NEW YORK- Delta Air Lines (DL) resumes flights to Tel Aviv (TLV) on Tuesday, May 21, 2025, becoming the first U.S. carrier to reinstate service following the Houthi missile attack on Israel’s Ben-Gurion International Airport (TLV) earlier this month.
The Atlanta-based airline confirmed the resumption, marking a significant step in restoring air connectivity between the United States and Israel.
Delta Restarts Tel Aviv, Israel Flights
Daily nonstop service between New York’s John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) and Tel Aviv (TLV) restarts with the first outbound flight departing Tuesday afternoon.
The inaugural return flight from Tel Aviv (TLV) to New York (JFK) will take off Wednesday morning, reestablishing a crucial air link for business travellers and the Jewish diaspora community.
Delta’s decision to lead the return of U.S. carriers to Israel positions it ahead of United Airlines (UA), its primary competitor on the route. Chicago-based United has extended its temporary suspension, postponing the resumption of its twice-daily Newark-to-Tel Aviv service until mid-June at the earliest.
United Airlines (UA) continues monitoring the security situation closely before committing to a return date. “We continue to closely monitor the situation and will make decisions on resuming service with a focus on the safety of our customers and crew,” United stated.
Dallas-based American Airlines (AA) has yet to announce plans to resume service to Israel. The carrier has been absent from the Israeli market since suspending operations following the Hamas-led attack on southern Israel on October 7, 2023, which initiated the ongoing conflict in Gaza. Americans’ continued absence leaves a significant gap in U.S.-Israel air service.
Delta’s early resumption raises questions about whether United (UA) might accelerate its return to capture market share.
Strong Demand
A Delta (DL) spokesperson revealed on Monday that all flights to Israel were fully booked through next week.
This robust demand demonstrates passenger confidence in Delta’s operations despite ongoing regional security concerns and highlights the importance of the route for many travellers.
Houthi Missile Attack on May 4
The May 4 Houthi missile attack, which penetrated both U.S. and Israeli missile defence systems and landed near Ben-Gurion Airport (TLV), triggered widespread flight cancellations among international airlines.
This disruption occurred just as major foreign carriers had begun reestablishing service to Israel this spring after previous suspensions.
Implications for Regional Air Travel
Delta’s return serves as a potential catalyst for other international carriers considering the resumption of Israeli operations.
The airline’s decision signals confidence in current security measures protecting Ben-Gurion Airport (TLV) despite the demonstrated vulnerability to missile attacks. The move comes as tensions remain high in the region, with continued conflict in Gaza and periodic missile threats from Yemen-based Houthi forces.
The resumption of Delta’s service represents a significant development in maintaining air links to Israel during a period of regional instability and provides an essential transportation option for travellers needing to reach Israel for business, family, or other purposes.
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