US Moves to End Daylight Saving Time, Impacting Flight Schedules with Israel

The United States is advancing legislation to abolish the biannual clock changes associated with daylight saving time (DST), potentially affecting millions who currently adjust their clocks twice a year. The House of Representatives passed the bill with a bipartisan majority of 308 to 117, allowing states to remain on daylight saving time year-round. The bill now awaits Senate approval, with President Trump expected to sign it if passed, following the White House's endorsement.

Currently, most US states shift clocks forward in March and back in November, except Arizona and Hawaii. Twenty states have already passed laws to adopt permanent daylight saving time pending federal approval. Proponents argue this change will reduce confusion, increase evening daylight hours in winter, and boost tourism and outdoor activities. However, critics favor permanent standard time, citing alignment with human biological rhythms and concerns about late winter sunrises.

The aviation sector, represented by Airlines for America (A4A), warns that such a shift will require complex adjustments. The global airline network depends on precise coordination across time zones, and sudden changes could disrupt flight schedules, connections, aircraft and crew positioning, and passenger experiences. For Israel, this means that time differences with the US will vary during parts of the year, potentially altering flight departure and arrival times and complicating onward connections through US airports. Airlines will need to update booking systems and schedules to accommodate these changes.

Despite the debate, public opinion in the US favors ending the clock changes; a December AP-NORC poll found only 12% support maintaining the current system, while nearly half oppose it. If enacted, the US would join a growing number of regions reconsidering the practice of switching clocks seasonally.