A commercial pilot has revealed witnessing a missile launch in Iran while flying a passenger aircraft at an altitude of 32,000 feet. The pilot, who has chosen to remain anonymous, reported the incident occurred during a flight from Delhi to the United Kingdom on February 28, 2026. He spotted what he believed to be a missile launch approximately 50km from Iran’s northern border near Turkmenistan, three hours into the journey.

The pilot mentioned that the flight path had to be altered multiple times due to rising tensions in the Middle East. Initially scheduled to fly through Iraq, airspace closures forced a last-minute reroute. Many countries in the region have implemented stricter airspace restrictions in response to ongoing missile activities, prompting airlines to adjust routes for safety concerns.

Reflecting on the experience, the pilot described the sighting of the rocket launch as remarkable and unexpected during the otherwise routine flight. He highlighted the precautionary measures taken to avoid flying through risky areas like Pakistan and Afghanistan, with the final route through Pakistan and Afghanistan being deemed the safest option due to the closure of Iraqi airspace.