An American, stuck in Doha after a 'flight to nowhere,' was put up in 5-star hotel, all expenses paid

"I was very concerned, very terrified. I still don't believe it's real. Singh, who had a layover in Doha while traveling home from a wedding in India, expressed her anxiety about the situation. Though she's been put up in a luxury hotel, she said it doesn't feel like a vacation because she is constantly updating family and wondering when she'll make it home to Texas."

"Flight records show Singh's flight, expected to last nearly 17 hours, took off at 8:30 a.m. local time on February 28 and turned around almost an hour and a half later. The plane returned to Doha and then circled several times near the airport before landing, according to flight path data on FlightAware. Other people on flights to nowhere last week spent nearly 16 hours in the air before landing back where they started."

"She's one of many Americans who got stranded in the Middle East following the attacks on Iran and the retaliatory strikes that have hit several countries. Some Americans have said they've struggled to get help from the US, while others have been left with pricey and unforeseen expenses as they scramble to find a way home."

Ria Singh was asleep on a flight from Doha to Dallas when the pilot announced the plane was turning around due to air restrictions following US and Israel attacks on Iran. Singh, returning home to Texas after a wedding in India, has been stranded in Doha for over a week with no clear departure date. While Qatar has provided free accommodation in a luxury hotel and is covering expenses for stranded travelers, Singh remains anxious about reaching home. She is among many Americans stuck in the Middle East following the escalating military tensions. Flight records show her aircraft turned around approximately 90 minutes after takeoff, with other passengers experiencing similar "flights to nowhere" lasting up to 16 hours.

Read at Business Insider