United Tel Aviv flights return from Chicago and Washington
United Airlines will resume nonstop service to Ben Gurion International Airport (TLV) from Chicago O'Hare International Airport (ORD) on November 1, and from Washington Dulles International Airport (IAD) on November 2. Chicago will operate four times weekly, and Washington will run three times weekly. United says it will be the only airline serving Tel Aviv from both Chicago and Washington. The carrier already flies twice daily between Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR) and Tel Aviv following a security review coordinated with authorities.
Key Points
- Why it matters: Restores long-haul connectivity from two major U.S. hubs to Israel.
- Travel impact: Four weekly ORD-TLV and three weekly IAD-TLV flights, plus twice-daily EWR-TLV.
- What's next: Bookings open as schedules load, with network banks timed for Midwest and Mid-Atlantic connections.
- Competitive context: Delta returns JFK-TLV on September 1.
- Safety posture: United cites ongoing operational, safety, and security assessments.
Snapshot
United's restart from Chicago and Washington reestablishes nonstop options to Israel beyond New York. Flights from Chicago begin on November 1 with four weekly rotations, while Washington service starts November 2 at three weekly. United emphasizes it will be the only airline operating Tel Aviv flights from both cities, complementing its twice-daily Newark schedule. The move follows a period of phased resumptions as carriers reassessed risk. Travelers connecting through O'Hare and Dulles should see shorter total journey times and improved reliability compared with one-stop itineraries via Europe. Fares will likely remain dynamic, but added lift typically eases peak-period price pressure over time.
Background
Nonstop U.S.-Israel service was disrupted in late 2023 amid regional conflict, prompting broad suspensions. United reentered the market this summer from Newark, scaling quickly to twice daily, while other U.S. carriers charted later returns. The Chicago and Washington relaunches expand beyond the New York catchment, restoring pre-pause patterns for business and visiting-friends-and-relatives traffic. For additional context on the Newark restart, see our earlier coverage, United Airlines Restarts Tel Aviv Flights July 21. Competitive rebuild continues as well, with Delta's New York service timeline detailed in Delta JFK to Tel Aviv returns September 1.
Latest Developments
Schedules and connectivity for United Tel Aviv flights
United will operate four weekly flights from Chicago, starting November 1, and three weekly from Washington, starting November 2. The carrier states it will be the only airline linking Tel Aviv with both Chicago and Washington, and it continues to operate two daily flights from Newark. United highlights that these decisions follow detailed operational, safety, and security assessments. The schedules are expected to bank with domestic waves at O'Hare and Dulles, enabling same-day connections from the Midwest, Great Lakes, and Mid-Atlantic. Travelers should verify terminal, departure times, and minimum connection windows as schedules finalize, and consider booking flexible fares during the first weeks of the relaunch.
Analysis
United's move restores geographic balance to U.S.-Israel nonstops, reducing over-reliance on New York and improving access for corporate accounts anchored in the Chicago and Washington corridors. Four weekly ORD-TLV flights should capture premium demand from Chicago's finance, consulting, and pharma sectors, while three weekly IAD-TLV taps federal agencies, defense contractors, and embassy travel. Network-wise, the added gateways diversify routings, create spill relief on Newark, and strengthen Star Alliance connectivity via Chicago. Yield performance will hinge on security stability and competitive capacity, including Delta's JFK-TLV return. If conditions remain steady, the combined effect of more seats and shorter journeys should modestly relieve fares outside peak holidays. For travelers, the practical upsides are fewer overnight layovers in Europe, more predictable arrival times into Tel Aviv, and improved upgrade and award options due to additional inventory. As ever, itineraries should retain buffer on return segments, given episodic airspace advisories in the region.
Final Thoughts
Bringing back Chicago and Washington restores a fuller U.S. gateway set for Israel and eases pressure on Newark. For travelers in the Midwest and the nation's capital region, fewer connections and wider schedule choice are the immediate benefits. Monitor schedule notices and allow extra time during the first weeks as operations settle. If regional conditions hold, these additions should make planning late-fall and winter trips simpler, with better odds of finding award seats or competitive fares. Overall, the relaunch is a meaningful step in the recovery of United Tel Aviv flights.