Last Updated on July 31, 2026 by Daniel Globe
Flights to Israel are operating again, but the schedule remains unusually fluid. Airlines may pause a route, move a restart date, or sell an itinerary that is actually flown by a partner. That makes the operating carrier, airport, and travel date more important than the logo shown at the top of a search result.
This guide explains which airlines are flying to Israel as of July 31, 2026, which major U.S. routes remain suspended, where international flights land, and how to verify a booking before you pay.
Quick Answer
Israel is open to commercial air travel, but the airline list changes often. As of July 31, 2026, EL AL and Arkia provide the main nonstop U.S. service, while American, Delta, and United remain paused. Several European and regional carriers are operating or returning. Always confirm the operating carrier and flight status before booking.
Key Takeaways
- Ben Gurion Airport (TLV) is the main international gateway for Tel Aviv, Jerusalem, and most long-haul visitors.
- EL AL and Arkia are the primary nonstop options between Israel and the United States at the time of this update.
- American Airlines, Delta Air Lines, and United Airlines are not currently operating the nonstop services described in the old article.
- Lufthansa, Austrian Airlines, Eurowings, Wizz Air, Air Europa, and several regional carriers have resumed or expanded selected Israel routes, but schedules can change quickly.
- Visa-exempt travelers generally need an approved ETA-IL before departure, and travelers should review current government security guidance.
Airlines Flying to Israel Now: 2026 Status
The table below focuses on the airlines most relevant to travelers from the United States and Europe. It is a planning snapshot, not a guarantee that every listed flight will operate on every date.
| Airline or group | Status on July 31, 2026 | What travelers should know |
|---|---|---|
| EL AL | Operating | Markets nonstop U.S. service from New York, Los Angeles, Miami, and Boston. San Francisco service is scheduled to begin October 25, 2026. |
| Arkia | Operating selected long-haul and regional routes | Operates nonstop service between Tel Aviv and New York-JFK, with frequency varying by season and aircraft availability. |
| American Airlines | No American-operated nonstop service | American may sell connecting or partner-operated itineraries to TLV, but its own New York-Tel Aviv nonstop is suspended into January 2027. |
| Delta Air Lines | Nonstop service paused | JFK-TLV is planned to resume September 6, 2026. Atlanta service is suspended through December 18, and the planned Boston launch is delayed. |
| United Airlines | Nonstop service paused | United is selling some later-dated TLV itineraries, but its nonstop operation remains suspended at the time of this update. |
| Lufthansa Group | Gradual return | Austrian, Lufthansa from Frankfurt, and Eurowings are operating selected July flights. Munich and Zurich service is scheduled to expand from August 1. |
| Other foreign carriers | Varies by airline and date | Wizz Air, Air Europa, Aegean, LOT, Ethiopian, flydubai, Emirates, Royal Jordanian, Pegasus, and other airlines may appear on the current Ben Gurion schedule. Verify the exact flight on the official airport board. |
Note: The Israel Airports Authority airline directory includes companies registered to serve Ben Gurion Airport, but a directory listing does not prove that an airline is operating on your date. Use the official Ben Gurion flight board and then confirm the flight on the airline’s website.
American Airlines Flights to Israel
American Airlines is not currently operating the daily New York-to-Tel Aviv nonstop described in the original article, and it does not operate a Miami-to-Tel Aviv nonstop. Its planned JFK return was pushed into January 2027. Travelers can still find American-branded tickets to Israel, but those itineraries may connect in Europe or be flown partly by a partner airline.
Before booking, open the flight details and look for the words “operated by.” That line tells you which airline supplies the aircraft and crew. It also affects check-in, seat selection, baggage rules, disruption handling, and the terminal you may use.
Pro Tip: A ticket sold on aa.com is not automatically an American Airlines nonstop. Compare the flight number, operating carrier, connection airport, and total travel time before paying.
Delta Air Lines Flights to Israel
Delta Air Lines also remains paused at the time of this update. According to Delta’s official Tel Aviv update, JFK service is planned to return on September 6, 2026. Atlanta service is suspended through December 18, 2026, and the proposed Boston route is delayed until further notice. Delta has not announced a Los Angeles-Tel Aviv nonstop.
Delta’s eventual return would add more competition for U.S. travelers, but a planned restart date is not the same as an operating flight. Check the reservation again before making nonrefundable hotel, rail, or tour arrangements.
