American Resumes JFK-Tel Aviv Flights March 2026

Published on Oct 28, 2025, 12:41 pm CDT

4 min read

Key points

American Airlines will restart daily JFK-Tel Aviv flights in March 2026
First JFK departure is March 28, first Tel Aviv return is March 31 on Boeing 777-200ER aircraft
American suspended the route in October 2023 and will be the last of the Big Three U.S. carriers to return
United resumed Newark-Tel Aviv in March 2025 with later pauses and a July 21 restart
Delta resumed JFK-Tel Aviv in 2025 with brief suspensions amid security concerns

American Airlines will resume daily nonstop service between John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) and Tel Aviv, Israel, in March 2026, restoring a transatlantic route it paused in October 2023 during the Israel-Hamas war. The first eastbound flight is scheduled to depart JFK on March 28, 2026, with westbound service from Tel Aviv beginning March 31. Sales have opened and the carrier plans to operate the route with Boeing 777-200ER aircraft. For travelers, the move brings back a third U.S. network carrier on this corridor and additional options for spring and summer trips in 2026.

Route resumption: American Airlines JFK-Tel Aviv

American last flew New York-Tel Aviv in 2023. Like many foreign airlines, it suspended service after the October 7, 2023 attacks and the subsequent conflict, citing operational and safety considerations. The airline's decision to restart in March 2026 follows a wider, staged return of global carriers to Ben Gurion Airport, with capacity added cautiously and adjusted as conditions evolved. Published schedules show daily service and 777-200ER equipment, aligning with American's long-haul fleet plan on transatlantic markets.

Latest developments

United Airlines was first among the U.S. Big Three to return, announcing a Newark-Tel Aviv restart in March 2025, then pausing and ultimately resuming again on July 21, 2025, as conditions shifted. Delta Air Lines also brought back JFK-Tel Aviv service in 2025, including a May 20 restart, interspersed with temporary suspensions tied to security events. American's March 2026 timing makes it the last of the Big Three to restore service, adding competitive pressure and schedule choice for New York-area travelers.

Analysis

For flyers planning 2026 travel, American's return creates more inventory on a high-demand corridor, which can influence both award availability and paid fares. Early fare displays and booking paths on American's site show Tel Aviv itineraries in 2026 tied to New York origins, a signal that the carrier has loaded the market for sale. That said, this route has seen multiple stop-start cycles across airlines since late 2023, so travelers should book with flexibility in mind, monitor advisories, and keep contact preferences current for rebooking notifications.

From a network perspective, a JFK anchor complements American's Northeast long-haul strategy, providing oneworld connectivity via New York and restoring a link many corporate and visiting-friends-and-relatives travelers used before the war. The 777-200ER offers lie-flat business class and premium economy cabins, products that matter on an 11- to 12-hour overnight eastbound flight and pre-dawn westbound arrivals. If demand and security trends hold, competitive dynamics among American, Delta, and United could expand shoulder-season service or adjust frequencies.

Background

After October 2023, U.S. and European carriers reevaluated Tel Aviv operations alongside insurers, crew unions, and regulators. Airlines staged resumptions when risk assessments allowed, then trimmed or paused during flare-ups, including missile activity near the airport. As of mid-2025, carriers were still calibrating schedules month to month. American's decision to start in late March 2026 aligns with the Northern Summer 2026 timetable change, a common point for long-haul network adds.

For travelers using credits from earlier disruptions, check the fine print on reissue deadlines and permitted travel windows. If you plan to connect beyond New York or Tel Aviv, build longer layovers than usual until operational reliability settles. Elite members should compare upgrade instruments and partner redemptions across alliances to find value as spring 2026 inventory opens.

Final thoughts

American Airlines' plan to restart JFK-Tel Aviv in March 2026 restores another nonstop option on a route that has seen two years of uncertainty. With tickets now on sale and schedules published, travelers can begin locking plans, while staying alert to advisories as the market normalizes.