Delta Air Lines To Resume Tel Aviv Service From New York-JFK With Nearly 2,000 Weekly Seats

Atlanta-based Delta Air Lines is preparing to resume flights to Tel Aviv amid the conflict in the region. After an “extensive security risk assessment,” the carrier quickly scheduled the service to commence at the end of this week.

The move comes as the summer travel season is ramping up with other airlines increasing flights and adding new service to several destinations. Delta’s SkyTeam Alliance partner, Virgin Atlantic, also announced its plan to return to Tel Aviv.

Bringing it back

Delta confirmed on Monday that nonstop flights from its hub at John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) to Ben Gurion Airport (TLV) would return on June 7th after an eight-month pause. The service was temporarily suspended in October of last year after the conflict in the region posed a safety risk to flights.

Photo: Airbus

The airline said its decision to resume its JFK-TLV service was followed by a thorough assessment of any security risks and that it would continue to observe the situation.

“Delta continues to closely monitor the situation in Israel in conjunction with government and private-sector partners.”

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The carrier is also focused on curating more premium travel experiences.

The flights will be operated by the carrier’s new Airbus A330-900neo aircraft, which accommodates 281 passengers in a three-class layout. The airline’s most premium product is Delta One 29 suites, which have seats that transform into lie-flat beds. Delta Premium Select, the airline’s version of premium economy, has 28 recliner seats. The main cabin comprises the remaining 224 seats, albeit 56 seats are Delta Comfort+ seats with up to three inches of increased pitch.

More than 13,000 seats this month

With the service returning, Delta said it will provide travelers with nearly 2,000 seats per week from JFK to TLV. According to aviation data and analytics firm Cirium, the carrier will operate a total of 47 flights this month across daily frequencies. In total, 13,207 seats will be offered on the route. The TLV-bound flight will depart from JFK in the afternoon and arrive the following day. The return flight leaves TLV just before noon and lands back at JFK just after 17:00

Photo: Airbus

Delta will be the only US airline to operate the route. However, United Airlines brought back its service from nearby Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR) in March, helping to increase capacity. American Airlines, which also serves TLV from JFK, suspended its service in October but is not expected to resume its flights until October of this year.

Codeshare partnerships with EL AL

EL AL Israel Airlines has continued to operate flights from TLV to both JFK and EWR with its Boeing 787 Dreamliners since the conflict began. Delta has strengthened its presence in Israel thanks to a codeshare agreement with EL AL. The partnership allows Delta’s passengers to have access to EL AL’s other nonstop flights to TLV from Boston, Los Angeles, Miami, and Fort Lauderdale.

Additionally, Delta’s partner, Virgin Atlantic, announced a new codeshare partnership with EL AL on Monday. The move, which is expected to enhance connectivity further, comes as the airline plans to resume flights to TLV from its hub at London Heathrow Airport (LHR) on September 5th.

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