

Another option would be to shift DRW to LHR to flying over the Middle East. One would think QF would be considering their options.

There's staffing and scheduling issues for QF to consider if they shift the route, so it's not typically something that happens at short notice.

Bullswood, I’m sure alternative routings are in play here. I’m sure the Darwin Heathrow can also go south.

I imagine most QF LHR passengers have no idea they will be spending so many hours over Russia - the benefit of flat earth maps!

Just read a story on this and the Qantas captain having to explain to passengers in the lounge at Darwin why they were going to fly over Russia. I'm looking at flights later in the year and there is no way I would consider flying over Russia or China at the moment. I'm sure they will continue to justify it - until something goes horribly wrong.

I understand routing changed from tonight.

https://www.qantasnewsroom.com.au/qantas-responds/statement-on-london-flight-path/

From what I have read many airlines are changing their routes to avoid flying over Russia.. or alternatively Russia is banning then from flying over Russia. Bullswood (above) has the local response.

I have SIN/HEL booked for 21 April, Hard to not fly over Russia for HEL, I imagine by then even Finnair may have to travel via the Baltic.

Flew LHR-DRW today and the route went south over the Middle East and India. As a result it took an hour longer. Conversely on the way over to London last week we took a northerly route over Russia and shaved an hour off the flight time.

Personally not sure why there is an issue of flying over northern Russia when the conflict is to the south - the southern route actually took us a lot closer to Ukraine

I think it's a combination of safety, politics and dollars (roubles). Yes, the safety of overflying either country is questionable. But there's also the political consideration - many airlines and nations are making a point to Russia. Also, when an airline flies through another country's airspace, it pays the country for this privilege. And no-one wants to give Russia money for anything right now.

what other options and this applies from Sydney or Melbourne where the flights start for a Transit stop can they use without the hassles?far fetched ideas could be Tokyo,Los Angeles,Vancouver where the plane refuels then continues to London or at a Stretch Anchorage or Seoul.