A commercial airline pilot has reported witnessing a missile launch in Iran while flying a passenger jet from Delhi to the United Kingdom at 32,000 feet. The incident occurred on 28th February 2026, approximately three hours into the seven-and-a-half-hour journey, near Iran's northern border with Turkmenistan.
The pilot, who requested anonymity, described seeing what he believed to be a missile launch roughly 50 kilometres from the frontier. He noted that such events are startling and unusual during routine flights, stating, 'All of a sudden, you see this rocket launch – it is astonishing.'
The flight path was altered multiple times due to heightened tensions in the Middle East. Initially scheduled to fly through Iraq, the route was changed after airspace closures forced a last-minute reroute through Pakistan and Afghanistan. The pilot explained that airspace restrictions have been tightened across several nations due to ongoing missile activity, prompting airlines to adjust routes for safety.
This sighting comes amid escalating regional conflicts, with recent Israeli airstrikes in Lebanon resulting in at least 31 casualties. The pilot's account underscores the challenges faced by commercial aviation in navigating volatile airspace.
