Superdeals: 40–80% off flights from North America to Iran

Direct flight routes to Iran

Currently there are no direct flights between North America and Iran.

Layover/stopover options

Istanbul (IST) – Turkish Airlines’ main hub offers frequent connections to Tehran, Shiraz, and Mashhad. Average connection time is 3-4 hours. The airport features a large duty-free area and free city tours for layovers over 6 hours.

Doha (DOH) – Qatar Airways provides multiple daily flights to Iranian cities. Typical layover time is 2-5 hours. Modern airport with excellent lounges and the famous giant teddy bear landmark.

Dubai (DXB) – Emirates operates regular flights to several Iranian destinations. Connection times average 4 hours. The airport offers extensive shopping options and a rest & relaxation area with sleeping pods.

Frankfurt (FRA) – Lufthansa connects to Tehran with reliable schedules. Average connection time is 2-3 hours. The airport features efficient transit processes and good terminal connectivity.

Time vs money

One-stop flights through Middle Eastern hubs typically offer the best value for money. Adding more stops generally reduces ticket prices but significantly increases total travel time.

Tips and recommendations

• Book flights through Istanbul or Doha for the most reliable connections and frequency of flights to Iran


• Consider breaking long journeys with an overnight stay in Istanbul, which doesn’t typically increase the fare significantly


• Avoid booking separate tickets for different legs of the journey as this creates risks with missed connections


• Tuesday and Wednesday departures often offer lower fares


• Gulf carriers frequently offer promotional fares during off-peak seasons (January-March)

• Turkish Airlines via Istanbul offers the best price-to-comfort ratio for Iran flights, with fares averaging 15-20% below market rates from major US hubs. Their wide-body aircraft (primarily Boeing 787-9) features industry-leading Economy seats with 32-inch pitch and extensive IFE options. Istanbul’s efficient transit process and frequent connections to Tehran, Shiraz, and Mashhad make it an optimal routing choice.
• Flying through Doha on Qatar Airways provides superior comfort with their QSuite-equipped aircraft on US routes, though prices tend to be 10-15% higher than Turkish Airlines. Their extensive US network (now serving 12 cities) allows convenient one-stop service to Iran through their modern Hamad International hub. Qatar maintains reliable daily frequencies to Tehran and several weekly flights to other Iranian cities.
• Emirates’ fifth freedom routes from Athens and Milan to New York offer an interesting alternative with potential savings of up to 25% compared to direct US-Dubai flights. These routes typically use Boeing 777-300ERs with their latest Economy product, and connection times in Dubai to Iran destinations are optimized for these flights.
• For West Coast travelers, Korean Air via Seoul presents an unconventional but often cheaper option, with fares frequently 20% below Middle Eastern carriers. Their spacious Economy configuration (33-34 inch pitch) and generous baggage allowance make the longer routing more comfortable, while their Tehran service maintains consistent reliability.
• Departing from Canadian hubs like Toronto or Montreal, consider Lufthansa’s services via Frankfurt, offering competitive fares and reliable connections to multiple Iranian cities. Their recent aircraft upgrades on North American routes and streamlined connection process in Frankfurt offset the slightly longer total journey time.

1. Booking direct flights that don’t exist No U.S. or Canadian carriers operate direct flights to Iran due to diplomatic restrictions, so travelers waste time searching for nonexistent routes and need to plan for connections through major hubs in Turkey, Qatar, or the UAE.
2. Missing visa requirements check before booking Many travelers book flights without realizing that U.S. and Canadian citizens need to obtain their visa in advance through Iranian consulates, which can take several weeks to process and may affect flight dates.
3. Ignoring seasonal price variations Flight prices to Iran spike significantly during Nowruz (Persian New Year) in March, yet many travelers fail to book several months ahead for this period, resulting in extremely high fares.
4. Choosing wrong transit airports Selecting layovers in airports like Jeddah or Kuwait instead of more reliable and comfortable hubs like Istanbul or Doha can lead to longer transit times and potential visa complications.
5. Flying into secondary Iranian airports Booking flights to cities other than Tehran’s Imam Khomeini International Airport often results in more complicated connections and potential domestic flight issues within Iran.

Turkish Airlines

Best for: Most extensive network of flights from North America to Iran with excellent service quality.

Serves 12 US/Canadian cities to Tehran, with biggest volumes from New York (JFK), Chicago (ORD), and Los Angeles (LAX). Single stopover in Istanbul typically runs 2-4 hours. Economy class offers generous 32-inch seat pitch, quality Turkish cuisine, and comprehensive entertainment system. Consistently rated 4 out of 5 stars by passengers for Iran routes. Complimentary Istanbul tours available during longer layovers.

Qatar Airways

Best for: Superior comfort and service quality in Economy Class.

Operates from 7 North American cities to Tehran, primarily from New York (JFK), Montreal (YUL), and Washington (IAD). Doha stopover averages 3-5 hours. Features spacious 3-3-3 configuration with 33-inch pitch in Economy, award-winning catering, and extensive entertainment options. Passengers consistently rate Iran routes 4.5 out of 5 stars, praising seat comfort and crew service.

Emirates

Best for: Most reliable connection times and baggage handling for Iran flights.

Services 9 North American destinations to Tehran, with highest frequency from New York (JFK), Toronto (YYZ), and Boston (BOS). Dubai layover typically 2-3 hours. Economy offers 32-inch pitch, regionally inspired meals, and extensive entertainment selection. Maintains 4.2 out of 5 star rating for Iran routes, with passengers highlighting punctuality and smooth connections.

Lufthansa

Best for: Most punctual European carrier for Iran flights with German efficiency.

Connects 6 North American cities to Tehran, mainly from New York (JFK), Chicago (ORD), and Vancouver (YVR). Frankfurt or Munich stopovers average 2-3 hours. Economy provides 31-inch pitch, quality German catering, and reliable entertainment system. Maintains consistent 4 out of 5 star rating, with passengers praising organization and reliability of services.

Strategic use of APAC carriers for Iran travel

When traveling from North America to Iran, leveraging Asian regional carriers can significantly reduce costs while providing more flexible routing options. This strategy, known as “segment breaking,” involves booking separate tickets rather than a single long-haul flight.

1. Book to major Asian hubs first – Find deals to Bangkok, Kuala Lumpur, or Singapore using major carriers like Korean Air or EVA Airways
2. Utilize regional carriers – From these hubs, airlines like AirAsia, Thai Airways, or Malaysia Airlines often offer competitive rates to Tehran
3. Consider secondary airports – Flying into Isfahan or Shiraz via Middle Eastern connections can be cheaper than Tehran direct

The key money-saving benefits include:

1. Regional Asian carriers often price 30-40% lower than major international airlines
2. More frequent promotions and flash sales on shorter regional routes
3. Greater flexibility to stopover in Asian cities at no additional cost

While this approach requires more planning and potentially longer travel times, savings can exceed $600 per round trip. Remember to allow ample connection time when booking separate tickets, as airlines won’t provide protection for missed connections.