Superdeals: 40–80% off flights from Australasia to Iraq

Direct flight routes to Iraq

Currently there are no direct flight routes between Australasia and Iraq.

Layover/stopover options

Dubai (DXB) – Emirates hub offering multiple daily connections to Baghdad and Basra. Average connection times of 4-6 hours. Modern terminal facilities with extensive duty-free shopping and rest areas.

Doha (DOH) – Qatar Airways main hub connecting to Baghdad. Typical layover times of 5-8 hours. Award-winning airport with complimentary quiet rooms for longer layovers.

Istanbul (IST) – Turkish Airlines hub with regular flights to multiple Iraqi destinations. Connection times average 6-9 hours. Features Turkish Airlines’ stopover program offering free hotel accommodation for longer layovers.

Time vs money

Flights with shorter layovers typically command premium prices, while longer layovers often result in lower fares. Multi-stop routes through secondary hubs can reduce costs by 20-30% but add 10+ hours to journey time.

Tips and recommendations

• Book layovers of at least 4 hours when traveling through Middle Eastern hubs due to frequent delays on regional flights to Iraq


• Consider breaking journey with 24-hour stopover in Dubai or Istanbul to adjust to time zones


• Qatar Airways and Emirates often offer competitive rates when booking 3-4 months in advance


• Tuesday and Wednesday departures typically offer lower fares


• Check visa requirements for transit countries, even for short layovers

• Turkish Airlines offers the most comprehensive network to Iraq from Sydney and Melbourne via Istanbul, serving Baghdad, Basra, Erbil, and Sulaymaniyah. Their Economy Class on Boeing 787 Dreamliners features industry-leading 32-inch pitch and 18-inch width seats. Their fares typically run 15-20% lower than Gulf carriers for Iraq routes.
• Consider routing through Doha with Qatar Airways, which recently increased frequency to Baghdad and Basra to daily flights from both Sydney and Melbourne. Qatar’s service includes complimentary stopover programs in Doha with hotel stays starting from $14 per night, making longer layovers more attractive.
• Emirates’ new Premium Economy cabin is now available on Dubai-Sydney route, offering superior comfort for the longest segment of Iraq journeys at prices typically just 30% above standard Economy. The subsequent Dubai-Iraq leg operates on Boeing 737s with standard seating configuration.
• Budget-conscious travelers should look at combinations with low-cost carriers – flying AirAsia X to Kuala Lumpur, then connecting to Iraqi destinations via Kuwait Airways, which often offers fares 25-40% below major Gulf carriers. This routing requires longer layovers but can save substantial money.
• For travelers from Perth or Darwin, consider Malindo Air to Kuala Lumpur connecting to Iraqi Airways’ direct services to Baghdad and Basra. Iraqi Airways operates these routes twice weekly with newly acquired Boeing 737 MAX aircraft, offering competitive fares and good onboard comfort.

1. Booking flights without considering layover cities Many travelers don’t realize that the most common routes to Iraq from Australasia require stops in either Dubai, Doha, or Istanbul, and choosing the wrong connection point can result in significantly longer travel times or visa complications.
2. Flying directly to Baghdad International While Baghdad is Iraq’s main airport, flying into Erbil International Airport in Iraqi Kurdistan is often safer and offers better facilities for international travelers arriving from long-haul flights.
3. Booking during religious festivals Failing to check Iraqi religious calendar events like Ramadan or Ashura can lead to extremely high fares and overcrowded flights, as these periods see peak travel to Iraq from all over the world.
4. Ignoring early morning arrival times Many flights from Australasia via Gulf carriers arrive in Iraq between 2 AM and 5 AM, and travelers often don’t plan for transportation or hotel check-in at these awkward hours.
5. Not allowing enough connection time Due to frequent security checks and potential delays at Middle Eastern hub airports, booking tight connections under 3 hours can result in missed flights to Iraq.

Qatar Airways

Best for: Most extensive network with departures from 7 Australasian cities to Iraq.

Operates from Sydney, Melbourne, Perth, Adelaide, Brisbane, Auckland, and Christchurch to Baghdad and Basra via Doha. Features comfortable Economy Class with 32-inch seat pitch, high-quality meals with regional influences, and consistently rated 4.5/5 by passengers. Most flights offer convenient connections in Doha with layovers under 4 hours.

Emirates

Best for: Superior inflight entertainment and meal options on Iraq routes.

Serves Iraq from Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane and 3 other Australasian cities via Dubai. Economy cabin offers generous 33-inch seat pitch and over 4,500 entertainment channels. Passengers particularly praise their special meal options and cultural sensitivity on Iraq-bound flights. Average passenger rating 4.3/5.

Etihad Airways

Best for: Most comfortable Economy Class seats to Iraq with 33.5-inch pitch.

Operates from Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane and 2 other cities to Baghdad and Basra through Abu Dhabi. Known for their ergonomic Economy Smart Seats and “Flying Nanny” service for families. Connections in Abu Dhabi are typically under 5 hours. Passenger satisfaction averages 4.2/5.

Turkish Airlines

Best for: Most Iraqi destinations served, including Baghdad, Basra, Erbil, and Sulaymaniyah.

Flies from Sydney, Melbourne and 2 other Australasian cities via Istanbul. Despite longer average layovers (6-8 hours), passengers rate their Iraq services 4.1/5, praising the award-winning cuisine and cultural familiarity with the region. Economy offers standard 31-inch pitch but excellent Turkish hospitality.

Smart routing through Asia can save on Iraq flights

Traveling from Australia or New Zealand to Iraq often comes with hefty price tags on traditional routes through Dubai or Doha. However, leveraging regional Asian carriers can significantly reduce costs while adding flexibility to your journey.

Key money-saving strategies

1. Break the journey in Southeast Asia – Book separate tickets to hubs like Kuala Lumpur or Bangkok using budget carriers like AirAsia or Scoot
2. Utilize Middle Eastern regional carriers – From Southeast Asia, connect to Iraq using Gulf Air via Bahrain or Kuwait Airways through Kuwait City, often cheaper than major Gulf carriers
3. Mix and match airlines – Combine tickets from different carriers rather than booking a single itinerary. This can save up to 40% on total fare
4. Consider secondary Iraqi airports – Flights to Basra or Najaf can be cheaper than Baghdad, with good domestic connections

While this approach requires more planning and may mean collecting luggage between flights, savings can exceed $800 round trip. Key consideration: ensure ample connection time between separately booked flights, as delays won’t be protected under a single booking.