US - Iran strikes : What Americans need to know about flight disruptions

independent.co.uk · Mar 2, 2026 · Collected from GDELT

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Severe flight travel disruption is ongoing in the Middle East after air strikes forced the closure of major hubs in the region, including Dubai, the world’s busiest international airport.Waves of strikes by the U.S. and Israel on the Iranian capital, Tehran, and other key cities, followed by retaliatory strikes targeting neighboring Gulf states including airports and residential areas, led to the closure of airspace in the region.Tens of thousands of travelers have been left stranded and flights rerouted.America’s biggest carriers all canceled scheduled flights to the region, along with other major airlines such as Emirates, Etihad, Qatar Airways and British Airways.Around three million Americans travel to the Middle East per year. There are normally 340 scheduled flights per week from the U.S. to the Middle East, equating to 112,991 seats, with 107 scheduled flights to Doha, 87 to Dubai and 71 to Tel Aviv, according to aviation data firm Cirium.America’s biggest carriers have all canceled scheduled flights to the Middle East, with this map from Flightradar24 - dated to the afternoon of Monday, March 2 - revealing a vast no-go zone over the region (Flightradar24)These are the key questions and answers for American travelers:How widespread is the disruption?Developments are fast moving but signs indicate that this could be the most severe disruption to aviation in the region since the pandemic.Airspace over Iran, Iraq, Kuwait, Israel, Bahrain, the UAE and Qatar remained virtually empty, according to the most recent maps by flight tracking service Flightradar24.Around 4,000 flights a day have been cancelled across the region, according to Flightradar24.Delta Air Lines has canceled its scheduled New York (JFK) to Tel Aviv direct service through at least March 8. United Airlines has canceled all four of its scheduled Dubai and Tel Aviv flights, and American Airlines has suspended its direct service between Philadelphia and Doha.Emirates airplanes are parked at the Dubai International Airport after its closure in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, Sunday, March 1, 2026 (AP)However, Dubai Airports announced that “limited” flights would resume on the evening of Monday, March 2, from Dubai International Airport and Dubai World Central.Emirates and low-cost operator flydubai indicated they would resume some flights on Monday evening, and Etihad said it would resume some services Tuesday from its hub in Abu Dhabi, UAE.Which specific areas has Iran been targeting?According to U.S. Central Command, the Iranian Regime has been “actively targeting civilians in more than a dozen locations.” This has included Dubai International Airport; Kuwait International Airport; Zayed International Airport, Abu Dhabi; Erbil International Airport, Iraq; Fairmont Palm Hotel, Dubai; Burj Al Arab Hotel, Dubai; Crowne Plaza Hotel, Bahrain; and the Port of Dubai.What are passengers’ rights?If your flight departs from the U.S. and the carrier cancels it, or there is a significant delay, you are entitled to a full refund if you choose not to rebook but not compensation.If you do decide to rearrange the trip, you can do so at no additional charge.If there is a delay and it’s within the airline’s control - a staffing issue, for example - the airline might provide meal vouchers, hotel accommodation and ground transport, but it is not compelled to do so by law, according to the U.S. Department of Transportation.Passengers stranded by the closure of Dubai International Airport await assistance (AP)If the disruption is outside the airline’s control, as would be the case with the current conflict, you are entitled to a refund or rebooking, but the airline is not required to pay for hotels or meals. If it does so, it would be a gesture of goodwill.If you are flying on a non-American airline departing from the Middle East, your rights depend on the carrier’s own conditions of carriage.Gulf carriers tend to rebook passengers and provide food and accommodation in the event of delays.Is there wider disruption?Yes. Many flights that would normally use Iranian or Iraqi airspace are taking wide diversions, adding to journey times. There will also be knock-on delays as a result, and some flights may need to make refueling stops because of the longer routes. All of this adds up to continuing disruption.When airspace reopens, how quickly will things be back to normal?Even when flights resume, there is likely to be widespread disruption due to aircraft and crew being out of position.Airlines, including Emirates and Qatar Airways, are working at full stretch, so even when the schedule is back on track, it could be days, and possibly weeks, before some stranded passengers get where they need to be.