Plane in terrifying close call as flight radar shows mass diversions away from Middle East

Airlines are scrambling to re-route flights as the conflict in the Middle East explodes and missiles rain down.

Flight radars that track the path of the planes across the globe show the stark reality of the war, with hundreds of flights now detouring around the airspace over the warring nations of Israel, Lebanon, Iran, and their neighbours.

Worryingly, photos taken from the cockpit of a plane flying over the Middle East on Tuesday night local time captured Iranian-launched missiles soaring nearby, according to the NewYork Post.

Despite reports, British Airways has confirmed the photographs were not taken on one of its planes.

The missiles missed the Dubai-bound plane but came too close for comfort, pointing to Iran failing to ensure the skies were clear of civilian flights before they fired.

The airspace over the Middle East is usually filled with commercial airlines. But now dozens have suspended all flights.

The European Union Aviation Safety Agency issued a conflict zone information bulletin not to airlines not to operate within Lebanon and Israel at all flight levels. The recommendation is valid until October 31.

British Airways, Emirates, Qatar Airways, Lufthansa Group, Virgin Atlantic, Ryanair, Delta, KLM and Vueling are among the airlines pilling flights from the conflict zone.

A Qantas spokeswoman said the airline was not currently flying over the conflict areas, instead using alternate flight paths, and so had not been forced to make any major changes as tensions escalated.