Delta Airlines has announced the resumption of its daily nonstop service between New York-JFK and Tel Aviv (TLV), starting from June 7, 2024. This move, leveraging the capabilities of the modern Airbus A330-900neo, aims to offer travelers nearly 2,000 weekly seats on this vital route connecting New York to Israel. The decision marks a significant turnaround from October 2023, when the service was temporarily suspended amidst concerns for regional security.
The reinstatement of the route is the culmination of rigorous security assessments by Delta, reflecting the airline's commitment to ensuring the safety of its operations while closely working with both government and private-sector partners to monitor ongoing developments in Israel.
Delta's engagement with Israel has seen notable expansion in recent months, particularly through a codeshare partnership with EL AL Israel Airlines. This collaboration has ensured Delta customers continued access to direct services to Tel Aviv from key U.S. cities, including New York-JFK, Newark, Boston, Los Angeles, Miami, and Fort Lauderdale. With the reintroduction of Delta's nonstop service from New York-JFK, customers are poised to enjoy enhanced travel options between North America and Israel, further strengthening the ties between these regions.
Exciting news! Delta Air Lines is set to resume non-stop flights to Israel from June 7, following an extensive security assessment. Find out more about this update and the decision-making process at https://t.co/jM7UAnq5Qp. #DeltaAirlines #IsraelFlights
ā Airline Hub (@AirlineHub1) March 14, 2024
This announcement closely follows United Airlines' initiative, making it the first American airline to resume services to Tel Aviv since the Hamas attacks in southern Israel on October 7, 2023. While United has commenced with a single daytime flight from its Newark hub, it plans to double this offering in the future, though no additional routes from the U.S. to Tel Aviv are expected until at least the fall.
In contrast, American Airlines has paused its New York-JFK to Tel Aviv service until October 28, positioning it as the last of the U.S. legacy carriers to restart operations to Israel.
EL AL Israel Airlines has been distinguished for maintaining uninterrupted service to the U.S. throughout the conflict, earning both national and international acclaim. This dedication was further highlighted by EL AL's gesture of offering free flights to European destinations for Israeli soldiers.
Delta is the second major US carrier to reinstate flights to Israel. https://t.co/i6QO5cwivp pic.twitter.com/mrwYlmBYEF
ā ARISE NEWS (@ARISEtv) March 14, 2024
During a period when El Al stood as the sole airline maintaining continuous service between the U.S. and Israel, the significance of robust air connectivity has never been more palpable. The commendations received by El Al, both nationally and internationally, for its steadfast service during challenging times, alongside its generous offer of complimentary flights for Israeli soldiers, underscore the airline's pivotal role in sustaining vital links.
Amid these developments, U.S. lawmakers and Israeli officials had voiced strong encouragement for American carriers to expedite the resumption of flights to Israel, underscoring the importance of these air links in fostering connectivity and tourism. Notably, the United States remained the leading source of tourists to Israel last year. The revival of competition on the highly coveted New York-Tel Aviv route heralds a promising outlook for reduced airfare prices, much to the relief of travelers. This positive shift is expected to alleviate the financial strain experienced by many during the winter, when the cost of round-trip economy flights between Israel and the United States surged to unprecedented levels.
https://t.co/UklGLth3EX
ā StandWithUs (@StandWithUs) February 21, 2024
āļøš®š± The Israel Airports Authority has announced that United Airlines and Delta Airlines will resume some of their flights to #Israel after canceling all service in the wake of the October 7th #Hamas massacre and the ensuing war.
Furthermore, European carriers such as Lufthansa, Swiss International Air Lines (SWISS), and Austrian Airlines were among the first major international airlines to renew their flights to Ben-Gurion International Airport, signifying a gradual normalization of air travel to Israel. Airlines from the United Arab Emirates also continued their service throughout the conflict, demonstrating the resilience and importance of air travel connectivity even in challenging times.
