Airlines and Cruise Lines Suspend Middle East Operations Following Start of Iran War

A new war in the Middle East is again forcing travel companies to alter plans. According to the AP, as of Monday morning, the U.S. and Israel have hit more than 1,000 targets across Iran. In response, Iran has launched waves of missile and drone attacks, targeting Israel, U.S. military bases throughout the region, and energy facilities in Saudi Arabia, and Qatar.

Airlines, which have been operating intermittently in the area since the most recent escalation of the Gaza war began in October 2023, are now being forced to cut schedules due to safety concerns. American Airlines suspended all of its flights between Philadelphia (PHL) and Doha (DOH). It also postponed its planned resumption of service between New York’s JFK and Tel Aviv (TLV), which had been scheduled for March 28, 2026.

American issued a waiver that covers not only Doha and Tel Aviv, but also several major regional hubs including Abu Dhabi (AUH), Amman (AMM), Bahrain (BAH), and Dubai (DXB). Travelers scheduled to fly to, from, or through those airports through March 15 can reschedule their flights as long as the new travel is completed within one year of the original ticket date.

Delta Air Lines has dropped all flights from New York’s JFK International (JFK) to Tel Aviv (TLV) through at least March 8, with return flights canceled through at least March 9. Delta’s waiver, which allows flyers to rebook for a new flight through April 15 or cancel without penalty, now covers all flights through March 31.

United Airlines canceled its schedule from the U.S. to Tel Aviv through at least March 6 and has two separate waivers in place. The first is for Tel Aviv and Dubai (DXB) and covers flights to and from those airports through March 7. The second waiver not only includes Tel Aviv and Dubai, but also Abu Dhabi (AUH), Beirut (BEY), and Erbil (EBL) starting on March 8 through the end of the month. Passengers can reschedule for a new flight without change fees or fare differences through March 31.

The Department of Culture and Tourism Abu Dhabi has requested that all hotels extend guests’ stays who are now unable to fly out due to travel restrictions, with the cost footed by the government, according to a notice issued by the organization.

Cruise Ship Impact

Update, March 6, 12:45 p.m. ET: MSC Cruises has currently organized flights for more than 1,500 guests who were on board MSC Euribia in Dubai to enable them to leave the region. As of this morning, a total of seven flights carrying MSC Cruises’ guests have departed the region.

These flights include dedicated charter services operated at MSC Cruises’ expense, seats secured in partnership with Emirates and Fly Dubai on scheduled commercial services, as well as some government‑organized flights.

Guests have been repatriated to a range of destinations, including the United Kingdom, Italy, Germany, Spain, the United States, and Brazil

Five cruise lines have ships scheduled to be in the Arabian Gulf area, with four lines already having ships in the area and unable to operate. Two – TUI Cruises and Aroya Cruises – are not sold to the North American market, but two – MSC Cruises and Celestyal Cruises – are.

According to a post on its Facebook page, Celestyal has canceled the March 2 sailings of its two ships in the region. The line had previously canceled the Feb. 28 sailings for both ships as well.

“We regret to inform our guests and travel partners that in view of the current circumstances in the Middle East, the Celestyal Journey cruise scheduled to depart from Dubai on March 2 and the Celestyal Discovery cruise scheduled to depart from Abu Dhabi on March 2, have been canceled.”

Celestyal Journey will remain alongside the port in Dohan until March 7. Currently, the line plans to resume its scheduled Desert Days itinerary on March 7 “subject to operating conditions.” In the meantime, guests currently onboard the ship have the choice to remain onboard or disembark in Doha at their leisure.

Celestyal Discovery is currently alongside the port in Dubai. Due to “instructions from local authorities,” the line is unable to disembark guests. The line is working with local authorities to get authorization and will begin disembarkation as soon as permission is received. The March 2 sailing of Celestyal Discovery was the last it was to operate in the Arabian Gulf this season and is due to reposition to the Mediterranean.

All guests who were due to travel on the canceled sailings will be offered the option of a full refund or a future cruise credit.

Reuters reports that MSC Cruises is keeping its Arabian Gulf-based ship, MSC Euribia, alongside port in Dubai per guidance from regional U.S. military authorities, while Seatrade Cruise News reports that the March 1 embarkation option for this sailing has been canceled. MSC Euribia departed Abu Dhabi on Feb. 25 and was due to finish the current sailing back in Abu Dhabi on March 4. It arrived in Dubai on Feb. 27.

In an email to TMR, MSC Cruises added that its upcoming cruise, scheduled to depart on March 7 has been canceled. All guests are being notified and will receive a full refund.

Furthermore, MSC is working with airlines to repatriate customers back to their home countries.

“MSC Cruises is working continuously with airline partners in the region, particularly Emirates and Etihad Airways, to identify and secure return flights for our guests,” a spokesperson said. “We are requesting priority for our guests from our partners. At present, airlines operating flights have indicated that they will follow an order of priority based on the original flight date.”

Additionally, the company is working on other options such as chartering flights from Dubai, Abu Dhabi or Muscat.

Hotels Hit in Dubai

Some five-star hotels in Dubai have reportedly been impacted by missile strikes. The iconic sail-shaped hotel, Burj al-Arab, caught fire after debris hit its exterior, according to The New York Times. 

Video footage shared by CNN and ABC News show a missile reportedly striking near Fairmont The Palm on the island of Palm Jumeirah. A fire appears to erupt from the air strike, but according to a statement from the hotel, the property remains “open and fully operational.” 

“We are aware that an incident took place in the vicinity of Fairmont The Palm amid the broader regional situation, with debris reported in a nearby car park,” Omer Acar, CEO of Fairmont. “Fairmont The Palm remains open and fully operational during this time while the safety and wellbeing of our guests, visitors, and team members remain our highest priority.   

“As events continue to evolve, we are closely monitoring developments and taking all necessary precautionary measures in coordination with the relevant authorities,” he added. “We are grateful for their swift response and ongoing support. Hotel teams remain vigilant, with established safety and security protocols fully in place.” 

There have yet to be any other reports of hotels impacted by the conflict. 

Travel Advisories

On Friday, the U.S. Department of State issued a Worldwide Caution travel advisory, telling Americans worldwide “to exercise increased caution” whether they are in the region or not. The advice remains the same for Americans abroad: enroll with the State Department’s STEP program to get the latest security alerts, and join the State Department’s WhatsApp group to receive streamlined updates.

The State Department also reissued individual travel warnings for Kuwait, Qatar, Bahrain, Israel, the West Bank, and Gaza. All of those warnings are at Level 3: Reconsider Travel due to unrest, terrorism, crime, or a combination of all three.