Full Breakdown
United Airlines Restarts Direct Flights to Israel Amid Renewed Service Expansions
9/10/2026, 4:52:32 AM
United Airlines Resumes Newark–Tel Aviv Route
United Airlines operated its first passenger flight from Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR) to Ben-Gurion Airport (TLV) in Israel on a Wednesday, landing a Boeing 787-10 Dreamliner. The aircraft departed the same day for the return leg to Newark. United now runs two daily round-trip flights on this route and plans to add a third round-trip service in November.
Background: Suspension Linked to Regional Conflict
United had halted the Newark-Tel Aviv service before February’s Operation Roaring Lion, when Iranian ballistic-missile and drone attacks prompted several carriers to suspend Middle-East operations. The airline’s pause lasted until the recent restart, marking the first direct United flight to Israel since that period.
Expanded U.S. Service Plans
United announced that, beginning in October, it will reinstate direct flights from Chicago O’Hare International Airport (ORD) and Washington Dulles International Airport (IAD) to Tel Aviv. A further expansion is scheduled for March 2027, when United will launch San Francisco International Airport (SFO) service to Israel. United’s promotional material states that the San Francisco-Tel Aviv flights will offer the highest frequency of business-class seats between the two cities of any airline.
Competitive Landscape
Delta Air Lines also returned to Israel, landing at Ben-Gurion Airport over 40 minutes ahead of schedule after departing New York’s JFK Airport on an Airbus A330-900neo. Delta’s re-entry adds competition on the U.S.–Israel corridor, complementing United’s renewed presence.
Implications for Travelers
The restored United flights, together with Delta’s comeback, increase options for business and leisure travelers between the United States and Israel. United’s emphasis on expanded business-class capacity may attract premium passengers, while the added Chicago and Washington routes broaden geographic coverage. An illustration shows a United aircraft at Ben-Gurion Airport on August 14, 2025, underscoring the airline’s visual presence in the market.
