Key Takeaways
• Israir gained temporary U.S. approval for up to six weekly Tel Aviv–New York flights, valid for two years pending further clearance.
• Israir must secure full FAA and TSA clearances before launching service, with a projected start by Passover 2026 or sooner.
• Increased competition is expected to lower ticket prices, offering travelers more flexibility on a previously high-priced, limited-choice route.
Israir, an Israeli airline, has received key approval from the U.S. Department of Transportation to operate direct flights between Tel Aviv and New York. This decision marks an important shift for travelers flying between Israel 🇮🇱 and the United States 🇺🇸, opening the door for more competition and better choices for both leisure and business passengers. The approval, which is valid for two years for now, represents the first time that Israir will fly directly to the United States 🇺🇸 after being out of this market since 2009. Below, we’ll walk through what this decision means, what happens next, and how it could shape travel and airfare on this route in the months and years to come.
Why the Approval Matters
The U.S. Department of Transportation’s decision to allow Israir to operate these flights is not just another aviation story. It is a significant move for two main reasons. First, there has been a strong demand for more direct flight choices between Tel Aviv and New York—one of the busiest international routes linking Israel 🇮🇱 to the United States 🇺🇸. Second, this approval brings a new competitor into a market that, until recently, had very little competition for direct flights.
In the last several months, many travelers have had few options aside from El Al, the largest Israeli flag carrier, which led to some people facing very high ticket prices—sometimes as much as $3,600 for an economy seat. Analysis from VisaVerge.com suggests that more choices and stronger competition can help balance these prices and give people better service overall. Mark Feldman, CEO of Ziontours Jerusalem, put it simply: “The bottom line is that increased competition will lead to lower ticket prices for consumers—and that is needed.”
This change is welcome news for anyone who found themselves paying high fares or struggling to find seats during busy times. For families, students, businesspeople, and those visiting friends or relatives, knowing there will be another airline to choose from means greater flexibility and more chances to get a good deal.
Details of the U.S. Department of Transportation Approval
Let’s look more closely at what the Department of Transportation’s decision means for Israir and what steps come next:
- Temporary Approval: The initial approval from the Department of Transportation is temporary, lasting two years. This allows Israir to start making plans and taking steps to meet all requirements for a permanent license.
- Further Clearances Needed: While the Department of Transportation has given its green light, Israir still needs full operating approval from both the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and the Transportation Security Administration (TSA). These agencies handle safety and security for all flights entering the United States 🇺🇸, so their checks are very important. If all goes well, full approval is expected by June 2025.
- Planned Service Start Date: Israir intends to begin flying up to six nonstop roundtrip flights per week between Tel Aviv’s Ben Gurion International Airport and New York. The official launch could be as early as Passover 2026, or possibly sooner if they can arrange all of their aircraft and meet the remaining regulatory conditions.
Getting ready to run a major overseas flight is not easy. Israir will need to organize long-term leases for large aircraft like the Airbus A330 and train flight crews for these longer journeys. Satisfying all FAA and TSA rules will also require strong attention to operational details, security, and record-keeping.
How Competition is Heating Up on the Route
For years, El Al has been the main choice for travelers wanting a direct flight between Israel 🇮🇱 and the United States 🇺🇸. But the air travel landscape is changing quickly, especially after some American airlines paused their service to Tel Aviv due to safety concerns connected to regional conflict. Here is an overview of the current players and flights connecting Tel Aviv and New York:
- El Al: Continues to operate about 52 weekly flights on the route.
- Arkia: Launched its own Tel Aviv–JFK route in February 2025, now running three flights per week through October 2025.
- Israir: Newly approved and planning to offer up to six flights per week once final clearances come through.
- United Airlines: Resumed its own Tel Aviv flights in March or April 2025, now running around 14 flights per week.
- Delta Air Lines: Started again in April 2025 with around seven weekly flights.
It’s important to note that while El Al remains dominant, each new airline entering this route brings more seats and more choices for passengers. Some big American airlines—such as American Airlines—still have not resumed their Tel Aviv services and are not expected to return soon.
What This Means for Travelers
Most air travelers between Israel 🇮🇱 and the United States 🇺🇸 have been frustrated in recent months. During busy travel periods, there just haven’t been enough seats, and many had no choice but to pay high prices. At times, tickets for basic economy seats have spiked as high as $1,000 to $3,600, especially after October 7, 2023.
With Israir entering the market:
- More Availability: There will be more seats to meet demand, especially during busy periods like holidays and school breaks.
- Better Prices: More airlines fighting for your business often means ticket costs will come down, or at least stay more reasonable. The days of having just one or two options resulting in huge price spikes may soon be over.
- Stability: As some foreign airlines remain cautious about flying to Israel 🇮🇱, having three active Israeli airlines—including El Al, Arkia, and Israir—can keep service going even if international carriers make sudden schedule changes.
- Direct Service: Nonstop flights mean travelers avoid the hassle of long layovers and confusing connections. This can be especially important for older passengers, families with children, or anyone with a tight schedule or limited mobility.
