Delta JFK to Tel Aviv returns September 1

Published on Aug 29, 2025, 2:35 pm CDT

5 min read

Delta Air Lines will restart nonstop service between John F. Kennedy International Airport and Ben Gurion Airport on September 1, 2025, restoring a key U.S.-Israel link ahead of the fall travel season. The daily flight will use an Airbus A330-900neo with four cabins, including Delta One suites, Delta Premium Select, Delta Comfort, and Main. Delta says safety remains paramount as it monitors conditions and coordinates with authorities. United resumed Newark-Tel Aviv in late July, while several European carriers have already returned or set dates to do so.

Key Points

Why it matters: Restores nonstop capacity from New York, easing fares and connections.
Travel impact: Daily JFK-TLV on an A330-900neo with four distinct cabins.
What's next: KLM targets a September 28 return, and Lufthansa Group has phased service back.
Delta cites ongoing security assessments and coordination with authorities.
United reentered the market from Newark in July with twice-daily service.

Snapshot

Delta's restart on September 1, 2025 gives travelers another nonstop option between New York and Israel after months of on-again, off-again schedules tied to regional security events. The Airbus A330-900neo offers lie-flat Delta One suites with doors on most configurations, plus Delta Premium Select, Delta Comfort, and Main. United Airlines is already operating Newark Liberty International Airport to Ben Gurion Airport, and European capacity has improved as Air France, Austrian Airlines, Brussels Airlines, and others phase back service. Expect schedules to remain dynamic, with airlines stressing flexibility and safety protocols. Book early for fall holidays, and monitor advisories.

Background

Commercial links to Israel were repeatedly suspended after airport closures and airspace restrictions earlier this year. Our previous coverage details the mid-June shutdown and cascading schedule changes, which affected U.S. and European carriers alike. See Ben Gurion Shutdown, Israel-Iran Strikes Disrupt Air Travel. United's July return from Newark Liberty International Airport restored the first U.S.-carrier nonstop, followed now by Delta's JFK service. European networks have gradually restarted as risk assessments improved and regulators authorized operations. Airlines continue to emphasize contingency planning, crew security, and close coordination with national authorities.

Latest Developments

Delta JFK-TLV resumes with A330-900neo product

Delta confirmed it will resume daily service between John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) and Ben Gurion Airport (TLV) on September 1, 2025. The flight is scheduled with an Airbus A330-900neo, featuring Delta One suites, Delta Premium Select, Delta Comfort, and Main. Delta notes that it is continuously monitoring the security environment and aligning operations with guidance from authorities. The A330-900neo cabin layout provides lie-flat seats in Delta One and an upgraded premium-economy experience in Premium Select, which should appeal to business travelers returning to the route. Ticket sales are open on delta.com and partner channels.

Competitive landscape and partner options

United Airlines reinstated Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR) to Tel Aviv on July 21, later adding a second daily rotation. In Europe, Lufthansa Group has been ramping back with Lufthansa, Austrian Airlines, and Brussels Airlines, with SWISS scheduled later. Air France returned in early July from Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport (CDG), while KLM plans to resume service on September 28 with a technical stop in Larnaca and direct returns to Amsterdam Airport Schiphol (AMS). These additions expand one-stop alternatives for travelers outside the New York area and provide re-routing options during operational disruptions. See United Airlines Restarts Tel Aviv Flights July 21.

Analysis

Delta's timing positions the carrier to capture late-summer and early-fall demand, including the September high-holiday peak. Restoring a daily JFK-TLV adds meaningful capacity and increases schedule resilience if another operator adjusts frequencies. For corporate travel managers, the A330-900neo's Delta One suites with doors, plus Premium Select, help rebuild premium connectivity that influences policy compliance and traveler satisfaction. For leisure travelers, a nonstop reduces journey time by several hours compared with transiting Europe, which can still face occasional ripple delays.

Fares should moderate from midsummer highs as supply returns, though they may remain above 2019 levels given insurance and operational costs. Build flexibility into itineraries and consider cancel-for-any-reason coverage, since most airlines waive fees only when advisories or operational changes apply. If your plans involve tight connections, especially at Ben Gurion Airport, pad schedules for security screening and potential holds. Keep a close eye on airline travel alerts and embassy notices; volatility may persist, but the broader trend among full-service carriers suggests guarded confidence in the corridor's risk profile.

Final Thoughts

With Delta JFK to Tel Aviv back on September 1, travelers regain a second U.S.-carrier nonstop alongside United's Newark service. The A330-900neo's cabin mix strengthens premium and leisure options, while partners in Paris and Amsterdam add network flexibility. Expect airlines to keep a tight rein on security protocols and to adjust schedules as needed. If you value nonstop convenience, book early for fall and monitor alerts in the days before departure. The steady return of long-haul links underscores renewed confidence in the market and a clear path forward for Delta JFK to Tel Aviv.