Which Gulf Region Airlines Are Flying?
The ongoing political tensions in the Middle East have significantly impacted air travel to and from the region. Below is an overview of the current status of flights operated by major Gulf airlines.
Emirates:
Emirates has resumed some flights, with several U.S. routes currently active. These include:
- Dubai (DXB) to/from Chicago (ORD), Dallas (DFW), New York (JFK), and San Francisco (SFO)
- Between Newark (EWR) and Athens (ATH)
Etihad Airways:
Etihad Airways has also resumed some flights between March 6 and 19. Its active U.S. routes are:
- Abu Dhabi (AUH) to/from Atlanta (ATL), Boston (BOS), Chicago, JFK, and Washington, DC (IAD)
Gulf Air:
All flights operated by Gulf Air are currently suspended.
Oman Air:
Most flights are operating, and the airline has implemented a flexible rebooking policy.
Qatar Airways:
Flights are suspended except for repatriation flights from five European cities.
Royal Jordanian:
All U.S. routes are currently in operation.
Saudia:
Most flights have been resumed, with the Riyadh (RUH) to/from JFK route being one of the active U.S. routes.
It’s important to note that this information was accurate at the time of publishing on Saturday, March 7. Passengers are advised to check their airline’s website before heading to the airport, as changes may occur.
Make Sure You Don’t Forget Your Earphones When Flying United
United Airlines has updated its terms of carriage under Rule 12, “Refusal of Transportation.” As of now, passengers who refuse to use earphones when listening to audio from a personal device may be legally removed from the aircraft. This rule applies to all United ticket holders.
Enforcing this policy during flight could result in a flying ban rather than a diversion. While it’s a strict measure, it could help reduce noise disturbances, especially in regions like South America, where many travelers tend to avoid using earphones in public.
Southwest Set To Rethink New Boarding Process
Southwest Airlines, known as the OG low-cost carrier, made a significant change this year by scrapping its unique open seating policy. Since its introduction in late January, the new system has faced backlash due to space issues in overhead bins. The airline has acknowledged these challenges and is working on a solution to improve the passenger experience.
Spirit Slashes International Route Network
Spirit Airlines has announced major changes to its international route network, effective April 2026. A total of 11 routes primarily serving vacation destinations in the Caribbean and Latin America will be canceled completely.
Additionally, the airline will reduce the number of weekly flights on dozens of routes. Fort Lauderdale (FLL) will be the most affected airport, with routes to 19 destinations facing schedule cuts.
La Compagnie Adds More U.S. Routes
La Compagnie, a French all-business class airline, is increasing its U.S. frequencies this summer. The airline will introduce the Boeing 757 into its fleet to add more flights from Paris (CDG) and Milan (MXP) to Newark (EWR).
Additional frequencies are scheduled for June and September, offering more seats for fans traveling to the 2026 FIFA World Cup. The ex-Icelandair 757 does not feature lie-flat seats, unlike the rest of La Compagnie’s fleet.
Iberia Quietly Increases Award Rates From Chicago
Iberia Club redemption rates from Chicago have quietly increased by around 25% across all cabins. Economy bookings now require 20,000 Avios instead of 16,000, while the lowest business-class rate has risen to 50,500 Avios from 40,500.
American Airlines Expands Digital Wallet Offering
Samsung cellphone users can now add their American Airlines boarding pass to their digital wallet. This update is part of a broader tech improvement initiative that American Airlines began implementing in 2025.
Final Thoughts
With safety remaining a top priority for airlines, it may take some time before flight schedules in the Middle East return to normal. Additionally, it could be even longer before Spirit Airlines resumes its pre-financial-struggles operations.
On a positive note, United Airlines’ crackdown on non-earphone users is a commendable policy change. The employee who came up with this idea deserves recognition and a raise!
We’ll see you again next week.
