On 9/28/23, we reported that airlines were planning to fly a record 112 round-trip flights between North America and Israel. Things were finally looking up after years of COVID closures and Israel entering the US Visa waiver program.
Originally planned summer 2024 flights:
- Atlanta: 7 weekly flights on Delta (A350-900L)
- Boston: 3 weekly flights on Delta (A330-900neo) and 3 weekly flights on El Al (787-8)
- Chicago: 4 weekly flights on United (787-8)
- Fort Lauderdale: 2 weekly flights on El Al (787-8)
- JFK: 7 weekly flights on American (777-200), 7 weekly flights on Delta (A330-900neo), 22 weekly flights on El Al (787-8 and 787-9)
- Los Angeles: 6 weekly flights on El Al (787-9).
- Miami:Ā 5 weekly flights on El Al (787-9).
- Montreal:Ā 4 weekly flights on Air Canada (787-9).
- Newark: 14 weekly flights on United (787-10), 11 weekly flights on El Al (787-9)
- San Francisco: 7 weekly flights on United (777-200)
- Toronto: 7 weekly flights on Air Canada (787-9)
- Washington DC:Ā 3 weekly flights on United (787-8)
That would have made for a total of 112 weekly round-trip flights with 7 on American (6.3%), 11 on Air Canada (9.8%), 17 on Delta (15.2%), 28 on United (25%), and 49 on El Al (43.8%).
That was supposed to have been a new record, up fromĀ 67 flights scheduled in summer 2016,Ā 77 scheduled in summer 2017,Ā 75 scheduled in summer 2018, and 95 scheduled in summer 2019. 101 flights were scheduled in summer 2020Ā butĀ only 7 operated in summer 2020. The previous record was the 106 weekly flights in summer 2023.
Of course, we all know about the Hamas atrocities that happened in October 2023, which dramatically decreased flights between North America and Israel.
While El Al flew their full schedule last summer, Delta and United only flew their NYC routes. Delta only flew from JFK to Tel Aviv from 6/7/24-7/30/24. United flew from Newark to Tel Aviv from 3/2/24-4/13/24 and from 6/6/24-7/31/24. Flights have been suspended since then. Air Canada only flew to Israel on 4/9/24 and 4/11/24 before suspending service until 6/8/25. American hasn’t flown to Israel since 10/6/23. That left El Al with a de facto monopoly on nonstop flights between North America and Israel until Arkia began flights earlier this month.
The situation in Israel remains volatile, but here is what airlines are planning for summer 2025:
- Boston: 5 weekly flights on El Al (787-8)
- 5 weekly flights begin in May and is an increase from 3 weekly flights in March and 4 weekly flights in April.
- Fort Lauderdale: 2 weekly flights on El Al (787-8)
- JFK: 3 weekly flights on Arkia (A330-900neo), 7 weekly flights on Delta (A330-900neo), 22 weekly flights on El Al (787-8 and 787-9)
- Delta service resumes 4/1/25.
- Arkia has extended its service schedule through at least 10/23/25.
- Los Angeles: 8 weekly flights on El Al (787-9).
- 8 weekly flights begin in April and is an increase from 6 weekly flights in March.
- Miami:Ā 4 weekly flights on El Al (787-9).
- Montreal: 1 weekly flights on Air Canada (787-8).
- Service resumes 8/6/25.
- Newark: 14 weekly flights on United (787-10), 11 weekly flights on El Al (787-9)
- United 84/85 service resumes 3/15/25.Ā United 90/91 service resumes 3/29/25 and will be the only evening service between North America and Israel besides from El Al.
- Toronto: 4 weekly flights on Air Canada (787-8)
- Service resumes 6/8/25.
That would make for a total of 81 weekly round-trip flights, with 3 on Arkia (3.7%), 5 on Air Canada (4.5%), 7 on Delta (8.6%), 14 on United (17.3%), and 52 on El Al (64.2%).
Notably, American remains AWOL. The airline tells DansDeals, “American continuously evaluates its network and we have nothing new to share at this time regarding Tel Aviv service.”
Those flights are a good start, though it’s still down from 2019’s 95 flights and 2023’s 106 flights. With constrained capacity, expect prices to remain elevated, though Arkia will help provide some low-cost pressure. Best of all, Arkia is now offering free carry-ons and 50 pound checked bags between JFK and Tel Aviv.
Will you fly to Israel this summer?
Leave a Reply
17 Comments On "Airlines Planned 112 Weekly North America-Israel Flights For Summer 2024 Before Slashing It, Here Is What The Summer 2025 Schedule Looks Like"
All opinions expressed below are user generated and the opinions arenāt provided, reviewed or endorsed by any advertiser or DansDeals.
How does Chicago not have a round trip flight yet. Itās crazy
Elal shifted 2nd priorities (behind their flagship JFK/EWR routes) to south Florida (due to large increase in Israeli & Jewish population) and Boston (due to partnership with delta). Chicago no longer makes sense for them as a market.
United will relaunch with just EWR and may build the route network back (which has been down since covid) after that. So ORD, SFO, and then perhaps BWI or IAH.
I get ELAL but no other carrier. Its sad
Yes
I wish we can go, but we can’t afford the current pricing and availability on points is pretty much non existent š
AC did fly 2 or 3 flights right before Pesach but cancelled when Iran attacked.
They sure did, and my daughter’s return flight from Israel was on one of those flights, and she made it back, pretty lucky, B”H.
Looks like 2 flights, fixed the post, thanks.
What are the chances of el al adding flights in terms of codeshare-connections with other airlines?
El al flights have low to none availibilty and I can’t think of flying other airlines without my high tier goodies I am eligible at el al
I dont mind connections its a good break in between and sometimes can work out better in terms of timing
Just flew arkia last week. No charge for carry on from the states but when I left they charged me $20 a carry on which made no sense. He was the only agent charging everyone else did not pay.
How was the ARKIA flight? Online they only show coach seats but on seat guru it shows upgrade seats also. Also online I could not find available seating. How was the flight and the service?
“Will you fly to Israel this summer?”
What a galut mentality! Hopefully most of your Jewish readers will already be here š
haha
Direct flights are not important for me.
I’m fine flying with a layover in Europe if it’s cheaper or departure time is more convenient.
Direct is safer
big if.. on the cheaper
Im doubtful that Air Canada will resume in June.
They were suppose to resume in April, then May. The Government of Canada currently has a “Israel – AVOID NON-ESSENTIAL TRAVEL” warning and until that changes, I am doubtful that the Air Canada union will allow the airline staff to fly. I dont think they will resume until September, which would be around 3 months after an upcoming election.