US Airlines Paused Operations After the Hamas Conflict Began in 2023

Two years after the ongoing Israel-Hamas war broke out, United has officially resumed flights to Tel Aviv (TLV) from Chicago and Washington. The carrier became the first to revive service to Israel on July 21 with the Newark to Israel route, followed by Delta’s JFK-TLV operation on September 1.

Beginning November 1, Chicago flights will run to Israel four times a week. Washington will follow a day later with three weekly departures.

“United’s announcement is great news for Israelis and those visiting from abroad,” said Transportation Minister Miri Regev. “The resumption of flights from Chicago and Washington shows that Israel remains connected to the world even in challenging times.”

Patrick Quayle, United’s senior vice president of Global Network Planning and Alliances, added that the change “underscores United’s longstanding commitment to Tel Aviv.”

Delta also restarted Tel Aviv operations, but otherwise, US service to Israel has been sparse. Israel’s skies were periodically closed during the height of the conflict, leaving thousands of travelers stranded. European carriers have too been slow to return, with British Airways, easyJet, and Ryanair still on hold.

United emphasized that its reopened service follows “detailed assessments of operational, safety, and security considerations.” This reflects the fact that the airline has cut and reinstated Israel flights several times since 2023, including during missile attacks on Ben Gurion Airport. United announced in February that it was resuming the same New York/Newark service to Tel Aviv. The whiplash has made El Al the most, and potentially only, reliable way to cross the Atlantic.

So, for now, United has opened the door for more direct flights to Israel. However, the still unsteady political climate in the region means that these tickets should be booked with caution.

FMI: www.united.com