Delta Joins United, American, Wizz Air, And Israir Launch New Flights To Tel Aviv And Jerusalem In 2026

In 2026, Israel is set to see a significant expansion in its international air travel services, with a wide range of new flights to and from Jerusalem. While Jerusalem itself does not have its own international airport, most flights to the city operate through Ben Gurion Airport (TLV), which is located near Tel Aviv. These new and expanded flight routes are poised to strengthen Israel’s position as a global tourism and business hub, further enhancing its accessibility to travelers worldwide. From new connections with Asia to increased services to the United States, 2026 will be a year of major growth for Israeli aviation.

A New Era for Israel-India Connections

One of the most anticipated developments in 2026 is the launch of direct flights between Tel Aviv and New Delhi. Starting on January 1, 2026, Air India will resume flights between the two cities, providing a direct connection between India and Israel. This new route will serve both business and tourism interests, opening up greater opportunities for trade, cultural exchange, and tourism. The addition of these direct flights will make it more convenient for travelers from India to visit Israel, particularly for those interested in exploring the historical and cultural significance of Jerusalem.

The resumption of this route highlights the growing importance of India as an emerging market for Israeli tourism and vice versa. With both countries having strong historical and cultural ties, the direct flights will further deepen these relationships and attract more Indian tourists to explore Israel’s rich heritage, including Jerusalem’s religious landmarks and Holy sites.

Israir Expands into Asia and India

In addition to Air India’s new route, Israir, one of Israel’s prominent airlines, will be expanding its network to several Asian destinations. Starting during Passover 2026, Israir will introduce new international routes connecting Tel Aviv to Tokyo, Hanoi, Delhi, Mumbai, Phuket, and Bangkok. This expansion into Asia underscores Israel’s growing interest in attracting tourists from the East. As part of a broader trend to boost tourism to Jerusalem and other key sites, these new flights will open new gateways for travelers seeking to explore the history, culture, and spirituality of Israel.

For many travelers from Asia, these direct flights will offer an accessible way to visit Israel without having to deal with long layovers or connecting flights. The airline’s decision to introduce these routes reflects the rising demand for Asian travel to Israel, driven by both business and leisure tourism. The expansion of Israir’s network will not only increase accessibility to Jerusalem but also support Israel’s strategy to diversify its tourism offerings by welcoming more international visitors.

Wizz Air Launches New Route from Tel Aviv to Budapest

Wizz Air, a leading European low-cost airline, will also be entering the Israeli market with the launch of a new direct route between Tel Aviv and Budapest. This service, set to begin in March 2026, marks the airline’s first-ever flight from Israel to Budapest. The new route will provide travelers with a more affordable and convenient way to travel between Israel and Hungary, which will be a welcome addition for tourists looking to explore the Eastern European region.

For those heading to Jerusalem, the new Budapest-Tel Aviv connection will further enhance Israel’s appeal as a tourism destination, offering travelers easier access from Hungary and other parts of Europe. With Wizz Air focusing on providing budget-friendly options, this route will likely attract young travelers, families, and backpackers who want to visit Jerusalem and other parts of Israel while keeping travel costs low.

Delta Air Lines Expands U.S.-Israel Connectivity

For travelers from the United States, Delta Air Lines is set to launch new transatlantic flights from Tel Aviv to both Atlanta and Boston in 2026. These new routes will further bolster the U.S.-Israel connection, providing more options for travelers flying to Israel from major U.S. cities. The addition of Atlanta and Boston to the Delta network is part of the airline’s broader strategy to increase transatlantic connectivity and strengthen its presence in the Middle East.

The new flights will provide U.S. tourists with more options for flying into Israel, making it easier for them to visit Jerusalem and other iconic locations across the country. The added U.S.-Israel connectivity will benefit both leisure travelers looking to explore the rich history and culture of Jerusalem, as well as business travelers with interests in Israel’s thriving tech and innovation sectors.

United Airlines to Increase Tel Aviv Flights

Along with Delta, United Airlines is also increasing its service to Tel Aviv in Spring 2026. United’s expanded U.S.-Israel flights will offer travelers more flexibility and ease when flying from the United States to Israel, making Jerusalem more accessible than ever. With these increased services, United Airlines continues to solidify its position as a key player in transatlantic travel, connecting passengers between Israel and major American cities.

