I don't have the time to spell out all the details and options, but flights look pretty cheap to Asia (incl. DXB) in Y during the winter. Not sure whether this was posted already (I did a quick search)
Destinations: BKK, SIN, PEK, ICN
Price: Low to mid $600s from many US and Canadian locations (including some NS, such as AC from YYZ)
Who: Saw flights on Air Canada, Hainan, United, China Eastern, and a few others
When: Jan - April
Searchable on ITA and Google Flights