Geopolitics in the Skies: Iran Conflict Could Disrupt Your Travel Plans

Geopolitical shocks, especially Iran's war and the ongoing Russia-Ukraine conflict, are disrupting air travel even for passengers not visiting conflict zones. Airlines reroute around danger zones, causing longer trips and higher fares; Middle East hubs like Dubai and Doha saw flights drop dramatically (from 13,000+ on Feb. 28 to about 800 on Mar. 1). Travelers should monitor flight status, review rebooking policies, enroll in the State Department’s STEP alerts, and consider travel insurance with cancel-for-any-reason add-ons. In addition, DOT rules now allow automatic refunds for significant delays/cancellations due to geopolitical events, and governments may offer evacuation options if needed.