Middle East Conflict and Flights to the USA
FR

Translated into English.

Original post
PA
Hi,

My friend is supposed to leave on June 26th for Philadelphia. American Airlines called him last night to ask him to cancel or postpone his flight because they’re canceling around a hundred flights from Europe, mainly due to fears of retaliatory attacks after the bombings in Iran. Their offer is either to postpone with compensation (the amount would be known once he accepts) or to cancel completely with a refund and the standard compensation for flights departing from Europe. The airline gave him until 24 hours before departure to decide. Otherwise, he can still go to the airport for now with no obligation to board since he’s traveling alone—they’re prioritizing families in case of overbooking due to some flight cancellations. The same goes for the return flight. In short, it’s total chaos. We’re waiting until tonight or tomorrow to decide whether to cancel outright.
Cordialement, Patrick.
US Usafan Globetrotter ·
I have to admit, things aren’t looking good for upcoming trips to the USA. Plus, if they’re doing this, it means they must have information we don’t. Because I don’t think there’s ever been this kind of cancellation before...

I’m still on the fence about my August trip... I made the wise decision to only book 100% refundable services for the first time ever. I had a good instinct about this one.

I’ll see how things play out...
Carnets de voyage : Ouest : https://voyageforum.com/discussion/video-time-lapse-road-trip-dans-ouest-usa-novembre-2013-carnet-voyage-d6301659/ Floride : https://voyageforum.com/discussion/retour-voyage-en-floride-21-mai-9-juin-2016-d7536021/
PA Patrick91230 Globetrotter ·
Hi,

Given the current situation, I think all tickets are refundable if the airline offers it. But honestly, it’s wiser to book a refundable ticket for that destination right now.
Cordialement, Patrick.
US Usafan Globetrotter ·
The press is reporting that Americans are being repatriated to the USA via Europe. This would explain the hundreds of canceled flights, which in reality are probably being used to bring American families home... Apparently, there are around 700,000 Americans in Israel alone, and several thousand in Iran. That’s already a lot of planes.
Carnets de voyage : Ouest : https://voyageforum.com/discussion/video-time-lapse-road-trip-dans-ouest-usa-novembre-2013-carnet-voyage-d6301659/ Floride : https://voyageforum.com/discussion/retour-voyage-en-floride-21-mai-9-juin-2016-d7536021/
PA Patrick91230 Globetrotter ·
We’ll be keeping a close eye on this, and we’ll have to make a decision anyway.
Cordialement, Patrick.
DE Dennis2 Regular ·
Hello,

Is this on a CDG/PHL route?

That’s pretty wild...
PA Patrick91230 Globetrotter ·
Hi It's a CDG-LHR-PHL round trip, and on the outbound, British Airways is operating the flight for AA. Yesterday, they needed 100 no-shows on the LHR-PHL leg without telling us why, but as mentioned earlier, it's likely repatriations from Israel via London. So, we just agreed—better to leave 3 days before departure than struggle in a hotel while trying to find another flight. We bought the ticket for $720, and they're refunding us $970.
Cordialement, Patrick.
MI Mitch341 Regular ·
The press reports that Americans are being repatriated to the USA via Europe. This would justify the hundreds of canceled flights that are actually likely being used to repatriate American families... Apparently, there are around 700,000 Americans in Israel alone, and several thousand in Iran. That’s already a lot of planes.

Hello dear friend! 700,000 is a huge number. Sure, there are American tourists, but not that many. Then there are dual nationals who don’t live in Israel and want to go home. Staying is expensive if you don’t have family there. France is talking about 250,000 French citizens in the area, but mostly dual nationals. Still, those who want to need to get home. And with Ben Gurion almost closed, it’s tough. France has sent A400Ms (I saw one on Flight Radar around 2:00 PM) or the bus to Amman and then a flight. Other French citizens are staying put.

