The world's largest airline resumes flights to Israel after more than two years.
After an absence since October 2023, American Airlines returns to operating the New York (JFK) - Tel Aviv route starting Saturday, March 28, 2026. The first flight from Tel Aviv to New York will take off on March 31, 2026.
This move brings significant news for passengers traveling from Israel to the United States, as the aviation giant is expected to increase competition on North American routes next summer, joining Delta Airlines and United, which recently resumed flights to Israel, alongside Israeli companies.
The route will run daily, using wide-body Boeing 777-200 aircraft with 273 seats, configured in three classes: Business, Premium Economy, and Economy.
Business Class will feature 35 seats that recline to a flat bed in a 1-2-1 configuration. Premium Economy will have 24 seats offering increased legroom and enhanced comfort, while Economy Class will count 212 seats.
Flight schedule
Flights from New York (JFK) to Tel Aviv will depart at 23:25 and will arrive at 17:00 the following day. Flights from Tel Aviv will depart at 00:35 and will land in New York at 05:25. Ticket sales will begin on October 27.
American Airlines' wide-body Boeing 777. Photo: American AirlinesAll classes feature personal multimedia screens, power connections, and WiFi, making it particularly convenient for transatlantic flights.
American Airlines business class seats in 777 aircraft. Photo: American AirlinesCompetition Hits New Heights
Simultaneously, competition for the New York route is expected to heat up in summer 2026, following United Airlines's announcement from two weeks ago that it will expand its operations with an additional daily flight between Ben Gurion and Newark, positioning it with three daily flights on the route.
Israir is also expected to operate a daily flight on the route starting with the summer flight schedule, after receiving a license to fly to New York. It will join Arkia, which began flying the route in February this year, and is considered one of El Al's flagship routes.
With the expected addition of American Airlines, the market for flights from Israel to New York will become denser and more competitive than ever.