For anyone who has struggled with both the cost and complexity of getting between Tel Aviv and New York, this is a change that brings hope for fairer pricing and better service going forward.
Fleet and Operational Readiness
Israir’s preparations are a huge part of making these flights a reality. Here’s what the airline must do before it can launch nonstop service:
- Aircraft Selection: They are planning to operate Airbus A330 planes for these long trips. The A330 is widely used for transatlantic flights because it can carry a lot of passengers over long distances without stopping.
- Dry Lease Approach: Israir will use a “dry lease,” which means they rent the plane itself but use their own flight crew and handle their own maintenance. This lets the airline keep both safety and service standards in their own hands.
- Clearances and Training: Since the FAA and TSA set some of the toughest airline rules in the world, Israir must prove they can operate safely, keep passengers secure, and react quickly if any issues arise. This can take months of work, including extra staff training and long lists of paperwork.
All these steps make sure that when Israir finally starts service, it will meet strict American rules and offer a safe, dependable option for travelers.
Recent History of Israel–U.S. Flight Connections
To put this decision in context, let’s look at why this route has seen so many changes in the past few years. Until recently, direct flights between Israel 🇮🇱 and the United States 🇺🇸 were limited mainly to those run by El Al. American airlines that once offered service paused or pulled out because of safety concerns during political and security events in the region.
For Israir, the journey back to the U.S. market comes after a long break. The airline stopped its U.S. flights in 2009 because of tough economic conditions that made it hard to compete. In the years that followed, the Tel Aviv–New York market only got busier, but most of the extra demand was met by El Al, Arkia, and, when possible, U.S. airlines.
Now, with security guidelines being slowly adjusted and more airlines willing to fly again, passengers are seeing their choices expand. This not only increases convenience but also keeps airline prices closer to what travelers in similar markets might expect.
People Who Benefit Most from the Change
While every traveler could see some upside from Israir’s entry, some groups may benefit more than others:
- Students: More affordable and reliable flights mean more Israeli students can study in the United States 🇺🇸 and return home for visits, and vice versa.
- Families: Lower prices and easier booking help families travel together, especially during holidays or family events.
- Business Travellers: Companies can better manage costs for employees who need to move between the two countries for work.
- Tourism Industry: When flights are reliable and well-priced, tourism in both directions can increase, helping hotels, restaurants, and other businesses.
What Happens Next
Getting federal approval from the Department of Transportation is a major milestone, but it’s only the beginning. Israir now faces a checklist of steps to move closer to actually flying passengers:
- Secure FAA and TSA Approvals: This means passing detailed inspections and safety checks.
- Lease Aircraft: Locking down the necessary long-haul jets and getting crews trained.
- Sales and Marketing: Announcing flight schedules, selling tickets, and getting the word out to travelers.
- First Flights: If all plans go well and there are no major delays, Israir hopes to be in the air for its Tel Aviv–New York service by Passover 2026 or possibly earlier.
These steps take time, but progress so far suggests Israir is on track.
For official updates and to track Israir’s final approval status or to learn more about U.S. government airline rules, travelers can visit the U.S. Department of Transportation’s official aviation licensing page.
Conclusion and What This Means for the Future
Israir’s federal approval to operate direct flights to New York represents a big step towards more competitive, affordable, and stable U.S.–Israel 🇮🇱 flight choices. As the airline moves through remaining safety checks and readies its fleet for launch, travelers can look forward to new options on this important route. With increased seat numbers and more price competition, air travel between Tel Aviv and New York may soon become more convenient and budget-friendly for all.
More details about this development, including regular updates and industry analysis, can be found at VisaVerge.com, a trusted source for news about air travel and global immigration.
Anyone planning a trip between Israel 🇮🇱 and the United States 🇺🇸 in the coming years should keep an eye on these changes—they promise to make flying easier, fairer, and more accessible for everyone. As Israir prepares to launch, expect further news about ticket sales and flight schedules, and hopefully, better travel experiences for people on both sides of the Atlantic.
Learn Today
Department of Transportation (DOT) → U.S. government office that grants approval for international airlines to operate flights to and from the United States.
Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) → Authority overseeing airline safety, requiring airlines to comply with strict operational, crew, and maintenance standards.
Transportation Security Administration (TSA) → U.S. agency setting security standards and regulations for airlines flying into or within the country.
Dry Lease → Aircraft leasing arrangement where an airline rents a plane but provides its own crew, maintenance, and insurance.
Airbus A330 → A wide-body, long-range passenger aircraft commonly used for transatlantic and international flights.
This Article in a Nutshell
Israir’s approval to launch direct Tel Aviv–New York flights ushers in long-awaited competition. With six weekly flights planned, travelers can expect lower fares and improved service. Final go-ahead depends on upcoming FAA and TSA checks. If completed swiftly, Israir may start flights as early as Passover 2026.
— By VisaVerge.com
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