Delta Air Lines to Resume Flights to Tel Aviv This Week

Delta Air Lines will resume flights to Tel Aviv this week, becoming the latest airline to relaunch its route.

The carrier will restart flights between John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) and Tel Aviv’s Ben Gurion Airport (TLV) on June 7, Delta announced. The route will operate daily on an Airbus A330-900neo aircraft. 

“The decision to resume the route on June 7, 2024, which was temporarily suspended in October 2023, follows an extensive security risk assessment by the airline,” Delta wrote in a statement. “Delta continues to closely monitor the situation in Israel in conjunction with government and private-sector partners.”

Like most airlines around the world, Delta paused its service to Israel in October 2023 following the start of the war in Israel and the Gaza Strip.

The decision to restart service to the country comes months after United Airlines did the same from Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR) in March. However, in April, United once again temporarily suspended flights to the country following security concerns between Israel and Iran, Reuters reported. 

A spokesperson for United confirmed to Travel + Leisure the airline will once again resume flights on June 6.

While Delta has not flown to Israel, its codeshare partner, EL AL Israel Airlines, has continued to operate between the country and the United States.

The U.S. Department of State, which designates Hamas as a foreign terrorist organization, has issued an advisory for U.S. citizens to “reconsider travel” to both Israel and the West Bank due to “terrorism and civil unrest,” and to not travel to Gaza “due to terrorism and armed conflict.”

“The security situation remains unpredictable, and U.S. citizens are reminded to remain vigilant and take appropriate steps to increase their security awareness as security incidents, including mortar and rocket fire, often take place without warning,” the State Department wrote about travel to Israel. 

The State Department added the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) continue to conduct “large-scale military operations in Gaza” and the “U.S. government is unable to provide routine or emergency consular services to U.S. citizens in Gaza as U.S. government employees are prohibited from traveling there.”