EL AL Flights to Israel
EL AL remains the broadest nonstop option between the United States and Israel. Its U.S. booking pages advertise nonstop service from New York-JFK and Newark, Los Angeles, Miami, and Boston. The airline also says San Francisco-Tel Aviv service will begin October 25, 2026.
| U.S. route | Airport in Israel | 2026 planning note |
|---|---|---|
| New York-JFK or Newark | Tel Aviv-Ben Gurion (TLV) | Core nonstop market; frequency varies by date. |
| Los Angeles | Tel Aviv-Ben Gurion (TLV) | Nonstop service is marketed by EL AL. |
| Miami | Tel Aviv-Ben Gurion (TLV) | Nonstop service is marketed by EL AL. |
| Boston | Tel Aviv-Ben Gurion (TLV) | Availability and operating days vary. |
| San Francisco | Tel Aviv-Ben Gurion (TLV) | Scheduled to begin October 25, 2026. |
Long-haul commercial flights do not land in central Jerusalem, and Los Angeles flights do not use Haifa Airport. Ben Gurion Airport serves the Tel Aviv area and is the main gateway for Jerusalem. Haifa Airport has a much smaller regional network, mainly serving nearby Mediterranean destinations.
EL AL offers kosher meal service and multiple cabin products on selected long-haul aircraft. The exact seat, Wi-Fi, entertainment, meal, and baggage package depends on the aircraft and fare family, so compare the specific flight rather than assuming every route has the same amenities.
Benefits of the Available Flight Routes for Travelers
More operating airlines can improve schedule choice, connection options, and fare competition. A nonstop may reduce total travel time and lower the chance of a missed connection, while a one-stop itinerary may offer a lower fare or more departure cities.
Flexibility matters more than usual on Israel routes. A slightly higher fare with change options may be more useful than the lowest basic fare when a carrier changes its schedule. Compare refund rules, rebooking rights, baggage fees, seat charges, and the protection offered when all flight segments are on one ticket.
- Nonstop advantage: fewer moving parts and no connection airport.
- One-ticket connection: the airline is generally responsible for rebooking after a protected missed connection.
- Separate-ticket risk: the second airline may treat you as a no-show if the first flight is late.
- Flexible-fare value: easier changes when security conditions or airline schedules shift.
Impact of Flight Routes on Tourism in Israel
Air access is essential to Israel’s visitor economy, but the relationship is not as simple as “more routes equal more tourists.” Demand also depends on security conditions, government advisories, insurance coverage, event schedules, and whether travelers believe their return flight will operate.
When foreign airlines return, travelers gain more choices and local tourism businesses may benefit. When carriers pause service, Israeli airlines often carry a larger share of traffic, and fares can rise because fewer seats are available. These effects can change within days, so old market-share or tourism-growth claims should not be presented as permanent facts.
For Israel travel in 2026, a confirmed ticket is a snapshot—not a guarantee that the same schedule will remain in place until departure.
Comparison of Services and Amenities
Airline choice should start with operational reliability and itinerary protection, then move to comfort. The best option depends on the route, aircraft, fare, and traveler.
| Factor | What to compare |
|---|---|
| Operating carrier | The airline providing the aircraft and crew, not only the airline selling the ticket. |
| Schedule stability | Recent cancellations, restart dates, and whether backup flights operate on nearby days. |
| Fare flexibility | Refundability, change fees, fare differences, and travel-credit expiration. |
| Cabin and seat | Aircraft type, seat pitch, lie-flat availability, seat-selection cost, and bassinet rules. |
| Baggage | Checked-bag allowance, carry-on limits, sports equipment, and partner-airline differences. |
| Connections | Minimum connection time, transit-visa rules, overnight stays, and whether the trip is on one ticket. |
EL AL may appeal to travelers who value an Israeli carrier, kosher catering, and a wide nonstop network. Arkia can be useful on New York and selected leisure routes. A major European carrier may provide a convenient one-stop itinerary from cities without a nonstop. Loyalty status and miles can matter, but they should not outweigh a fragile connection or restrictive fare.
The Significance of Airline Expansion into Israel
New and returning routes improve access for tourists, business travelers, families, and Israelis living abroad. They can also reduce dependence on a small number of carriers. However, a route announcement should be described as a plan until flights actually begin.
The most meaningful 2026 additions are those that create genuine nonstop access or restore a dependable hub connection. EL AL’s planned San Francisco return expands West Coast access, while the Lufthansa Group’s staged restoration adds more connection options through Frankfurt, Vienna, Munich, and Zurich.
Challenges and Opportunities for Airlines
Airlines serving Israel must balance customer demand with security assessments, airspace availability, crew planning, insurance, aircraft positioning, and regulatory requirements. A carrier may be willing to sell a future schedule but still change it if conditions worsen.
Warning: The U.S. Department of State advises travelers to reconsider travel to Israel because of terrorism and civil unrest, with stricter warnings for some areas. Review the full advisory and your own government’s guidance before booking.
