Story perspectives

First Emirates Flight to U.S. Amid Ongoing Middle East Turmoil

3/7/2026

Summary

Story summary

Gitu Ramani-Ruff boarded a flight from Dubai to New York on Thursday after being stranded in the UAE.
She texted her sister about their will and pets, fearing for their safety before takeoff.
This flight was the first regularly scheduled Emirates arrival in the U.S. since U.S. and Israeli attacks on Iran began.
Last weekend, an explosion at Dubai International Airport injured four, while a drone attack in Abu Dhabi killed one and injured seven.
Approximately 30,000 flights have been canceled across the Middle East since the conflict started.

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Story summary

Gitu Ramani-Ruff boarded a flight from Dubai to New York on Thursday after being stranded in the UAE.
She texted her sister about their will and pets, fearing for their safety before takeoff.
This flight was the first regularly scheduled Emirates arrival in the U.S. since U.S. and Israeli attacks on Iran began.
Last weekend, an explosion at Dubai International Airport injured four, while a drone attack in Abu Dhabi killed one and injured seven.
Approximately 30,000 flights have been canceled across the Middle East since the conflict started.