New Route Alert: Israir To Launch Direct Flights Between Tel Aviv And New York

Travelers flying between the United States and Israel will soon have another option to consider. Israeli budget carrier Israir has announced it will launch direct flights connecting Tel Aviv and New York City starting next week.

This new route comes at a crucial time for transatlantic travel to the region, offering much-needed capacity following widespread flight cancellations by international carriers amid the ongoing conflicts in Gaza and Iran.

Here is everything you need to know about Israir's new service.

Flight Details and Schedule

Israir will officially commence its direct service between Ben Gurion International Airport (TLV) and John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) on September 15, 2026.

• Initial Frequency: The airline will start by operating three flights per week.
• Future Expansion: By the end of October 2026, Israir plans to ramp up its operations to offer daily flights on this route.
• The Aircraft: The airline recently completed preparations to operate two Airbus A330 wide-body aircraft to service these long-haul routes.

Pricing and Fare Expectations

While Israir is known as a budget carrier, current market constraints and high demand mean introductory prices will reflect the current premium on U.S.-Israel travel.

• Starting Fares: Initial pricing is set at $950 for a one-way ticket, bringing a round-trip fare to $1,900.
• Price Drops: Fares are expected to decrease slightly to around $1,600 for a round trip following the end of the Jewish holiday season in mid-October.

The Broader Aviation Context

With this launch, Israir becomes the third Israeli airline to service the Tel Aviv-New York market, joining the flagship carrier El Al and budget airline Arkia.

The addition of these flights is a welcome development for passengers who have faced scarce availability and soaring ticket prices. In the coming weeks, U.S. carriers such as Delta and United are also expected to resume their Israel-U.S. flights, bringing the total number of airlines offering Tel Aviv-New York routes to five. However, industry experts note that even with the extra supply, it may not completely cover the exceptionally high demand.

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Will this new route and the return of U.S. carriers impact your upcoming travel plans to the region?

Israir Joins The Race With Nonstop Flights From Tel Aviv To New York, Challenging El Al’s Monopoly

Israir is set to launch nonstop flights between Tel Aviv and New York, intensifying competition with El Al and offering lower fares for travelers.

Israir to Launch Nonstop Flights Between Tel Aviv and New York, Intensifying Competition

Israir is preparing to become the third Israeli airline offering nonstop flights between Tel Aviv and New York, intensifying competition with the national carrier, El Al, and contributing to a reduction in high airfares.

Request for U.S. Carrier Permit

The airline has submitted a request for a foreign air carrier permit to the U.S. Transportation Department (DOT), seeking approval to operate long-haul flights to the U.S. This comes shortly after rival Arkia launched its own direct service to New York last month, breaking El Al’s longstanding monopoly on the route. U.S. carriers have been cautious about flying to Israel due to the ongoing conflict with Hamas and the region’s security risks.

Planned Service Details

Israir plans to operate up to six weekly nonstop flights between Tel Aviv’s Ben Gurion International Airport and New York as early as this summer, although the airline has yet to reveal specifics about the service.

El Al’s Monopoly Under Pressure

Throughout most of the past year, El Al enjoyed a monopoly on the Tel Aviv-New York route as U.S. airlines avoided the area due to security concerns. This lack of competition led to severe shortages of available seats and significant fare hikes.

Arkia Joins the New York Route

In early February, Arkia initiated its own direct flights from Tel Aviv to New York, marking its first-ever U.S. route. Initially intended to operate for three months, Arkia has extended the service until at least October. The airline currently runs three weekly flights from Tel Aviv to John F. Kennedy Airport, with departures on Saturday nights just before midnight, and Monday and Wednesday afternoons.

Soaring Airfares Amid Conflict

Airfares between Israel and the U.S. have soared, with prices sometimes more than doubling since the outbreak of war on October 7, 2023. The conflict caused widespread disruptions, with foreign airlines frequently canceling and resuming flights due to rocket and drone threats. A fragile ceasefire and decreasing tensions have led several major airlines to announce the resumption of services to Israel.

U.S. Airlines Resume Services

U.S. carriers, including United Airlines, are set to return to Israel on March 15, while Delta Air Lines will resume its New York-Tel Aviv route on April 1. American Airlines has yet to announce its plans.

Comparing Airfares: Arkia vs. El Al

Current roundtrip fares on Arkia’s nonstop flights from Tel Aviv to New York start at around $1,200, significantly cheaper than El Al’s starting prices of about $1,800.

Israir’s Potential to Compete with El Al

Feldman remarked that if Israir were to offer business or premium class services, it could compete directly with El Al for a share of the market.

Future Challenges for Arkia and Israir

Looking ahead, both Arkia and Israir may face challenges in maintaining their New York routes as they compete with the reestablished U.S. carriers, especially if tensions ease and long-term peace is achieved.

https://www.travelandtourworld.com/

Travelore News Statement By Consul Haim Gutin Israel Tourism Commissioner, North & South America

July 23, 2014

On Monday, the U.S. State Department advised American citizens to consider deferring non-essential travel to Israel as a result of Operation Protective Edge, our current military engagement with Hamas in Gaza. Please know that tourism is continuing, and hotels, restaurants, tourist sites and holy places are open as usual. And it is important to understand that no ban has been proposed, but the State Department has urged Americans to "consider" the situation. Yesterday, the FAA imposed a 24-hour embargo on U.S. airlines' flights to Israel, and several European airlines have followed suit. Please know, however, that a variety of airlines including British Airways, El Al Israel Airlines, Arkia Israel Airlines and Israir are continuing as scheduled. Indeed, we expect all Israeli airlines to add additional flights to absorb passengers from cancelled flights. Please know that life in Israel, and tourism to Israel, goes on and we welcome all visitors in peace. Some 75,000 tourists are in the country, and their travel arrangements are proceeding as planned. We foresee the current conflict ending soon - and that all will return speedily to normal. The Ministry of Tourism in North and South America is at your service to respond to inquiries, concerns, and to restoring "business as usual" very soon. Shalom.