From Chicago, the carrier will operate four weekly round-trip flights, while Washington will see three weekly flights, restoring the same schedule that was in place before service was suspended on October 7, 2023. Tickets go on sale tonight.

Patrick Quayle, a senior executive at United, said the resumption of service underscores the airline's long-standing commitment to Tel Aviv.

The fate of the San Francisco–Tel Aviv route, which previously had daily Boeing 777 flights until October 7, remains unclear.

United is also expanding its kosher meal options, adding fresh kosher meals on long-haul flights from Chicago and considering introducing kosher food at its Polaris lounge at O'Hare International Airport, a potential added draw for the route.

Schedules are as follows:

• Chicago (ORD) – Tel Aviv: Service resumes November 1, operating Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays on a Boeing 787-8 as United Flight 140. Departure from Chicago at 9:40 p.m., arriving in Tel Aviv at 4:05 p.m. the following day.

• Tel Aviv – Chicago: Service resumes November 3, operating the same days as United Flight 141. Departure from Tel Aviv at 12:20 a.m., arriving in Chicago at 5:10 a.m. the same day.

• Washington, DC (IAD) – Tel Aviv: Service resumes November 2, operating Sundays, Wednesdays and Fridays on a Boeing 787-8 as United Flight 72. Departure from Washington at 10:40 p.m., arriving in Tel Aviv at 4:30 p.m. the following day.

• Tel Aviv – Washington, DC: Service resumes November 5, operating the same days as United Flight 73. Departure from Tel Aviv at 12:20 a.m., arriving in Washington at 5:55 a.m. the same day.

United has scheduled these flights in the evening, a time most passengers prefer for travel to and from the Middle East. By contrast, Delta's only current offering is a midday flight from New York's JFK to Tel Aviv with a morning return from Tel Aviv.

Together with its two daily flights from Newark operated by Boeing 787-10s, United will soon operate 21 weekly round-trip flights between the US and Israel. That marks an increase from the current 14 flights but still fewer than the 28 flights it offered before October 7.

In the longer term, the added service is expected to help bring down ticket prices for travel between Israel and the US, which have remained especially high since October 7 as demand continues to far exceed supply.

The post United Airlines to resume flights from Chicago and Washington to Tel Aviv appeared first on www.israelhayom.com.

Corporate earnings releases drove much of the market enthusiasm, with several major companies delivering results that surpassed analyst expectations. PepsiCo shares jumped more than 5% following better-than-expected earnings, while United Airlines gained 6% after the carrier beat earnings estimates, CNBC reported. The strong performance from these companies reflected broader trends in the current earnings season.

Quarterly earnings reports released during the week have consistently exceeded Wall Street's projections, fueling sustained investor confidence across multiple sectors. Approximately 50 S&P 500 components have reported their results thus far, with an impressive 88% of those companies exceeding analysts' expectations, according to FactSet data cited by CNBC. This performance has provided substantial support for the ongoing market rally.

Economic data releases on Thursday further reinforced positive sentiment about the US economy's underlying strength. The Labor Department reported that jobless claims for the week ending July 12 totaled 221,000, representing a decrease of 7,000 from the previous week, CNBC reported. This decline in unemployment claims suggested continued stability in the labor market.

Retail sales data provided additional encouragement for market participants, with June figures rising more than economists had anticipated. The US Census Bureau reported that retail sales increased 0.6% from May, significantly beating the 0.2% estimate from the Dow Jones consensus, according to CNBC. This robust consumer spending data reinforced confidence in the economy's consumer-driven growth.

"A reassuring retail sales result comes at the perfect time as earnings season kicks into gear," Bret Kenwell, eToro US investment analyst, told CNBC. "If earnings are more upbeat than expected and if management continues to tell a reassuring story about consumer spending, stocks could react favorably – even after a rally to record highs that some investors may view as overextended. At the end of the day, consumers are the backbone of the US economy."

Market volatility emerged from political developments affecting Federal Reserve leadership, creating temporary uncertainty among investors. Wall Street experienced a volatile trading session after President Donald Trump denied planning to fire Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell from his position as Fed chief, CNBC reported. The political drama surrounding monetary policy leadership briefly disrupted market momentum.

Wednesday's trading session saw significant fluctuations after a White House official indicated that Trump "likely will soon" fire Powell from his post, according to CNBC. Equities initially declined on these reports but subsequently rebounded after Trump downplayed the speculation and stated he was "not planning on doing it," though he added that he does not "rule out anything."

The week's overall market performance has shown resilience despite the Federal Reserve leadership uncertainty. The S&P 500 is trading higher by 0.6% for the week, while the 30-stock Dow has gained 0.3%, CNBC reported. The Nasdaq has demonstrated particularly strong performance, jumping 1.5% for the week as technology stocks continued their upward trajectory.

