Unlike Delta Air Lines and United Airlines, American Airlines hasn’t operated a flight to Israel in over two years. That will be changing… though we’ll have to wait for around five months.
In this post:
American resuming New York to Tel Aviv route
As of March 28, 2026, American plans to resume daily nonstop flights between New York (JFK) and Tel Aviv (TLV). Specifically, the flight will operate with the following schedule:
New York to Tel Aviv departing 11:25PM arriving 5:00PM (+1 day)
Tel Aviv to New York departing 12:35AM arriving 5:25AM
The 5,677-mile flight is blocked at 10hr35min eastbound and 11hr50min westbound. American plans to use a Boeing 777-200ER for the route, featuring 273 seats. This includes 37 business class seats, 24 premium economy seats, and 212 economy seats. Tickets are expected to go on sale over the weekend, so by October 27, 2025.
Interestingly, there was a hint last week that this route announcement was imminent. It’s normal for airlines to hire flight attendants who speak the languages for the destinations they serve, given that there need to be a minimum number of “language speakers” on each flight. JonNYC recently flagged how American was hiring Hebrew speaking flight attendants, which seemed like a big hint.
It’s not surprising to see American now returning to Israel, given that there’s a ceasefire (let’s see how things evolve, though, from a security standpoint).
American has taken a different strategy than Delta and United during the war, as Delta and United kept operating flights when it was possible, and then suspending flights when it wasn’t possible. It’s hard to say which strategy was better. On the one hand, Israel can be a lucrative market for airlines. On the other hand, when you can’t operate service reliably, the economics are challenging, since network planning is a long term project.
American’s interesting history flying to Israel
Prior to the pandemic, American didn’t fly to Tel Aviv at all. Now, predecessor US Airways did fly there until 2013, but those flights were discontinued when the merger happened.
However, in May 2021, the airline launched a New York to Tel Aviv route, and then in June 2021, American launched a Miami to Tel Aviv route. Then in June 2022, American was supposed to launch a Dallas to Tel Aviv route, but that never ended up materializing, due to delays with new aircraft deliveries (or so American claimed).
It’s weird, because for some time, it looked like American was going to become a real competitor in Israel. But then we saw American cut its Miami to Tel Aviv route in March 2023 (before the war started), and also continue to push back its Dallas to Tel Aviv route, before just suspending it indefinitely.
It’s not surprising to see American first return to Tel Aviv out of New York, as it seems like there can never be enough capacity between those two markets. Then again, I was shocked when American couldn’t make Miami to Tel Aviv work, since you’d think that would be a strong market.
In terms of the competitive landscape:
- United has historically been by far the strongest US carrier in Israel, and has operated by far the most service
- Delta has operated a limited amount of service to Israel for a long time, but also has a relatively new partnership with EL AL, which has a lot of potential (I have to imagine there will eventually be an investment from Delta)
- American doesn’t have either of those advantages, but it is part of the oneworld transatlantic joint venture, and no other airline in that joint venture flies between the United States and Israel
Bottom line
As of March 2026, American Airlines plans to resume its New York to Tel Aviv route. American hasn’t served Israel since October 2023, and it’s not surprising to see New York be the first market out of which this service is offered. However, it’s just strange to me that the airline couldn’t make the Miami to Tel Aviv market work.
It’s fun how we recently had a hint that this route would be resumed, given that American is already hiring Hebrew speaking flight attendants.
What do you make of American resuming New York to Tel Aviv flights?
For y'all haters attention, Jewish folks are not the only ones flying to Israel. That transjordanian Levant region is super reach in history of all major religions and cultures. From Crusaders's castles in Syria and Lebanon to Jesus related sights in Israel, as well as Phoenician and Ptolomeic Levant history, it's all there. And if you have even a bit of education and intelligence, stay away from those Southern country bumpkins
EL AL is filling over 95% of it flights to Tel Aviv out of JFK EWR and LAX. EL AL has been charging an enormous premium as the only nonstop to Israel from these cities and passengers are still paying it. It's a very lucrative route.
Another Epstein and Cuomo Genocide Express. Absolutely disgusting.
