Chicago Woman Stranded in Dubai as Flights Canceled Amid Escalating US-Iran Conflict
Last Friday, Shekinah Lee and eight friends celebrated her boyfriend’s 27th birthday in Dubai, a destination he had long wished to visit. Just two days later, their dream vacation turned into a nightmare as they witnessed a missile streak across the sky, leaving them uncertain about their return home.
What started as a five-day getaway for the group of Chicagoans has now become an indefinite stay, following air strikes from Iran that resulted in canceled flights from the United Arab Emirates (UAE) over the weekend. Lee, 26, reported that Emirates airline canceled their return flight to O’Hare Airport on Sunday after airspace was shut down due to Iran’s retaliatory strikes across the Middle East, including Dubai.
Since Sunday afternoon, the group has been hearing explosions and the sound of jets overhead. While sightseeing later that day, they saw a missile pass above them.
“It’s completely terrifying,” Lee stated. “Most of the time, you’re just hearing what’s happening. You’re looking up at the sky, and it looks perfectly fine. So you don’t know if something is coming towards you. You don’t know where something has hit.”
Escalating Tensions
Tensions between the U.S. and Iran have intensified, particularly under the Trump administration. In June, the U.S. targeted nuclear facilities in Iran, and President Trump has been vocal about overseeing Iran’s nuclear programs. Earlier this year, he threatened military action in response to the Iranian government’s crackdown on protests, which Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei warned could lead to a regional war.
On Saturday, U.S. and Israeli forces bombed multiple cities in Iran, resulting in the death of Khamenei and over 100 others, including casualties from a girls’ school. In retaliation, Iran launched strikes that impacted various locations in the UAE.
The UAE government reported that air defense systems intercepted two cruise missiles, 165 ballistic missiles, and over 540 drones during Iran’s retaliatory attacks. Debris from these interceptions caused fires and structural damage in Dubai, affecting the Dubai International Airport and igniting fires near prominent hotels and skyscrapers.
Flight Cancellations and Emergency Alerts
Emirates has not rebooked the group’s flight, and Lee noted that the airline is overwhelmed with calls from stranded passengers. While some international airlines cautiously resumed limited flights from the UAE on Monday, more than 90% of scheduled flights into and out of Dubai International remained canceled, according to FlightAware.
Since Saturday, over 32,000 flights were scheduled to arrive or depart from the Middle East, with approximately 40% of those canceled, as reported by Cirium, an aviation data firm. Emirates announced that customers with earlier bookings would receive priority for the limited flights they planned to operate starting Monday evening.
Lee also contacted the U.S. embassy, which directed her to a notice advising those in the area to shelter in place. Following the cancellation of their flight, Lee and her friends were strategizing their next steps in their hotel lobby when they received an emergency alert instructing them to stay indoors and away from windows.
“At that point, I realized it was serious,” Lee remarked. “And better safe than sorry.”
Hotel staff advised her to seek shelter in a parking garage, where she, her boyfriend, and many other guests spent the night sleeping on chairs underground.
Extended Stay and Financial Concerns
The group has extended their hotel reservations for another week, as it remains unclear when they will be able to return home. Lee mentioned that they are trying to maintain a routine to stay calm during this uncertain period. However, she expressed concerns about the financial implications of an extended stay.
Dubai has been viewed as a peaceful luxury destination for U.S. travelers in recent years. Lee highlighted her visits to attractions like Dubai’s Miracle Garden, Global Village, and the red sand deserts, which draw tourists from around the world. The Dubai International Airport recorded a 5% increase in traffic last year, serving a record-high 95.2 million passengers.
As a model and content creator from the South Side of Chicago, Lee has been documenting her experiences on TikTok, with one of her videos garnering 2.8 million views. However, she has faced criticism online, with some commenters expressing a lack of sympathy for her situation and questioning the group’s decision to travel to the region.
“We are all very smart, and we all keep up on current events and still couldn’t have anticipated that a war was coming when we would be in between those countries,” Lee stated.
Current Conditions in Dubai
Since Sunday, conditions in Dubai have calmed, with locals resuming their daily activities. Lee reported seeing people going to work and riding bikes, with locals assuring her that, despite the unusual situation, there is no immediate threat to her safety.
Nonetheless, Lee and her friends remain eager to return to Chicago. “Some people consider Chicago a war zone, but it’s nothing compared to missiles and bombs flying out of the sky,” she said.
As reported by www.chicagotribune.com.
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Published on 2026-03-02 12:00:00 • By Editorial Desk
