Israir Launches New York Flights Amid High Demand and Stable Prices

Israeli airline Israir has received final approval from the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to commence regular flights between Tel Aviv and New York. The inaugural flight is scheduled to depart from Israel on September 15, with the return flight from John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) set for September 17. Ticket sales will begin on the evening of September 7, with one-way fares starting at $800 and round-trip tickets from $1600. During the holiday period, one-way tickets are expected to range between $800 and $900.

The entry of a new carrier has not yet led to a decrease in ticket prices, as demand for flights between Israel and the U.S. remains high. Preliminary assessments suggest that the additional capacity is insufficient to significantly impact ticket costs. Israir had initially announced a New York flight for October 19, but the launch was moved up by nearly a month after securing the necessary approvals.

The preparation for these flights, which took three and a half months, involved significant operational and regulatory work. Israir invested $85 million in two wide-body Airbus A330 aircraft, including modifications and spare parts. The airline secured over 60 agreements and obtained approvals from the Israeli Civil Aviation Authority, the U.S. Department of Transportation, and the FAA. The phased introduction of the aircraft will be closely monitored to ensure safety and operational efficiency.

Israir plans to support the expansion with its SuperFly credit card and intends to operate two A330s independently. Two additional wide-body aircraft will be acquired through wet leases, including crews and maintenance. The airline aims to introduce a third wide-body aircraft into service by the second half of 2027.

Concurrently, Delta and United Airlines are resuming their flights between Israel and the U.S. next week, marking their return after the conflict with Iran. This brings the total number of airlines offering routes between Ben Gurion Airport and New York to five, including Israir, El Al, and Arkia.