Epstein? As in the pedophile Epstein? Epstein never married a girl at six years old and took her virginity at nine, unlike a certain prophet who shall not be mentioned. And just because Cuomo said something nasty is no reason to conflate him with anyone.
Historically, depending on how you define that word, TWA (now AA) had the most US carrier service to TLV. Until their demise, they flew via CDG as TW800 on a 747 - then it went to nonstop. Pan Am also flew via CDG but the CDG - TLV was an A310. That's historical (to me). United is now the the largest US carrier with service to TLV and has been since October 7th and now...
Historically, depending on how you define that word, TWA (now AA) had the most US carrier service to TLV. Until their demise, they flew via CDG as TW800 on a 747 - then it went to nonstop. Pan Am also flew via CDG but the CDG - TLV was an A310. That's historical (to me). United is now the the largest US carrier with service to TLV and has been since October 7th and now upguaging service. United mostly bought out route authorities tobecome today's Pan Am, Delta got a bit too. AA had bad timing and bought TW and shut it's int'l routes down a few months later due to 9/ll.
lovely... and UA makes $1 billion less than DL flying 10% more ASMs worldwide.
Sounds like flying the most flights to the most places really isn't a winning strategy, does it? Unless your goal is to spew the most pollutants into the atmosphere
will you please stfu?
nobody cares.
One thing missed in this piece is that prior to its acquisition by American Airlines, TWA had a thriving JFKTLV daily roundtrip service. When American acquired the remains of TWA (that weren't destroyed by Carl Icahn), that route was terminated by American.
One of the perceptions (never officially confirmed) with regards to American Airlines not serving Israel was that as a Texas-based airline, there was concern about backlash from some of AA's oil company customers...
One thing missed in this piece is that prior to its acquisition by American Airlines, TWA had a thriving JFKTLV daily roundtrip service. When American acquired the remains of TWA (that weren't destroyed by Carl Icahn), that route was terminated by American.
One of the perceptions (never officially confirmed) with regards to American Airlines not serving Israel was that as a Texas-based airline, there was concern about backlash from some of AA's oil company customers over any connection with Israel, although this was never publicly confirmed back in the day.
What some of us on the left coast really miss is the resumption of the nonstop SFOTLV service provided by United. Those flights were very popular in the SF Bay area due to significant relations between Silicon Valley and Israeli high tech companies as well as a large number of Israeli expatriates in the SF Bay area (the alternatives of having to fly to either EWR or LAX to catch a flight to TLV are not very appealing.
Great history you provide, especially about the fact that AA is Texas-based and its oil company customers.
Harkening back to the good ole TWA era!
As with AA's previous marketing, I suspect this new route is to tap cities like El Paso, Lubbock, Amarillo, Santa Fe and other larger Southwestern metropolitan areas that have hoards of residents jetting off to TLV often via JFK. Makes complete sense to me.
@Todd S - Yes, Mr. Raja's Neighborhood. Good point.
The route is also very helpful to BA/Iberia because I could very easily see customers booking multi-city itineraries - direct one-way and then through UK/Spain the other way. Not uncommon.
The Miami to Tel Aviv market is really big, though it seems to be mostly popular with Israelis. After speaking to a few affluent Israelis, it seems that many of them prefer to fly with El Al because despite the subpar product, they continue to operate flights when the security situation deteriorates. Meanwhile, some of them prefer to fly with Delta for the better product in the market, while United also offers a solid product...
The Miami to Tel Aviv market is really big, though it seems to be mostly popular with Israelis. After speaking to a few affluent Israelis, it seems that many of them prefer to fly with El Al because despite the subpar product, they continue to operate flights when the security situation deteriorates. Meanwhile, some of them prefer to fly with Delta for the better product in the market, while United also offers a solid product but with many frequencies to multiple destinations from TLV.
AA needs to establish itself in the JFK-TLV market, and go after the frequent travelers on the route. Then, they can launch service from MIA, and they can have the upper hand with nonstop flights in both markets. They just need to offer a significantly better product than El Al to compete, otherwise any rational person would book with El Al if the price is the same. Otherwise, I know a ton of Israelis who fly into NYC and out of Miami on the same trip.