For airlines, the opportunity is strong demand on routes that connect family, religious, tourism, and technology markets. The challenge is maintaining a reliable schedule when conditions can change quickly. Carriers with flexible fleets, strong partner networks, and clear rebooking policies may be better placed to manage disruptions.
Future Growth and Expansion of Flight Routes to Israel
Future growth is likely to come in stages rather than through one broad return. Airlines may first restore a few weekly flights, then add frequencies after reviewing demand and operational performance. Some planned restarts will move again, while other carriers may return sooner than expected.
Travelers should treat launch dates as provisional until the airline opens check-in and the flight appears on the airport departure board. For a new route, avoid building an expensive, nonrefundable itinerary around the first few operating days.
The Changing Landscape of Air Travel to Israel
Ben Gurion Airport is open, and Terminal 1 resumed international departures on July 1, 2026. Even so, the airline landscape remains mixed: Israeli carriers are providing much of the nonstop U.S. access, several European airlines are rebuilding service, and the three largest U.S. network airlines remain paused.
Before buying any ticket, follow this verification sequence:
- Search the exact date on the airline’s own website.
- Confirm the airport code is TLV for Ben Gurion Airport.
- Read the operated by line for every segment.
- Check whether all segments are on one ticket.
- Review the airline’s current travel alert and change policy.
- Check the Ben Gurion flight board again 24 to 48 hours before departure.
- Confirm the departure terminal before leaving for the airport.
Once the flight is secure, move on to hotels, ground transportation, tours, and packing. Do not let a low fare or a gear checklist distract from verifying the part of the trip most likely to change: the operating flight.
Entry Requirements and Preflight Checks
Nationals of visa-exempt countries generally need an approved ETA-IL electronic travel authorization before traveling to Israel. The official system says eligible visitors may stay for up to 90 days per visit and should hold a passport valid for at least three months from arrival. Travelers who require a visa must follow the visa process instead.
Do not rely on the original article’s generic COVID-19 testing and quarantine language. Entry rules now focus on passport, visa or ETA-IL eligibility, and current border or security instructions. Requirements can still change, so verify them through the official Israeli entry portal and your airline before departure.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which airlines are currently flying to Israel?
EL AL, Arkia, Israir, Air Haifa, Lufthansa, Austrian Airlines, Eurowings, Wizz Air, Air Europa, Aegean, LOT, Ethiopian, flydubai, Emirates, Royal Jordanian, Pegasus, and other carriers may operate selected Israel routes. The list varies by date, so confirm your exact flight on the Ben Gurion flight board and the airline’s website.
Are budget airlines flying to Israel?
Yes. Wizz Air and several regional or leisure-focused airlines operate selected low-cost routes. Ryanair, easyJet, and other budget carriers may suspend or restart service on different timelines, so never assume a route is active because it operated in an earlier season.
Are American Airlines, Delta, or United flying nonstop to Israel now?
No, not as of July 31, 2026. American’s nonstop return has been pushed into January 2027, Delta plans to resume JFK service in September, and United remains paused. Later-dated schedules can change again.
Which airlines offer nonstop flights from the United States to Israel?
EL AL offers the broadest nonstop U.S. network, including New York, Los Angeles, Miami, and Boston, with San Francisco scheduled from October 25, 2026. Arkia operates New York-JFK service. Always verify the operating date and aircraft.
Do international flights land in Jerusalem or Haifa?
Most international travelers use Ben Gurion Airport, code TLV. It serves both Tel Aviv and Jerusalem. Haifa Airport, code HFA, has a limited regional network and is not the arrival airport for U.S. long-haul flights.
What documents do visa-exempt travelers need?
Visa-exempt travelers generally need a valid passport and an approved ETA-IL before departure. Use only the official Israeli government entry website, and check whether your nationality has additional requirements.
How can I reduce the risk of a disrupted Israel itinerary?
Book all segments on one ticket, favor flexible fares, avoid tight connections, read the operating-carrier details, and delay nonrefundable ground bookings when possible. Recheck the airline and airport flight status shortly before departure.
Sources
- Israel Airports Authority — Ben Gurion Flight Board — live arrivals, departures, terminals, and flight-status checks.
- EL AL — United States Routes — current U.S. gateways and nonstop booking information.
- Delta Air Lines — Tel Aviv Flight Updates — current pause and planned restart dates.
- Lufthansa Group — Israel Schedule Update — staged return of Austrian, Lufthansa, Eurowings, SWISS, and Brussels Airlines.
- Population and Immigration Authority — ETA-IL — official electronic travel authorization and passport guidance.
- U.S. Department of State — Israel, the West Bank and Gaza Travel Advisory — current security guidance for U.S. travelers.