Travel Advisors Helped Americans Escape Middle East Conflict

Advisors used on-the-ground connections to coordinate evacuations as U.S. attacks on Iran unfolded.

Mar. 17, 2026 at 4:00am by Ben Kaplan

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As the joint U.S.-Israel attack on Iran unfolded earlier this month, travel advisors played a critical role in getting Americans to safety amid the chaos. With embassies unable to assist and airspace closed, advisors leveraged their industry contacts and expertise to coordinate evacuations for clients stuck in the Middle East.

Why it matters

The story highlights the value of travel advisors and their on-the-ground connections, especially in times of crisis when government assistance may be limited. It demonstrates how advisors can make a difference in safely repatriating travelers when geopolitical events disrupt travel.

The details

Travel advisors from agencies like Savanti Travel, Envoyage, and ALTOUR used their industry networks and real-time information to help clients escape the Middle East as the U.S. attacks on Iran began. This included coordinating flights, rerouting travelers through alternative airports, and even arranging private charter flights to get people home safely.

  • On February 28, a Savanti Travel client's flight from Dubai to San Francisco had to turn around and return to Dubai due to missile fire.
  • On March 4, the Savanti Travel client was able to depart Dubai on the first commercial nonstop flight to San Francisco when the airport reopened.
  • Over the weekend, Savanti Travel helped repatriate more than 300 Latin Americans who were stranded in Dubai.

The players

Leigh Rowan

Founder of Savanti Travel, a San Francisco-based agency that handles ultra high net worth travelers, including many corporate clients who conduct business in Dubai.

Lyndsay Roach

A Pennsylvania-based advisor from Envoyage who helped a couple stranded in Kuwait get home to the United States.

John Rose

The chief risk advisor for ALTOUR, a business travel company that quickly mobilized a rapid-response team to help clients impacted by the Middle East conflict.

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What they’re saying

“It is the epitome of absurdity. 'Leave the country,' but yet the airspace is closed.”

— Randy Manner, Retired U.S. major general and former deputy commanding general of the Third U.S. Army in Kuwait (The New York Times)

“We in the travel industry have had a very harrowing week, to say the least.”

— Leigh Rowan, Founder of Savanti Travel (TravelPulse)

“Words cannot express how thankful we are. We saw smoke after fallen rockets...Thank god we're alive and in one piece.”

— Pennsylvania couple (Envoyage)

What’s next

As the situation in the Middle East continues to evolve, travel advisors will likely remain on high alert and ready to assist any Americans still in the region.

The takeaway

This crisis highlights the vital role travel advisors can play in helping clients navigate complex and rapidly changing geopolitical events. Their industry connections, real-time information, and expertise proved essential in safely evacuating Americans from the Middle East when government assistance was limited.