Very interesting details you share!
El Al is usually at a premium price point but is the only Israeli carrier operating to FL. In Europe, we have a good deal more choice.
It may be a good sign for relative peace in the region; though, as we've seen, it's fragile.
On the 'Big Three,' it is interesting how some focus on certain regions, while others do not. For instance, while Delta and United fly to Africa, American does not. Likewise, while American and United fly to India, Delta does not (@Tim Dunn, I know, they're planning to return, but not yet). Then there's odd-ball stuff, like...
It may be a good sign for relative peace in the region; though, as we've seen, it's fragile.
On the 'Big Three,' it is interesting how some focus on certain regions, while others do not. For instance, while Delta and United fly to Africa, American does not. Likewise, while American and United fly to India, Delta does not (@Tim Dunn, I know, they're planning to return, but not yet). Then there's odd-ball stuff, like United flying to Nuuk and Ulaanbaatar...good luck to them with that.
Not surprising to see this addition. It’s interesting though because who is American’s target customer?
Many will book El Al because of its excellent security and its demonstrated history of continued service.
Other loyal customers will choose their respective airline, United or Delta, as they provide a better product.
And then their is American.. I guess they will be forced to keep fares low or rely on connecting traffic to fill planes....
Not surprising to see this addition. It’s interesting though because who is American’s target customer?
Many will book El Al because of its excellent security and its demonstrated history of continued service.
Other loyal customers will choose their respective airline, United or Delta, as they provide a better product.
And then their is American.. I guess they will be forced to keep fares low or rely on connecting traffic to fill planes. Connections to Miami, LA and Chicago should provide especially helpful.
Of all the cities that AA could start a TLV service, I was expecting PHL or MIA, because there are relatively large Jewish American populations in those cities, and each is an AA hub. Adding more to NYC seems excessive with EL AL already at both JFK, EWR; United at EWR; and Delta at JFK. Eh.
I suspect some who booked a connection with IB or BA will now book the nonstop via AA.
Not just El Al! Arkia operates 6X per week (on a leased aircraft) and Israir is also starting flights on the route next March.
Many will avoid El Al because of its excellent security.
They must have done many things to really need those air defense pods and extra security everywhere.
@Eskimo, can you explain your comment about people avoiding El Al because of their “excellent security?” I’m not sure I understand and don’t want to misinterpret.
Is it subsidised by Israeli government?
Mind blowing how 5 airlines serves it?..
do they make money in it?
In the past, the Israeli Ministry of Tourism offered a €750,000/$841,000 grant to American Airlines for a DFW-TLV service (2019), but that was delayed a lot and then cancelled due to the pandemic.
It’s not subsidized. There’s tremendous demand to TLV. El Al is making money hand over fist, and US airlines have said that it’s among their most profitable routes.
One thing american does not codeshare with el al. This is a reason why they need to operate their own aircraft. But el al will scale back jfk to 3 rather than 4-5 weekday departures
Tel Aviv was the 9th highest intl demand route from JFK in June 2024 LTM despite the conflict with 542k roundtrip passengers (i.e., 750 PDEW). Note that around 25% of those passengers have to connect.
With the ceasefire and hopeful onset of peace, that number will further climb as it was in the top 5 pre-conflict.
So it’s a huge demand route in par with an FCO or MXP and not too far behind CDG....
Tel Aviv was the 9th highest intl demand route from JFK in June 2024 LTM despite the conflict with 542k roundtrip passengers (i.e., 750 PDEW). Note that around 25% of those passengers have to connect.
With the ceasefire and hopeful onset of peace, that number will further climb as it was in the top 5 pre-conflict.
So it’s a huge demand route in par with an FCO or MXP and not too far behind CDG. When AA flew it pre-conflict in 2023, its LFs in Q1 2023 were ~85% as per Crankyflier with a healthy chunk of that O&D traffic.
Source: https://simpleflying.com/new-york-jfk-top-15-international-routes/
The largest number of competitors I've seen on a route is seven. Any advance?