It might be possible to find a solution around the end of the month. For my part, I’m giving myself until July 20th for cancellations. Wait and see.
Evita Bella ! https://www.flickr.com/photos/201886709@N02/albums/
MA Mathews Globetrotter ·
Good evening Patrick, I would have advised you to postpone the trip, but unfortunately, given the current situation, I’m afraid things won’t improve anytime soon 🙁 And the consequences of this crisis are that fuel prices are likely to rise, so airlines will be forced to pass on the increased fuel costs to ticket prices. Oh, and on a side note—something that isn’t mentioned in the media—is that the more tense the political situation gets, the more oil producers profit... follow my gaze... Right now, Iran could block the Strait of Hormuz
DE Dennis2 Regular ·
And the consequences of this crisis are that fuel prices could rise, so airlines will be forced to pass on the increased fuel costs to ticket prices.

So it's a good idea to have several flight tickets in advance.

For the US, I have a flight in September—I’m confident!
MI Mitch341 Regular ·
Oh, and on a side note—something the media isn’t talking about is that the tenser the political situation gets, the more oil producers profit... follow my gaze... the Iran might block the Strait of Hormuz

It’s clear for profits. For the Strait of Hormuz, 20% of the world’s oil passes through there, with nearly 80% of it going to China. And blocking the Strait would be a *casus belli* for the West, no question.
Evita Bella ! https://www.flickr.com/photos/201886709@N02/albums/
DE Dennis2 Regular ·
For now, it's Qatar that's closing its airspace... it's going to be a bit of a mess.
MI Mitch341 Regular ·
For now, it’s Qatar that’s closing its airspace… it’s going to be a bit of a mess.

Yeah, and it looks like Iran just launched missiles at US bases in Qatar and Iraq.
Evita Bella ! https://www.flickr.com/photos/201886709@N02/albums/
DE Dennis2 Regular ·
For now, it’s Qatar that’s closing its airspace.....it’s going to be a bit of a mess....

Yes, and it seems Iran has just launched missiles at US bases in Qatar and Iraq.

*..so many flights are turning back or circling on Flightradar*.. wasn’t the best day to fly to Asia via the Gulf..
MI Mitch341 Regular ·
For now, it’s Qatar that’s closing its airspace.....it’s going to be a bit of a mess....

Yes, and it seems Iran has just launched missiles at US bases in Qatar and Iraq.

"...so many flights are turning back or circling on Flightradar... wasn’t the best day to fly to Asia via the Gulf..."

The United Arab Emirates have also just closed their airspace.
Evita Bella ! https://www.flickr.com/photos/201886709@N02/albums/
MA Mathews Globetrotter ·
Thanks Dennis and Mitch for the info.
US Usafan Globetrotter ·
The figure of 700K is the one announced by the U.S. ambassador in Israel. So I think we’re not far off. Yeah, you’re right—I’m also waiting to see how things play out. But I’ll admit, it’s not very reassuring.
Carnets de voyage : Ouest : https://voyageforum.com/discussion/video-time-lapse-road-trip-dans-ouest-usa-novembre-2013-carnet-voyage-d6301659/ Floride : https://voyageforum.com/discussion/retour-voyage-en-floride-21-mai-9-juin-2016-d7536021/
MI Mitch341 Regular ·
The figure of 700K was announced by the American ambassador in Israel. So I think we’re not far off. Yeah, you’re right, I’m also waiting to see. But I have to say, it’s not very reassuring.

As of today, Donald would have decided on a ceasefire for the two belligerents. The conditions remain to be seen. I think all flights will be restored in 2 or 3 days. Unless the Houthis in Yemen decide to add fuel to the fire. Wait and see.

And for entering the States, it might get tricky for some travelers.
Evita Bella ! https://www.flickr.com/photos/201886709@N02/albums/
CE Cerelinde Veteran ·
Hello,

I’ll be following this thread closely since I’m heading to the USA for the first time in September. I’m flying with Iberia, but part of the journey is operated by American Airlines. My flights have already changed twice since booking, though that was before recent events. September still gives some time to see how things play out, but the situation is unstable and uncertain—today’s updates even seem contradictory. There was a ceasefire announced this morning, but it’s already been undermined since, if I’m following correctly?
PA Patrick91230 Globetrotter ·
Hi,

