Amid the well-reported scramble to charter private jets at sometimes double and triple normal pricing, the U.S.-Iran conflict is creating additional implications for private aviation users, including flyers who are thousands of miles away and have no plans to go near the hot zones.

But first, for those trying to get out of Israel, Dubai, Abu Dhabi, and Qatar who can't or don't want to wait, there are issues beyond just securing a charter jet.

As reported, with airports in Abu Dhabi, Doha, Dubai, and Tel Aviv closed to commercial flights, chartering a private jet has meant driving to Oman, Saudi Arabia, Egypt, and Jordan.

People cross a street as smoke rises from the site of a reported Iranian strike in Dubai on March 1, 2026. Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, Iran's supreme leader since 1989 and sworn enemy of the West, was killed in the opening salvo of a massive US and Israeli attack, sparking a new wave of retaliatory missile strikes from Tehran on March 1. (Photo by Fadel SENNA / AFP via Getty Images)

AFP via Getty Images

Beyond the high prices, experts are warning flyers to research the companies offering the charter flights before they wire funds.

"Opportunists use emergencies like this and the pressure to make a commitment," says one charter broker.

Established private aviation charter companies, particularly those with local offices, reduce the risk of getting ripped off.

It's also important to understand whether you are speaking to the aircraft's operator or a broker.

Brokers often show their value in situations like these, as they can reach out to their networks of charter operators to determine availability.

Operators generally commit their charter jets on a first-come basis and only after receiving payment.

Some companies have hybrid operations, such as Vista, which has a fleet of over 200 private jets and a large brokerage under the XO banner that sells charter flights on both the VistaJet fleet and third-party operators.

Aviation attorneys say research the company before wiring any funds.

Nice websites or social media may catch your attention, but make sure the company you are working with has a track record of good business in the charter segment.

Vedder’s David Hernandez, a former FAA and DOT attorney, says that if your flight is cancelled by the operator, the broker and operator must refund you.

By the same token, if for any reason you book a flight and are unable to make it, the flights will likely have a 100% cancellation penalty, and you are unlikely to get a refund or flight credit – you will be out the money.

With the exit routes currently requiring traveling to another country across land borders, experts say, before committing to a flight, make sure everyone in your traveling party has the necessary visas and is eligible to enter the country your charter flight will be departing from and landing in, or make sure that the private aviation company can arrange visas on arrival.

Keep in mind that when you sign the contract, you are also agreeing to pay post-flight charges, which may include additional fees if the routing is longer than estimated.

Beyond that, flyers in the U.S. who are part of fractional ownership or jet card programs, or who have booked future charter flights, should read the fine print.

Aero Law Center's Stewart Herman says fractional ownership companies are generally able to pass along increases in insurance premiums they may have to pay.

Increases in jet fuel costs could also come into play with a prolonged conflict.

Hernandez says some flight providers may invoke force majeure clauses; however, both litigators say that does not entitle them to add fuel surcharges beyond what's in the contract.

That said, many flyers assume that when they sign a charter contract, the price is locked in.

However, following Russia's invasion of Ukraine, many ad hoc charter contracts were revised to allow the operator to add a fuel surcharge based on how far in advance the flight was booked or on other specific language.

Check the fine print in any current contracts, the attorneys advise.

Air Charter Service, Air Partner, which is part of Delta Air Lines-backed Wheels Up, and Geneva-based LunaJets say they are all working on repatriation flights.

"We are currently coordinating an evacuation flight from Muscat, Oman to Istanbul, Turkey, enabling passengers to reach a major aviation hub and continue to their final destinations," says Gaspard Boscher of LunaJets, adding, "We are also receiving additional requests and are assessing the feasibility of organizing further evacuation rotations from Riyadh and Muscat, as these are currently among the main airspaces remaining open in the region."

Boscher added, "This is a complex and rapidly evolving situation, and all our teams across the EU and Dubai are working hard to find solutions. We will try to provide updates as the situation evolves."

Air Charter Service's James Leach said, "Our UAE and Saudi Arabia-based teams are safe and are working on ground and air solutions for evacuations. They have been extremely valuable in terms of local airport and operator knowledge," adding, "Existing flights to airports in closed airspace were cancelled or diverted. However, the air corridor through Saudi Arabia has meant that re-routing has not been too much of a problem for most flights passing over the region."

Leach says Air Charter Service has already performed "a number of evacuation flights" for travelers stranded in the UAE who were able to get to Muscat.

Leach says while repositioning flights and longer flight times due to circuitous routings are adding to costs, travelers can save money by flying to places like Istanbul, where they can transfer to scheduled flights.

He adds, "Our position is that whilst this situation may hopefully be resolved soon with a rapid de-escalation, the worst case is that it lasts for weeks or months. In such a scenario, there would be over a million tourists and foreign nationals there on business in the region wanting to leave, and each day that goes by will mean airport congestion will increase for those airports that are open. Whilst attacks continue, airports in affected countries will either remain closed, or will open only for short periods to allow some aircraft to leave."

Meanwhile, Wheels Up posted on its website, "In light of the current developments in the Middle East, Wheels Up is closely monitoring the situation and assessing how best to support customers and employees across the region," continuing, "Together with our Air Partner cargo team, we are actively reviewing airspace conditions, aircraft availability, and routing options to respond quickly to evolving travel and cargo needs." It noted, “All movements remain subject to airspace accessibility, local regulatory approvals, and operational considerations.”