Military unrest in the Middle East is canceling flights, drawing travelers from around the world
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The unrest in the Middle East is disrupting air travel around the world and disrupting the flight schedules of many airlines, leaving passengers stranded at airports abroad.
Airlines around the world canceled flights after Israel and the US launched a joint attack on Iran as part of Operation Epic Fury.
Emirates has temporarily suspended operations to and from Dubai due to unrest in the region. It said it would resume “limited number” operations later on Monday and would prioritize customers with advance bookings.
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Etihad said in a statement that all scheduled flights to and from Abu Dhabi remain grounded until 2pm in the UAE on March 4. The carrier said some “repositioning, cargo and repatriation flights may be working with UAE authorities and are subject to strict operational and security approvals.”
Emirates and Etihad Airways have temporarily suspended operations to and from Dubai. (Johannes Christo/Reuters)
Both carriers urged passengers not to go to the airport unless the airline is notified.
US carriers operating in the Middle East have canceled flights and offered customers travel waivers.
American Airlines
The US and Israel launched a joint attack on Iran as part of Operation Epic Fury. (Michael Nagle/Bloomberg via Getty Images)
American Airlines said passengers traveling to, via or departing from Abu Dhabi, UAE; Amman, Jordan; Bahrain, Bahrain; Doha, Qatar; Dubai, UAE; and Larnaca, Cyprus, are eligible to have exchange fees waived if:
- They are traveling on an American Airlines flight
- Booked in any class of travel, including Basic Economy
- You bought a ticket on Feb. 27, 2026
- They are scheduled to leave Feb. 28, 2026 –March 15, 2026
- May travel February 28, 2026 – March 29, 2026
- Do not change the origin or destination city
- Rebook in the same cabin or pay the difference
- Cancel the trip and request a refund
Delta Air Lines
Delta has canceled flights to and from Tel Aviv due to unrest in the Middle East. (Photos by Patrick van Katwijk/Getty)
Delta Air Lines has canceled flights from New York’s John F. Kennedy International Airport to Tel Aviv, Israel, through March 8, and from Tel Aviv to JFK through March 9. The carrier said customers affected by the flight cancellations will receive notifications. Customers are scheduled to leave from Feb. 28 to March 31 can reschedule the trip or cancel their booking.
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Customers who choose to cancel their reservation can receive a refund for the unfilled portion of their ticket through Delta’s website, or the unused amount of the ticket will be issued as an email credit toward a new ticket.
The fare difference will be waived for passengers rebooking on or before April 15, 2026, in the same cabin as originally booked. Fare differences may apply if the original booking class is not maintained in the rebooked itinerary. If the journey takes place after April 15, 2026, the airline said the change fee will be waived but the fare difference may apply.
United Airlines
United has canceled service to Dubai and Tel Aviv until March 4 and March 6, respectively. (Tayfun Coskun/Anadolu Agency via Getty Images)
United Airlines has canceled service from the US to Dubai until March 4 and from the US to Tel Aviv until March 6. The carrier issued two layoff notices related to the unrest in the Middle East.
Customers who purchased flight tickets to or from Dubai or Tel Aviv on Feb. 27, 2026 or earlier with original travel dates up to March 7, 2026, can reschedule travel and will not be charged wave fees or fare differences.
However, the new flight should be a United flight from mid-Feb. 28 and March 15. The airlines said the tickets must be in the same cabin and between the same cities as those originally booked.
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Change fees will be waived for customers who book new trips after Feb. 27, 2027, or to a different destination, although he may have to pay the difference in fare. Travelers can get a full refund if they cancel or don’t take the trip.
The second notice covers Dubai and Tel Aviv and airports in Abu Dhabi, Beirut, Lebanon, and Erbil, Iraq.
Customers who purchased tickets on Feb. 28, 2026 or before with original travel dates between March 8 and March 31, 2026, can reschedule without change fees or fare differences.
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The new flight must be a United flight departing between March 1 and March 31, 2026. The airlines said the tickets must be in the same cabin and between the same cities as originally booked.
Change fees will be waived for customers who book a new journey after March 1, 2027, or to a different destination, although they may be required to pay the fare difference.
