If you’re scheduled to travel internationally in the coming days, especially through the Middle East, this could very well impact you…
In this post:
Middle East flight cancellations & airspace closures
The United States and Israel have launched an attack on Iran. President Trump describes this as a “major combat operation” with the objective of eliminating imminent threats from the Iranian regime, “a vicious group of very hard, terrible people.”
Trump has urged the Iranian regime to “lay down” weapons or “face certain death,” and has called it their “only chance for generations.” He has also encouraged the people of Iran to “take over [their] government” after the operation.
In response, the Iranian regime has shot missiles toward countries hosting US military bases, causing even more chaos. Okay, make of this conflict what you will, but the point of this post is that it (obviously) has major implications for global aviation. Most of the major Gulf carriers have suspended all flights to and from their hubs, due to regional airspace closures.
Not only are many flights grounded, but we’re also seeing plenty of flights return to their origin or divert, as a result of these issues.
Expect flight operations to be impacted for days to come
It’s anyone’s guess how long this conflict lasts, but I would expect that this will have implications for flights to and from the Middle East for quite some time.
Furthermore, due to the way that Gulf carrier hubs are banked, this is going to be a pretty complicated recovery, when the entire operation stops for an extended period. At some point you just delay things in 24-hour chunks, so that you can start to normalize operations again.
Bottom line
Several countries in the Middle East have closed their airspace, as the United States and Israel attack Iran. As a result, we’re seeing tons of flight cancellations and diversions, with carriers like Emirates and Qatar Airways essentially shutting down for some amount of time.
So we’ll mark this as “developing,” but it’s definitely something to be aware of if you’re traveling in the coming days, given the domino effect of airline issues…
How do you see this playing out?
Reports on social media with video that the Palm Jumeirah in Dubai has been hit.
Looks like maybe the Fairmont. Not good.
Yes it was the Fairmont, really not good!
It's been a while, but I've stayed there. Unlike Israel, I doubt Dubai has many shelters, other than maybe underground parking garages, but even then, not ideal. Gonna be a lot of rethinking things after all this, especially if it's a prolonged conflict and not mere token retaliation.
It’s such a mess, the IRGC have just announced that the Strait of Hormuz is closed and under their control, that will impact global fuel prices.
Many crews and aircraft stuck out of home countries indefinitely...
Thank you, Donald J. Trump, the best President of all time. When you asked us to give you $1 billion for your campaign in 2024, we expected GREAT things in-return. So far, you are exceeding our wildest expectations. EPA regulations? Gone. New wars to raise the price of oil and make us excessive profits? Yes and yes. Keep it up, sir. Cancel elections. We need you forever. GOD BLESS.
Glad I flew EK out of Cape Town on Thursday instead of today.
When will US citizens see the Trump files, formerly called the “Epstein files?”
Phew! Strategic timing, sir. Hope you still had a nice time in SA. Did you bring back some malva pudding? Yum. (Also, for real, we need accountability, as long as it takes. Never forget.)
" Epic Fury " , a " Friendly Takeover" of Cuba and sending fighter jets into Canada. Since yesterday. I have a migraine.
This is the preparatory work for building a premier Iranian global carrier that can compete with any and all other Middle East carriers.
Delta's newest joint-venture... yikes.
you gotta clear the ground first.
Yeah, still waiting on Kam Air to make its debut as 'premier global carrier'... psh.
Not gonna happen anything soon, Tim.
YEAH AND IT WILL CALLED LIDDLE TOM DEUCE JET AIRLINES, RIGHT DUNCE?
No politics! If oppose our President, you are a traitor! There is no war! Special military operation!
Neocons alive and well in 2026
nO nEw WaRs... /s
Very unfortunate to see our country continue to align itself with Israel and continue to participate in this blatently one-sided partnership. That being said......it wouldn't sadden me in the least if Iran looked like Gaza by this time next year.
Classic... totally fine with mass civilian casualties... *facepalm*
FlightRadar24 messed up (with some very intelligent people saying "Big Time") by saying "airspaces" which people with a Strong Command of English lexicon know is "totally wrong" - "airspace" is correct seeing as it is both the singular and plural! The plurality of unintelligence! SAD!
