With recent tensions escalating between the US and Iran, many travelers have become quite nervous about flying internationally. Ongoing conflict in the Middle East has led airlines to avoid certain airspaces, causing disruptions and raising safety concerns for passengers traveling to and from the US to India.
However, aviation authorities continue to monitor the situation closely, and some airlines have adjusted their routes to maintain safety. There are still secure flight paths available between the United States and India, with planes rerouted around high-risk areas, allowing travel between the two countries to continue safely.
What This Guide Will Cover:
- What is occurring between the US and Iran
- Why flights are taking different routes/what areas are being avoided
- The safest flight paths to India
- How travel insurance applies to the conflict
What Areas Are Flights Currently Avoiding From the US to India?
Flying from the US to India is still generally considered safe, but routes are currently changing quite a bit.
Key Restricted and Avoided Airspaces:
- Iran & Iraq: Avoided entirely by many carriers.
- UAE (Dubai/Abu Dhabi): Airspace closures have impacted major hubs.
- Qatar, Kuwait, Bahrain, & Jordan: Airspace closed or restricted.
- Russia/Ukraine: Continued restrictions from previous conflicts.
What Are The Safest Flight Options From the US to India?
While many flights are being lengthened or cancelled, there are still travel routes that are safe for travelers from the US to India.
Routes via East Asia
Flights connecting through Japan, South Korea, or Singapore will remain far from the conflict region, going from the US around the Pacific and through East Asia with airlines like Japan Airlines and Cathay Pacific being safe options.
Airlines to consider:
- United Airlines
- All Nippon Airways via Tokyo
- Korean Air via Seoul
- Singapore Airlines via Singapore
- Cathay Pacific
- Japan Airlines via Tokyo
Routes via Europe
Flights between the US and India via Europe are a safe option during the conflicts between the US and Iran, with airways like Air France, British Airways, and Lufthansa avoiding the Middle East entirely and going through Europe instead.
Airlines to consider:
- Lufthansa
- Air France / KLM
- British Airways
- Swiss
What Are The Safest Flight Options From India Back to the US?
When flying back from India to the US, the safest flight paths are quite similar to those of the initial journey. However, there are a few extra things to consider.
Many Air India flights to the US, Canada, and Europe are still being affected by the current conflict between the US and Iran. Flights to New York JFK for example, will still be operating with an alternative route through Rome.
Routes via East Asia
Coming back from the US from India via East Asia is still a safe option during this conflict. Going from India, through East Asia, and over the Pacific back to the U.S. allows for flights to avoid the Middle East regions.
Airlines to consider:
- Singapore Airlines
- Japan Airlines
- Cathay Pacific
- All Nippon Airways
- Korean Air
Routes via Europe
Europe is becoming one of the main spots that flights are rerouting through from India to the US to avoid conflict zones.
Airlines to consider:
- Lufthansa
- Air France
- Air India
- British Airways
- KLM
- Swiss International Air Lines
Can Travel Insurance Protect Me During The US, Israel and Iran Conflict?
Due to the recent attacks involving the U.S., Israel, and Iran, many travelers are wondering whether their travel insurance will cover disruptions. With widespread flight cancellations, reroutes, and longer travel times affecting journeys around the globe, understanding your insurance coverage is now a major concern for anyone planning or currently on a trip.
Unfortunately, standard travel insurance will likely not cover cancellations if the war or act of terrorism is already known prior to travel. If warnings and announcements have already been made, then policies will likely not cover events like war.
If you have purchased insurance prior to these announcements, be sure to check if such circumstances are covered, as policies may have exclusions and limits. While war is not always covered, acts of terrorism often are.
How Can I Get the Support I Need?
Traveling during this time of war and conflict can create anxiety and uncertainty for travelers. If you need additional support or have questions, our Customer Success Team is more than happy to help.
- Flights between the US and India remain operational, but airlines are rerouting to avoid high-risk airspace.
- Several Middle Eastern airspaces are currently restricted or avoided, including Iran, Iraq, UAE, Qatar, Kuwait, Bahrain, and Jordan.
- The safest flight routes are through East Asia or Europe, with airlines using hubs like Tokyo, Seoul, Singapore, London, and Frankfurt.
- Travel insurance and travel medical insurance can provide coverage, but limitations may apply depending on the policy selected.
Frequently Asked Questions About Travel To and From the US and India During Conflict
If I am stranded at an airport due to the US and Iran conflict, will I be covered?
Standard travel insurance will likely not provide coverage if you are stranded because of the US–Iran conflict or related airspace closures, especially after a travel warning has already been issued. Policies almost always include a “war or conflict” exclusion for losses directly or indirectly caused by war, military action, or similar events.
However, if you were traveling and purchased travel insurance *prior* to the conflicts starting or warnings were issued, your plans and expenses may be covered.
If I already had my flight booked and it flies over Dubai, what should I do?
Given the second bombing in Dubai, it appears that air travel over the city won’t be safe anytime in the near future. If you already have travel insurance with the Cancel For Any Reason (CFAR) benefit, you can cancel your trip, receive most of your money back, and book a new flight on a safer flight route. However, if you don’t have Cancel For Any Reason insurance booked beforehand, your best course of action is to contact your airline as soon as you can and cancel the flight. For nonrefundable tickets, they will likely issue a refund in the form of travel credits or a voucher for a future booking. Please don’t take the risk of flying anyway. Your safety comes first. Cancel your original flight and book an alternative, safer route.
If I am not comfortable traveling and want to cancel my trip, will I be covered?
If you are not comfortable traveling anymore and are cancelling your plans due to war but your destination is not one that is in officially announced threat, you may not receive coverage from travel insurance. However, if you have purchased a Cancel For Any Reason (CFAR) add-on prior to travel, it can cover cancellations.
Can I get a refund for my travel insurance if war breaks out at my destination?
Yes, you can cancel your travel insurance and get a refund. Many policies will have a 10-14 purchase day window where you can cancel your policy without any penalties or fees.
Is war or conflict ever covered by travel insurance?
Policies usually include a “war or hostilities” exclusion that removes coverage for losses arising from armed conflict, whether a war is formally declared or not. However, if you were traveling *before* any conflict happened, already had travel insurance, and your travel plans are affected by the conflicts (flight cancellations, grounding, rerouting, etc.), you may be eligible for coverage. Make sure to read your policy and contact your insurance provider to understand what your coverage options are, as coverage varies from policy to policy.
What should I do if my insurance policy excludes coverage during conflict?
Review your policy carefully, contact your insurer to ask about specific circumstances, save all receipts, and pursue airline refunds or credit card protections first. While insurers generally won’t pay for losses during war, expenses can be covered if you were traveling prior to the conflict.
Can travel insurance help if my flight to India is cancelled?
In general, standard travel insurance policies don’t cover travel disruptions or cancellations caused by war conflicts once the conflicts have started. However, if you had travel insurance and were actively traveling *before* the conflicts or warnings were issued, you can be eligible for coverage if your flight to India was cancelled.
Is terrorism covered by travel insurance?
Many travel insurance policies can provide coverage for terrorism under certain circumstances. Look through trip insurance plans or travel medical insurance plans to find a policy that gives you the coverage that you need.
