Major US Airlines Resume Flights to Israel Amid Increased Competition

Delta Air Lines is resuming direct flights to Tel Aviv starting Sunday, with United Airlines set to follow on Monday, marking a significant increase in air travel options between Israel and the United States. This return of major American carriers follows a period of reduced direct flight availability for passengers traveling to the US.

Delta's first flight from New York's JFK Airport to Ben Gurion Airport is scheduled to land Monday morning, with the return flight from Tel Aviv to New York planned for September 7. Delta intends to operate this route daily. United Airlines will also restart its operations in Israel, initially focusing on the New York route from Newark Liberty International Airport, with flights expected to resume on September 9, 2026. The airline plans to operate two daily flights initially, with frequency increasing to 18 weekly flights.

United plans a phased return of its four direct routes to the US. Following New York, the route to Chicago is slated to resume on October 26 with four weekly flights, and the Washington D.C. route will restart on October 28 with three weekly flights. The final route to San Francisco is scheduled to return on March 30, 2027, with three weekly flights.

In parallel, Israeli airlines are also expanding their offerings to New York. Israir is expected to launch its New York route this month, while El Al and Arkia are already operating and increasing their flights on the popular route. The return of Delta and United is anticipated to significantly boost the number of direct flights to the US, particularly to New York, leading to increased competition among airlines and more choices for travelers.