Chat GBT says you’re wrong! Lol
The plural of airspace is airspaces. While "airspace" is often treated as an uncountable noun in general contexts (e.g."the airspace over the city")"airspaces" is used to refer to multiple, distinct, or specific, designated areas of the sky, such as different flight zones, air traffic regions, or types of controlled airspace.
Listen up, CreditDunce.
Firstly, no clue what Chat GBT is. I know only of "ChatGPT".
Secondly, STUDY English (like I have). I do have a Bachelors degree in English Studies and a Master degree in English Literature so I know ENGLISH! You do not want to start a "Battle of Languages" with me seeing as I will so thoroughly and excellently intellectually destroy you, a Destruction of which the likes you couldn't comprehend!...
Listen up, CreditDunce.
Firstly, no clue what Chat GBT is. I know only of "ChatGPT".
Secondly, STUDY English (like I have). I do have a Bachelors degree in English Studies and a Master degree in English Literature so I know ENGLISH! You do not want to start a "Battle of Languages" with me seeing as I will so thoroughly and excellently intellectually destroy you, a Destruction of which the likes you couldn't comprehend! Ask ANY Englsh professor ans they will agree that what I am stating is "Absolutly Irrefueutable'!
Yet your final sentence is filled with errors. Chat GBT is the same as ChatGBT duh. Anyhow moving on, it’s not always 100% accurate. I’ve never seen the word referred to as “airspaces”.
“Airspaces” is yet another fine example of American ignorance or corruption of the English language.
Alright, grandpa.
Short Term Pain for Long Term Gain.
Did you sleep-through the last 25 years?
Opposite is more likely.
Airlines are now cancelling services to Israel.
UA90 made it past Newfoundland this morning, then had to divert back to EWR returning 5AM. Oof. This is why we get travel insurance, folks.
Normally travel insurance does not apply to war. Do you know a provider whose coverage includes armed conflicts? Please share
Peter, if you purchased travel insurance before this conflict began, and your flight, say, UA90, which was scheduled for last night, got diverted, then cancelled, I'd expect refund (or rebooking, if possible) via the airline, and a valid claim through insurance for reimbursement of any prepaid accommodations/tours, etc. via Trip Interruption, at the very least. Otherwise, why on earth buy a policy if such an circumstance wouldn't be covered. No, basic credit card coverage won't...
Peter, if you purchased travel insurance before this conflict began, and your flight, say, UA90, which was scheduled for last night, got diverted, then cancelled, I'd expect refund (or rebooking, if possible) via the airline, and a valid claim through insurance for reimbursement of any prepaid accommodations/tours, etc. via Trip Interruption, at the very least. Otherwise, why on earth buy a policy if such an circumstance wouldn't be covered. No, basic credit card coverage won't help, but like a legit policy, yes, it should. However, moving forward, if you bought a policy today for anything to do with the region, I donno about that.
Funny that the Wag the Dog stuff continues right when NPR does an exposé that they hid hundreds of pages of the Epstein files pertaining to Orange Hitler…
I'm shocked... for the recipient of the FIFA Piece Prize to go to war... shocked!
to the current administration in the US . . . i guess they are now more interested in "United States of Israel" ha ha ha instead of MAGA or Freedom (involving any Nobel Peace price) anywhere in the World? :-o But any attack, anywhere in the world is keeping the US defense industry in the US alive.
The epstein files must be horrendous for pedo chump.
Thirty eight thousanddddddd mentionssssss
That’s how you declare the definition of a pedoooooo
(Sung to the theme of Rent)
Crikey - someone take out the cretin in chief running yankeeee land. What an utter embarrassment you Maga lot are.
All the MAGAts wondering what happened to the “America First”, non-interventionist candidate they voted for. Nice job!
Nah, they're in favour of all of it and they'll say they always were.
Until it's all discredited, that is. Then nobody will ever have been in favour of any of it.
;-) ;-) as always!
They have no problem doing a 180° pivot if daddy Trump tell them to.