The increased frequency of flights from United Airlines reflects the strong demand for travel to Israel, driven by a combination of tourism and business interests. As more American travelers look to visit Jerusalem, these expanded flight services will ensure that Tel Aviv remains a central hub for connecting the U.S. with the rest of the Middle East.

American Airlines Relaunches Direct Flight to Tel Aviv

American Airlines will also reintroduce its direct flight route from New York (JFK) to Tel Aviv starting March 28, 2026. This service, which was paused for several years, will once again provide a direct connection between New York and Israel, catering to both the growing Jewish-American community and a broader audience interested in visiting Jerusalem. The re-launch of this flight marks another significant step in strengthening the bond between the United States and Israel, while making it more convenient for tourists to explore Jerusalem and other important Israeli landmarks.

Jerusalem’s Role in Israel’s Growing Tourism Sector

With all of these new flight routes launching in 2026, Jerusalem is set to benefit significantly. As one of the world’s most spiritually and historically significant cities, Jerusalem will see a surge in tourism, driven by easier access for travelers from around the globe. These new direct flights will not only make it easier for people to visit Jerusalem but will also contribute to Israel’s broader goal of boosting its tourism sector and improving global connectivity.

Israel’s focus on expanding international air travel will have lasting benefits for Jerusalem’s economy and its cultural and spiritual importance. As more international flights become available, more people will have the opportunity to experience the beauty, history, and spirituality of Jerusalem, contributing to the city’s continued prominence on the world stage.

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Travelore Tips: Where To Find The Cheapest Flights On Every Continent

 

Karl Baron

Outside of the U.S., there are literally thousands of airlines, some catering to multi-million dollar business travelers, others just to families, and some target the ultimate budget traveler. It’s the last one that we’re more interested in, especially for short international flights and travel during holidays and peak seasons, when airfares on traditional airlines tend to soar. Low-budget carriers usually take a no-frills approach, but then, who really needs frills on a short flight?

You probably already look to the likes of Southwest, JetBlue, and maybe even Spirit here in the States — but if you ever find yourself in need of a cheap flight anywhere else in the world, these are the names you want to know.

Africa and the Middle East
Largely void of continental airlines, let alone low-cost carriers, Africa recently welcomed the addition of FastJet to Tanzania. Overseen by the European budget airline EasyJet, two-year-old FastJet also currently operates throughout South Africa, Zimbabwe, and Zambia. Within the next year, the carrier hopes to launch ports in Angola, Ghana, and Kenya. Flights from hub Dar es Salaam to Mt. Kilimanjaro start at $85 round-trip, and newly popular flights from Johannesburg, South Africa to the hub begin at around $100.

Middle East carriers like Air Arabia and Flydubai cater to budget travelers in north African nations like Egypt. With Air Arabia, flights from Dubai to Cairo start at under $200.

Other low-cost providers include: Nouvelair, Fly540, Flynas, UP, and Jazeera Airways.

Asia & South Pacific
Asia and the South Pacific welcome the sexiest assortment of budget airlines in the world. Three-peat low-cost airline of the year champion Air Asia offers insanely cheap flights to 85 destinations around Asia, the South Pacific, and Australia. To give you a sense of how cheap we’re talking: In a recent promotion, domestic flights from Kuala Lumpur began at $14.

Four more Asia-based airline operators have placed in the top 10 of best low-cost airlines in the world. IndiGo navigates India, the Middle East, and the South Pacific. A round-trip ticket from Delhi to Mumbai, for example runs just $130. Still not convinced? Jetstar (based in Australia), Tiger Airways (Singapore), and Scoot (Singapore) also rank very well. Unlike the others, Scoot runs primarily long-haul, last-minute flights; right now, you can snag a flight from Singapore to Seoul for about $180.

Other low-cost providers include: Spring Airlines, Jeju Air, Nok Air, PAL Airlines,  and Lion Air.

Europe
Europe mastered budget airlines before that even became a thing. RyanAir offered, and continues to offer, insanely cheap flights throughout Europe — although largely at the cost of comfort, nickle-and-diming passengers for any in-flight luxury (e.g. a carry-on). Still, for those on a tight budget, RyanAir satisfies. Fall specials promote flights at $25 one-way.

Comparatively, EasyJet classes up their flights more than RyanAir but with similar low prices. In September alone, EasyJet has over eighty flights, to destinations all over Europe, starting under $50 one-way.

