Her plane turned around mid-flight. She's still stranded in Doha

• Travelers in the Middle East have been stranded due to airspace closures following U.S.-Israel attacks on Iran.
• The U.S. State Department issued a "worldwide caution" notice, advising Americans to expect travel disruptions.
• Airports in the region, including in Dubai and Doha, have suspended or limited operations, causing widespread flight cancellations.

About an hour into Sarah Gaither’s flight out of Doha, Qatar, the crew told passengers they would be turning back.

The 27 year old, who was returning home to Dallas after vacation on the morning of Feb. 28, saw the news about U.S.-Israel attacks on Iran on her phone. “And then they made the announcement [about the unsafe airspace],” she told USA TODAY. “A lot of people had no clue what was happening, so there was a lot of panic on the plane.”

The Qatar Airways plane circled in the air until midday in order to burn fuel before landing back at Hamad International Airport, according to Gaither. The professional dog walker and content creator said flyers “waited and we waited and we waited” until around 5 p.m., when the staff said passengers could get a hotel voucher from the transfer desk.

Some travelers waited as long as four hours, however, so Gaither decided to book her own accommodations. She has been stuck there since then – seeing and hearing missiles outside. Qatar’s foreign ministry spokesperson, Majed Mohammed Al-Ansari, told CNN on March 2 that “more than 100 missiles and scores of drones” had been launched at the country (almost all missiles were downed "with very minimal damage" from those that hit targets, he added).

Gaither isn’t the only one. Travelers across the region have been stranded in the wake of the Iran war, and she and others are waiting for updates on when they might be able to fly out. “We have no clue,” she said.

'It's just very unsettling'

The U.S. strikes over the weekend prompted retaliation from Iran at U.S. military bases and in other nearby nations. The State Department even issued a “worldwide caution” notice.

“Following the launch of U.S. combat operations in Iran, Americans worldwide and especially in the Middle East should follow the guidance in the latest security alerts issued by the nearest U.S. embassy or consulate,” the Feb. 28 alert said. “They may experience travel disruptions due to periodic airspace closures. The Department of State advises Americans worldwide to exercise increased caution.”

Lisa Simmons was visiting the Burj Khalifa that day when she saw what appeared to be drones or missiles in the distance. “And people around me were going, ‘What's that? What's that?’ You know, we’re all looking in amazement.”

She was one day into a trip to Dubai and Abu Dhabi for her birthday, but was unaware that the strikes had begun. Simmons' husband looked up the news on his phone, and they immediately went downstairs and got a cab back to their hotel, where they have been sheltering in place.

They had a full week of tours and activities booked, all of which have been canceled. Even inside their hotel, they have heard booming noises, including what sounded like a “humungous explosion” nearby around 2 a.m. on the morning of March 2, according to the 55-year-old Atlanta resident.

“You know, it’s just very unsettling,” she said. She booked the trip through Gate 1 Travel, but when she tried contacting the company, Simmons said she was shuffled from one representative to another without a clear answer on what to do next or whether any costs would be refunded.

There are multiple groups currently traveling with Gate 1 in Dubai, according to Marty Seslow, VP of Marketing.

“Gate 1 Travel staff worldwide are working closely with our local staff to ensure travelers remain safe until airports reopen and flights resume,” he said in an email. “Our air specialists are prepared to secure the earliest available flights as soon as operations restart.”

He said travelers are accompanied by a local, English-speaking tour manager who can offer assistance and will stay with them until their departure. The company also has a dedicated team supporting customers impacted by the conflict, Seslow noted.

 “Once travelers have returned, we will work with them and, where appropriate, their travel insurance providers to review any impacted services and evaluate options in accordance with our policies,” he said.

They were originally supposed to leave Dubai on March 7, but intend to try to leave early. Limited operations resumed at Dubai International Airport and Al Maktoum International Airport on March 2, according to Dubai Airports.

“I stood out on my balcony last night, and I heard explosions overhead that tells me I'm in a war zone,” Simmons said. “That tells me that there's potential for risk, and I don't want to take that risk if I don't have to.”

Qatar's airspace remains closed, and flights from Hamad Airport in Doha were suspended. Gaither said the airline offered to reimburse passengers for additional charges – such as her hotel – and issued a waiver for changes, but she is waiting to rebook until operations resume.

“Right now, anyone connecting through major hubs like Dubai, Doha, or Abu Dhabi should assume continued disruption," Suzanne Morrow, CEO of InsureMyTrip, told USA TODAY in an email. "Check your flight status directly with the airline before heading to the airport, look for flexible rebooking policies, and enroll in the State Department’s STEP program for real-time alerts."

While Gaither acknowledged the circumstances were scary, she said she feels comfortable flying out when she’s able to – and tried to keep perspective on the bigger picture.

“Of course, I would love to be home, but I also recognize that there's a lot of other people in this situation, and it's not just a me situation, and there's people actually dying from this,” she said. “So, I'll be OK.”

What to do if your flight is disrupted

For those traveling to or through the Middle East, their plans may continue to be disrupted. They should look out for updates from their airline about flexible rebooking policies and any changes to their itinerary.

For those already abroad, they should register with the nearest U.S. Embassy to receive updates from the State Department on any security threats or other issues on the ground that could affect their travel.

Geopolitical conflicts aren't considered to be under an airline's control, so carriers may not be required to rebook you. Still, if the flight is canceled, you're entitled to a refund even if you purchased a nonrefundable ticket, and most airlines will work to reaccommodate passengers whose itineraries are disrupted.

Travel insurance may also help cover some of your costs if your trip is affected after you've already departed.

"Travel insurance exclusions for acts of war, military action, and airspace closures typically apply to trip cancellation and interruption coverage, not to these operational or domino effect delays," Lauren McCormick, manager of public relations and social strategy at travel insurance company Squaremouth, told USA TODAY in an email.

How to get on repatriation flights

The U.S. government hasn't announced plans to operate rescue flights for travelers currently stuck in the Middle East, but in general, travelers should stay in touch with the local embassy for information if they're stranded by an ongoing conflict.

“If governments open repatriation routes, travelers should register immediately with their nearest embassy or consulate and monitor official channels closely," Morrow said. "Travel Insurance doesn't arrange government evacuations, but there are 24/7 emergency assistance services that may be able to help travelers understand their options and offer other helpful assistance during this situation.”

(This story has been updated to add new information.)

Nathan Diller is a consumer travel reporter for USA TODAY based in Nashville. You can reach him at [email protected].

Zach Wichter is a travel reporter and writes the Cruising Altitude column for USA TODAY. He is based in New York and you can reach him at [email protected].