Quick summary
Global airlines suspended flights across the Middle East on February 28, 2026, after the United States and Israel launched coordinated strikes on Iran beginning at 1:15 a.m. EST. Iran retaliated with approximately 35 ballistic missiles targeting Israel and strikes on 14 US military bases across Bahrain, Kuwait, Qatar, Jordan, Iraq, Saudi Arabia, and the UAE, also hitting Kuwait and UAE airports. The Strait of Hormuz closed, disrupting oil and gas shipments, while Houthi forces resumed Red Sea attacks.
Travelers on Middle East, Europe-Asia, and US-Asia Pacific routes face immediate cancellations with no clear resumption timeline as airspace closures persist. This article covers the strike timeline, affected routes, airline responses, and rebooking options for stranded passengers.
The coordinated military operation began at approximately 9:45 a.m. Iran Standard Time (1:15 a.m. EST) on February 28, deploying US B-2 bombers, cruise missiles, drones, and Israeli jets that dropped over 1,200 bombs on Iranian military installations, government officials, and naval vessels. By 5:42 a.m. EST, Iran had launched 35 Emad and Ghadr ballistic missiles at Israeli targets and struck 14 US military bases spanning six countries.
Qatar Airways suspended all flights from Doha to European and Asian destinations. Emirates, Lufthansa, and Turkish Airlines canceled services through Iranian, Iraqi, and Gulf airspace. No airline has announced resumption dates as the Israeli Defense Forces confirmed operations against hundreds of Iranian missile launchers remain ongoing with no campaign end date set.
The closures affect travelers on three major route groups: direct Middle East connections, Europe-to-Asia flights transiting Gulf airspace, and US-to-Asia Pacific services using Persian Gulf corridors. Passengers holding tickets for the next 72 hours should assume cancellations and initiate rebooking immediately.
What happened and why flights stopped
US President Donald Trump announced the strikes via Truth Social video, calling for an Iranian uprising and framing the operation as regime change. The US military codenamed its component Operation Epic Fury, while Israel designated its strikes Roaring Lion. Both governments explicitly targeted Iran’s nuclear facilities, missile production sites, and senior leadership — the first joint campaign openly aimed at government overthrow.
Iran’s retaliatory strikes hit airports in Kuwait and the UAE in addition to military bases, forcing immediate airspace closures across the region. The Strait of Hormuz — a chokepoint for 21% of global petroleum liquids — closed to maritime traffic, while Houthi forces in Yemen resumed attacks on Red Sea shipping lanes. UN Secretary-General António Guterres convened an emergency Security Council session on February 28, warning the escalation posed a “grave threat to international peace.”
This represents a sharp escalation from the June 2025 Israel-Iran conflict, with the US now directly involved in strikes designed to degrade Iran’s military capabilities and trigger internal regime collapse. The Institute for the Study of War confirmed the operation’s dual objectives of nuclear/missile degradation and leadership targeting, marking a strategic shift from previous limited engagements.
The Strait of Hormuz closure ripple effect
The strait’s closure doesn’t just halt oil tankers — it forces cargo airlines to reroute around the Arabian Peninsula, adding 4-6 hours to Asia-Europe freight runs. Passenger airlines avoid the detour’s fuel costs by canceling services entirely, which is why you’re seeing blanket suspensions rather than rerouted flights. The last time the strait faced closure threats in 2019, jet fuel prices spiked 14% within 48 hours.
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Which routes and airlines are affected
Direct Middle East services: All flights to/from Iran, Iraq, Kuwait, Bahrain, Qatar, and UAE airports suspended. Qatar Airways grounded its entire Doha hub for European and Asian connections. Emirates canceled Dubai departures to London, Frankfurt, Singapore, and Bangkok. Etihad Airways suspended Abu Dhabi operations to Paris, Mumbai, and Sydney.
Europe-to-Asia transits: Lufthansa, British Airways, Air France, and KLM canceled flights to Bangkok, Singapore, Hong Kong, and Tokyo that normally overfly Iranian or Iraqi airspace. Turkish Airlines maintained limited Istanbul-Asia services by routing north through Russian airspace, though capacity dropped 60% as the airline suspended Gulf-transiting flights.
US-to-Asia Pacific routes: United Airlines and American Airlines canceled nonstop services from New York, Chicago, and Los Angeles to Dubai and Doha. Connecting itineraries through Middle East hubs face automatic rebooking, though replacement options remain limited as European carriers also suspended Gulf-transiting flights. Air Traveler Club’s fare tracking shows alternative US-Asia routings via Tokyo or Seoul now pricing $800-1,200 higher than pre-strike Gulf-routed fares.
Regional carriers including Oman Air, Kuwait Airways, and Gulf Air suspended all international operations. FlyDubai and Air Arabia grounded fleets at their respective hubs. No airline has issued resumption timelines, with spokespeople citing “evolving security conditions” and awaiting government clearance to reopen airspace.
What to do if your flight is affected
- Check cancellation status now: Use FlightAware, airline mobile apps, or call carrier customer service. Do not wait for email notifications — airlines are processing tens of thousands of rebookings and automated alerts lag by 6-12 hours.
- Rebook through airline websites or apps first: Most carriers waive change fees for conflict-related cancellations. Qatar Airways, Emirates, and Etihad offer full refunds or rebooking on alternative routes at no cost. European and US carriers extend similar policies for Gulf-transiting itineraries.
- Explore northern routing alternatives: Turkish Airlines via Istanbul, LOT Polish via Warsaw, or Finnair via Helsinki provide Europe-Asia connections avoiding Middle East airspace. Expect 3-5 hour longer journey times and limited award seat availability.
- Delay non-essential travel: If your trip isn’t urgent, postpone by 7-14 days minimum. The Israeli Defense Forces confirmed no end date for operations, and Iran’s Supreme Leader vowed “decisive response” to further strikes, signaling prolonged instability.
Questions? Answers.
Are flights through Turkish or Egyptian airspace safe alternatives?
Turkish Airlines routes through Istanbul avoid Iranian and Iraqi airspace entirely, transiting southern Russia and the Caucasus to reach Asia. Egypt Air’s Cairo hub provides Africa-skirting routes to the Indian subcontinent. Both remain operational as of February 28, though monitor for capacity constraints as rebooking demand surges.
Will airlines compensate for hotel costs if I’m stranded mid-journey?
EU Regulation 261/2004 requires European carriers to provide accommodation for extraordinary circumstances like military conflict, but only if you’re stranded at an EU airport. US and Middle Eastern carriers have no legal obligation but typically offer hotel vouchers for passengers stranded at their hubs. Call the airline’s disruption desk immediately upon cancellation notification.
How long did airspace closures last during previous Middle East conflicts?
The 1991 Gulf War closed Iraqi and Kuwaiti airspace for 43 days. The 2003 Iraq invasion suspended regional flights for 28 days. Iran’s April 2024 drone strikes on Israel triggered 72-hour closures. This operation’s explicit regime-change objective and ongoing Iranian retaliation suggest closures lasting weeks, not days.
Can I still reach the Middle East for essential travel like family emergencies?
Commercial aviation to Iran, Iraq, Kuwait, Bahrain, Qatar, and the UAE remains suspended with no exceptions. Travelers with urgent needs should contact their embassy for guidance on military or chartered evacuation options, though availability is extremely limited and costs can exceed $15,000 per person.