Yes, it seems AA changes or cancels tickets at will. In fact, before I canceled with AA's consent, they had changed my flight three times without saying anything since March. I only found out by checking my ticket on AA's website and was surprised to see the successive changes. So I’d advise you to check your ticket status regularly on AA’s site until your departure.
Cordialement, Patrick.
US Usafan Globetrotter ·
I’m also flying with Iberia this year, in September too. Yeah, it looks like the ceasefire only lasted a few minutes.
Carnets de voyage : Ouest : https://voyageforum.com/discussion/video-time-lapse-road-trip-dans-ouest-usa-novembre-2013-carnet-voyage-d6301659/ Floride : https://voyageforum.com/discussion/retour-voyage-en-floride-21-mai-9-juin-2016-d7536021/
CE Cerelinde Veteran ·
Thanks for the advice. Those sudden changes were already pretty unsettling, and with the current situation... We’ll see how it goes.
CE Cerelinde Veteran ·
Alright, let's keep our fingers crossed and hope the situation stabilizes by then.
DE Dennis2 Regular ·
Hello, I also have a flight to the US in September with AF/Delta—I’m feeling confident about it.

These days, it’s better to take the North Atlantic route than to head to Asia via the Gulf.
CE Cerelinde Veteran ·
It's true, yesterday a lot of flights heading to Asia were diverted, delayed, or canceled—total chaos. I actually considered Asia, which I already know and love, but I wanted a change. I hope I won’t regret my choice. For now, I’m feeling confident, though my partner is much less so. Worst case, we’ll change our plans—all our bookings are refundable, though I’m a little unsure about the flights. I even took out insurance (which I never do, so I must’ve sensed something!), but I don’t know if this kind of situation is covered under the terms.
TA Tatra Globetrotter ·
Good evening,

even though I took out insurance (which I never do, by the way—guess I must’ve sensed something!) but I don’t know if this kind of situation is covered in the terms.

If you’re talking about cancellation insurance, no, that’s not related at all.

As for the rest, I don’t think airlines can afford to freeze traffic for long. President Trump is so pragmatic and unpredictable that in a month’s time, he might even be welcoming the Iranians to Mar-a-Lago and treating them like allies.

Michel
MI Mitch341 Regular ·
President Trump is so pragmatic and surprising that he might well receive the Iranians at Mar-a-Lago in a month and see them as allies.

Michel

That’s exactly it. [;)
Evita Bella ! https://www.flickr.com/photos/201886709@N02/albums/
MA Mathews Globetrotter ·
which I never do, by the way—guess I must’ve sensed it!) but I don’t know if this kind of situation falls under the terms and conditions.

Good evening, your intuition was spot-on because we have no idea what’s going to happen in the coming days. At 10:25 PM, CNN reports that the Iranian targets weren’t destroyed, which was somewhat predictable. So once again, we don’t know what’s going to happen next. As for Trump’s supposed pragmatism, that politician mixes up geopolitics/macroeconomics and business way too much. He’s an excellent real estate promoter, not a head of state 😉
US Usafan Globetrotter ·
This space is, for once, meant for a positive exchange about travel, friends. Please refrain from sharing opinions on any politician. 😉
Carnets de voyage : Ouest : https://voyageforum.com/discussion/video-time-lapse-road-trip-dans-ouest-usa-novembre-2013-carnet-voyage-d6301659/ Floride : https://voyageforum.com/discussion/retour-voyage-en-floride-21-mai-9-juin-2016-d7536021/
MI Mitch341 Regular ·
This place is, for once, a space for well-being and travel discussions, my friends. Please, let's refrain from sharing our opinions on any politician. 😉

You're absolutely right to point that out, Dear Fellow Traveler. There's nothing worse than politics to upset people. Every president is who they are. I avoid talking about mine, so I’ll refrain from discussing others. 😉

Back to travel—EL AL Israel is organizing an air bridge using its entire fleet, along with local low-cost airlines, to repatriate citizens scattered around the world. For "regular" flights, you’ll need to wait an extra day or two. Air France won’t return to Ben Gurion until July 14th.

The skies over Amman, Jordan, are open, and Gulf countries have resumed flights. Except for Iran, which is still closed this morning.

For now, my tickets are still good for August.😎 That said... wait and see.
Evita Bella ! https://www.flickr.com/photos/201886709@N02/albums/

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