What if you feel like flying cross-continental? Scandinavian carrier Norwegian Airlines reduces the financial burden of flying from the U.S. to Europe, with one-way tickets from NYC to Stockholm for $166 each. (Of course, these flights don’t include checked baggage or meals, so your total costs might be higher unless you pack very lightly.)

Other low-cost providers include: SmartWings, XL Airways, Wizz Air, Icelandair, Aer Lingus, Blue Air, Vueling, Pegasus Airlines, Dobrolet Airlines, Fly Romania, and Flybe.

The Americas
Other than the cheap U.S. carriers, two major budget carriers dominate the American marketplace. Canada’s WestJet, another renown low-cost carrier of 2014, sells some of the cheapest prices at 80 destinations through Canada, the U.S., and Europe. Although peak season from Toronto to NYC is ending, we found that prices between the two cities remain convenient at $250 round-trip.

In South America, low cost carriers vary throughout each country. What’s cheap in Colombia won’t necessarily offer cheap rates in Brazil. Brazilian airline Gol tries, but few South American airlines provide the extensive, continental network of LAN, who’s currently selling flights from Miami to Bogota, Colombia for under $500.

Other low-cost providers include: Amaszonas, Azul Brazilian Airlines, AeroSantaigo, EasyFly, VivaColombia, Interjet, Volaris, and Peruvian Airlines.

Contributed by Tommy Burson

- See more at: http://blog.shermanstravel.com/2014/08/27/where-to-find-the-cheapest-flights-on-every-continent/#sthash.bQsN7bv9.dpuf

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6 Ways To Save On A Trip To Europe

Contributed by Erin Gifford 

Ask anyone and they will tell you that traveling to Europe this summer will not be cheap, unless of course you want to go very early June or late August. Even then, it will still cost you more than a few bones thanks to record-level fuel surcharges and airport fees tacked onto each ticket. Fortunately, we have a few ways to help you save. Here are six of our favorite money-saving tips.

Choose Budget Airlines for Intra-Europe Flights

When traveling between cities in Europe, you won't always find the best deals by taking the train. A variety of budget carriers have cropped up in Europe, like Wizz Air and SmartWings, making it fairly inexpensive to travel between cities and countries. Mara Gorman of The Mother of All Trips flew from Geneva to Bordeaux last summer on EasyJet, largely because it cost one-third the train fare and she arrived in one-quarter the time.

Hunt for Fares Outside the Major Sites

Don't assume that online travel agents, like Expedia and Orbitz, have the best fares. In fact, some airlines, like Turkish Airlines and Ryanair, are not included, so you'll need to find airfares for those airlines separately on their websites. AirlineConsolidator.com is another site worth checking into since they specialize in discount international airline tickets.

Go for a Home Exchange

A variety of home exchange sites, like HomeExchange.com, HomeAway, and Love Home Swap, make it easy to swap your home with the house of another person or family in Europe or anywhere around the world. It's an easy way to save on lodging, particularly if you're planning a stay of two weeks or more. Listing fees run $10-$15 per month, but then you don't pay anything to stay in the home swap. You can even exchange cars and pets. Try Shelley Miller of Home Exchange Expert for loads of home swap tips. 

Consider Different Neighborhoods

If you prefer to stay in a hotel, look for small hotels and B&Bs in welcoming neighborhoods just outside the main tourist thoroughfares. Large, chain hotels in tourist districts are often more expensive, largely due to taxes, which are passed along to hotel guests. Compare several hotels to find the best deals and book directly through the hotel to save. You may even be able to cut a deal directly with the hotelier.

Look for Discounts and Free Activities

During the summer, you'll find complimentary outdoor festivals and wine tastings all across Europe. Many cities also offer free walking tours. Guides work on a tips-only basis, so it's in their interests to offer the best tours around. Many cities, like London, have free museums aplenty, and many more cities set aside select days and times during the week for free and deeply-discounted admissions, making it wise to hit their websites before you go.

Eat Lunches Out, Stay In for Dinners

We all want to be able to experience the culinary delights specific to each region in Europe, but opting for lunches out on the town rather than dinners can save up to half the price. Many department stores in Europe, like Harrod's and Printemps Paris, offer lovely self-service lunches. Keep in mind, too, that many restaurants and bars will charge you a few Euros to sit down, so stand up at the bar if you want to keep your meal costs down. Also, eat away from the main tourist drags to save a bit more.

Photo credit: Florence in summer via Shutterstock