United Airlines Tel Aviv flights will take off again on July 21, restoring a crucial U.S.-Israel air corridor after a six-week pause caused by regional hostilities. The carrier will operate a single Newark departure on the first day and scale to twice-daily service the following morning. Delta and American remain sidelined until at least late August, leaving United, El Al, and Arkia as the only options for American travelers seeking nonstop links. Here is what flyers need to know as service resumes.
Key Points
- United resumes Newark-Tel Aviv on July 21.
- Twice-daily frequencies return July 22 with Boeing 787-10s.
- Why it matters: cuts connection times for U.S.-Israel travel.
- Delta extends pause to August 31; American remains suspended.
- El Al and Arkia continue limited U.S. schedules.
United Airlines Tel Aviv Flights Snapshot - How It Works
United will deploy 318-seat Boeing 787-10 Dreamliners on the 5,670-mile route, offering Polaris business, Premium Plus, Economy Plus, and economy cabins. Eastbound flights depart Newark Liberty International Airport in late evening, arriving in Tel Aviv the next afternoon. Westbound returns leave Ben Gurion Airport at 12:55 a.m. and reach Newark before dawn, enabling same-day domestic connections. MileagePlus members earn full mileage credit, and Star Alliance travelers can connect onward via Lufthansa Group partners. United's Israel sales desk confirms that all July and August inventory is now open for booking on united.com, third-party agencies, and the airline's app.
United Airlines Tel Aviv Flights Background - Why It Matters
U.S.-Israel service unraveled in mid-May when a missile Strike landed near Ben Gurion Airport, prompting multiple carriers to suspend operations out of safety concerns. Most airlines planned short interruptions, yet a June 12 Israeli bombing campaign against Iran triggered further cancellations. United diverted Flight 84 back to Newark that day and halted departures through late July. American had already exited the market in October 2023, citing demand volatility, while Delta joined the suspension after the May incident. The net result left Israel with only its flag carrier El Al and leisure airline Arkia to maintain trans-Atlantic links, shrinking capacity by roughly 60 percent and pushing summer economy fares above $1,700 round-trip.
United Airlines Tel Aviv Flights Latest Developments
United's decision to re-enter the market signals that flight-risk assessments have improved and insurance underwriters again deem the corridor insurable. The carrier coordinated the restart with the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration and Israel's Civil Aviation Authority, both of which continue enhanced monitoring of the Tehran and Baghdad flight information regions.
United Sets July Return Schedule
The initial July 21 flight will depart Newark at 1100 p.m. Eastern, arriving in Tel Aviv at 420 p.m. local time on July 22. Beginning that evening, the airline will resume its traditional two-daily pattern: a late-evening eastbound and a midday departure that lands in Israel at dawn. The westbound pattern mirrors pre-pause timings, giving business travelers daytime arrivals in New York. United encourages passengers to arrive three hours before departure because Tel Aviv security interviews are conducted at Newark check-in.
Delta and American Maintain Suspensions
Delta has extended its New York-JFK - Tel Aviv pause through August 31, blaming "operational uncertainties." The airline has re-accommodated affected flyers on partner itineraries via Air France or KLM through Paris and Amsterdam. American reiterates that it has "no restart date" for its Philadelphia and Dallas services, citing fleet-planning priorities. The longer hiatus means United will enjoy a de facto monopoly on U.S. carrier nonstop service for at least six weeks.
What Travelers Should Expect at Ben Gurion Airport
Ben Gurion's Terminal 3 has restored full landside retail and dining, although some overnight concessions remain closed. Israel's Ministry of Health still recommends-but does not require-N95 masks inside the terminal during heightened security alerts. Passport control throughput has improved since May, with new e-Gates reducing average arrival wait times to 20 minutes. Taxi queues remain unpredictable; consider booking a fixed-price taxi or rideshare in advance. Travelers connecting onward to Eilat or Haifa should leave a four-hour buffer, as domestic schedules have experienced rolling delays following recent drone-alert drills.
Analysis
United's restart realigns trans-Atlantic capacity ahead of Israel's September high-holiday travel rush. By restoring 4,460 weekly seats, the airline should relieve upward fare pressure, though prices will likely remain 15 percent above 2023 averages until Delta returns. Leisure travelers gain a same-carrier option that bypasses European layovers, cutting journey times by four hours each way. Corporate accounts regain Polaris flat-bed continuity, valuable for overnight eastbound sectors.
For travel advisors, ticket protection remains critical. Recommend Cancel For Any Reason policies, as most airlines will still deny refunds for concerns not tied to a U.S. State Department Level 4 advisory. Remind clients that fuel surcharges can fluctuate weekly; locking fares early can prevent a last-minute $100-plus spike. Also note El Al's checked-bag allowance of two free 50-pound pieces outclasses United's single-bag policy, an advantage for family visits. Encourage clients to enroll in Israel's Speedy Security pilot, which pre-clears passengers through facial Biometrics, shaving 10 minutes off departure formalities. Finally, keep abreast of potential union actions at Ben Gurion, as ground-handling crews have threatened a 24-hour Strike if wage talks stall in late July.
Final Thoughts
United's swift relaunch underscores the carrier's confidence in Israel's risk-mitigation measures and its commitment to the lucrative U.S.-Israel corridor. Travelers who prioritize nonstop convenience now have a reliable option, but they should still build flexibility into itineraries, purchase comprehensive insurance, and monitor travel advisories in the weeks ahead. For practical guidance on entry rules and on-the-ground logistics, see our Israel travel safety guide. United Airlines Tel Aviv flights are back, offering welcome relief for both leisure and corporate passengers eager to return to Israel.