If you’re traveling from or through any airport in the Middle East this week, you are likely facing disruptions and cancellations. Early Saturday, the U.S. and Israel launched missile strikes on Iran, and Iran retaliated with strikes on Israel and several U.S. allies in the region, including the United Arab Emirates. Airspace and airports were closed across the region, affecting major hubs such as Dubai International Airport (DXB) and Doha’s Hamad International Airport (DOH). Although some airports and airlines have resumed limited service, more than 9,500 flights have been canceled so far.
What to do if you’re stranded in the Middle East right now
– Monitor official directives and be prepared to remain in a secure location for an extended period. Healix International advised travelers to “adhere to all official directives” and to watch airport operational status throughout affected countries.
– Enroll in the U.S. State Department’s Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) if you’re a U.S. citizen or national so you can receive alerts and instructions.
– Keep travel documents ready in case you can depart sooner than expected.
– In the UAE, the government announced it will cover hotel and meal costs for those stranded in the country while the situation continues.
What to do if your flight is canceled or delayed
– Massive cancellations are likely to continue. As of recent tracking, a high percentage of flights to and from Dubai and Abu Dhabi remained canceled. Flights from Asia and Africa that route through Middle Eastern hubs may also be affected.
– Contact your airline before going to the airport. If your flight is delayed or canceled, airlines generally issue travel waivers that let you change flights or request refunds; waiver details and dates vary by carrier.
– Start with the airline’s mobile app, then call the airline’s call center. If those fail, try contacting the airline via social media channels like X.
– If you rebook independently on another carrier, cancel your original booking. Airlines sometimes move passengers automatically or mark you as a no-show, which can eliminate refund eligibility.
Airlines to check for waivers and updates (check each carrier’s website or app): Air France, American Airlines, British Airways, Delta Air Lines, El Al, Emirates, Etihad Airways, KLM, Lufthansa, Oman Air, Qatar Airways, Royal Jordanian, Turkish Airlines, United Airlines, Virgin Atlantic.
Best tools for finding a new route
– FlightConnections: overview of worldwide flight routes.
– Google Flights: useful for routing options when you enter your departure airport.
– Flighty: shows alternatives when your original flight is canceled.
If your original carrier has no options, see if another airline has availability. Note that rebooking yourself is usually not covered by travel insurance or the original carrier unless the airline’s waiver explicitly allows reimbursement or refunds.
Proactive questions to ask your airline when rebooking
– Do my nonrefundable tickets qualify for a waiver or credit to use later?
– Do you work with partner airlines that may still be operating, and can I transfer my ticket?
Ask that all correspondence with the airline and any travel insurance provider be in writing to support claims later.
What travel insurance covers
– Most travel insurance policies exclude war or acts of war, declared or undeclared, so standard policies are unlikely to cover losses tied to this conflict.
– If a scheduled flight still exists but you choose not to fly, that decision is generally not covered (fear of travel is excluded).
– “Cancel for any reason” policies can provide coverage but are more expensive and reimburse at lower levels.
– If you book travel now, new policies will likely not cover the situation because it is a known event.
– Some major credit cards offer trip delay or cancellation protections if you paid with the card, but coverages vary—contact your card issuer for specifics.
Expectations and safety
– Airlines will try to reroute and redirect travelers, but with airspace closures there are limits to what they can do.
– Getting out quickly may be costly and not reimbursable. If you can find a safe place to wait until airports reopen, that may be the safest and most practical option.
– Keep records of expenses and any written communications with airlines and insurers to support possible claims or refunds later.
Final tips
– Be flexible, patient, and prepared to research and rebook routes yourself if necessary.
– Use airline apps and flight-search tools to identify alternatives, then confirm options with the airline.
– Keep documents and registrations (like STEP) current, and insist on written confirmations of waivers, credits, or rebooked itineraries.
