US Airlines Plan to Resume Flights to Tel Aviv, Israel
Major US-based airlines are gradually planning their return to Tel Aviv, Israel, following months of suspension due to the ongoing conflict in the region. Delta Air Lines has officially confirmed the resumption of its flights to Tel Aviv from April 1, 2025, with other airlines like United Airlines and American Airlines also considering a potential return.
Delta Air Lines’ Return to Tel Aviv
Delta Air Lines has announced that it will restart flights to Tel Aviv Ben Gurion International Airport (TLV) from New York John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) starting April 1, 2025. The airline had previously suspended operations due to the war that began on October 7, 2023.
According to aviation analytics firm Cirium’s Diio Mi, Delta plans to operate daily flights between New York-JFK and Tel Aviv. The current schedule is valid until June 2025, but further updates may be made in the coming weeks.
Before the conflict, Delta operated 15 weekly flights to Tel Aviv from three major US airports:
- New York-JFK
- Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL)
- Boston Logan International Airport (BOS)
To assist passengers affected by the suspension, Delta has extended its travel waiver. Customers booked on flights to/from Tel Aviv can rebook their tickets for flights until June 1, 2025. The waiver covers travel dates between October 7, 2023, and March 31, 2025, provided the ticket is reissued before March 31, 2025.
United Airlines and American Airlines’ Plans
While Delta Air Lines has confirmed its return, United Airlines and American Airlines are also evaluating their options.
United Airlines’ Possible Return
An Israeli business outlet, Globes, reported that United Airlines might resume flights to Israel as early as February 2025, potentially becoming the first US airline to restart operations. However, the airline’s Jetstream business portal still lists flights to Tel Aviv as “suspended until further notice.”
Before the conflict, United Airlines operated 22 weekly flights to Tel Aviv from:
- Chicago O’Hare International Airport (ORD)
- Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR)
- San Francisco International Airport (SFO)
- Washington Dulles International Airport (IAD)
Additionally, United ran three weekly flights between Washington-Dulles and Amman, Jordan.
American Airlines’ Status
American Airlines has not resumed flights to Tel Aviv since October 6, 2023. However, its travel exception policy has been updated, extending impacted travel dates from October 7, 2023, to April 29, 2025. This is a revision from the previous deadline of March 29, 2025.
EL AL’s Market Dominance
With US airlines suspending flights, EL AL, Israel’s national airline, has become the only carrier flying directly from Tel Aviv to the United States in Q1 2025. The airline serves key US destinations, including:
- Boston
- Fort Lauderdale (FLL)
- Los Angeles (LAX)
- Miami (MIA)
- Newark (EWR)
- New York-JFK
During the war, EL AL increased its market share from 20% to 40%, with its peak market share reaching 81% in Tel Aviv. This dominance led to allegations of price hikes on tickets, forcing the airline to cap prices on key routes, including North America. Ticket prices on these routes now range between $799 and $1,900.
Due to growing concerns, institutional shareholders pressured EL AL to cancel executive compensation plans. The airline’s CEO, Dina Ben Tal-Gnancia, now has a salary cap of NIS 130,000 ($36,266) per month.
Non-US Airlines Returning to Tel Aviv
Several international airlines have also announced their plans to resume flights to Tel Aviv:
- Lufthansa Group – Returning February 1, 2025
- British Airways – Resuming service April 5, 2025
- Wizz Air – Already restarted flights on January 13, 2025
According to Cirium’s Diio Mi data, airlines have scheduled 1,191 weekly flights to Tel Aviv in April 2025, up from 855 flights in April 2024—a 39.3% increase.
The return of US airlines to Tel Aviv marks a significant step in restoring international travel to Israel. Delta Air Lines’ confirmed relaunch and United Airlines’ potential February return signal a gradual normalization of air travel. However, EL AL continues to dominate the market, and concerns about ticket prices remain. With major airlines planning their comeback, travel to and from Israel is expected to see a steady recovery in 2025.