The post Dow climbs 229 points as robust earnings and economic data fuel investor optimism appeared first on www.israelhayom.com.

The airline is now organizing to launch the route, a process that could require many months of preparation, making a 2025 debut unlikely. Transportation and Road Safety Minister Miri Regev announced Wednesday that Israir had obtained the license for New York service, establishing the company as the third Israeli airline with direct US operations.

"This represents a significant step toward enhancing competition, reducing fares, elevating service standards and broadening travel alternatives for passengers. Following United Airlines' return to Israel service, we continue efforts to restore Delta operations – the air bridge connecting Israel and America continues strengthening, with five carriers set to operate between both nations," Regev stated.

The post Start spreading the news: 3rd Israeli airline to fly to NYC appeared first on www.israelhayom.com.

Delta Airlines is set to resume its operations to Israel tomorrow (Tuesday), with the first flight scheduled to land in the country on Wednesday morning. The American carrier will operate daily flights on the New York-Tel Aviv route.

The airline will use the Airbus A330-900neo aircraft for these direct flights, providing approximately 2,000 seats weekly according to company announcements.

Delta becomes the second American airline to return to Israel, following United Airlines which resumed operations about two weeks ago. United has since doubled its service and now operates two daily flights to Israel. Following Delta's anticipated return, four airlines will be offering direct flights between New York and Tel Aviv: El Al, Arkia, United, and Delta.

Israir has also applied to operate direct flights to New York beginning in July, though the carrier has not yet officially announced the launch of this route and is still awaiting completion of all necessary approvals and procedures.

The post Delta to resume flights to Israel Tuesday appeared first on www.israelhayom.com.

United Airlines has recommenced ticket sales for flights to Israel through its official website, marking a significant step in the restoration of international air travel to the region. The airline's website indicates that service will resume on March 15 with flights between New York and Tel Aviv, operated by the carrier's Boeing Dreamliner aircraft.

Round-trip tickets for the inaugural flight are currently priced at just under $1,277. Assuming the schedule remains unchanged and United's planned flights proceed, the airline will beat Delta Air Lines in returning to the Israeli market, as Delta has announced an April 1 resumption date. El Al Airlines maintains its presence on this route, while Arkia Airlines is set to launch its direct New York service this coming Saturday.

The post United Airlines resumes Israel operations appeared first on www.israelhayom.com.

In a significant development for US-Israel air travel, Israel's Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) has initiated talks with US regulators to enable Israir Airlines to operate direct flights to New York. The airline is simultaneously exploring options to wet-lease two wide-body aircraft for these operations, though the approval process could take several months. The carrier aims to launch direct service between Tel Aviv and Newark during the upcoming winter season.

The airline faces several hurdles before finalizing these plans. The lease agreement remains unsigned, and multiple complex conditions must be satisfied, including securing necessary US regulatory approvals and addressing challenges related to Israel's aviation services law regarding Israir's proposed expansion.

Under the proposed wet-lease structure, Israir would utilize aircraft and crews from a foreign carrier while operating flights under its own designation. Though negotiations continue, Israel's Transportation Ministry has granted preliminary approval from the Israeli perspective, marking an initial step in the complex process of establishing direct US routes.

The CAA has commenced discussions with US authorities to secure necessary approvals – a process that typically spans three months under normal circumstances. Officials are working to expedite these procedures, seeking rapid clearance for security requirements, landing slots, and other essential permits. This represents the beginning of an intricate process requiring multiple regulatory approvals and successful lease negotiations, suggesting a potentially extended timeline before implementation.

In the current landscape, El Al is the sole carrier maintaining direct New York service following the withdrawal of US airlines from the Israeli market. American Airlines suspended its Israel routes through September 2025, while United Airlines indefinitely halted services, and Delta suspended operations through March 2025.

Transportation Minister Miri Regev endorsed the initiative: "I thank the CAA for their thorough work that enables significant relief in the flight crisis created due to the war. Israeli companies are demonstrating national responsibility in their mobilization during this challenging period. I commend Rami Levy and Israir Airlines for their initiative to operate a New York route, a step that will contribute to healthy competition, expanded options for the public, and lower flight prices."

The post Israir to operate direct flights to NY, end El Al monopoly appeared first on www.israelhayom.com.

A controversial surprise on a United flight: An Israeli passenger boarding a United Airlines flight from New York to Athens with his family was taken aback when he noticed that the flight attendants at both the check-in counter and on the plane were wearing a pin featuring the Palestinian flag.

"My son said, 'Dad, look, that's the flag!' I looked and was shocked. A United Airlines ground attendant was wearing such a flag. We tried to take a picture, but she noticed, and we didn't want to make a scene. We finished the check-in and headed to the gate."

"During the flight, I asked a flight attendant for assistance. She was very nice, and suddenly I noticed she was wearing the flag. I couldn't believe it. She helped me, I thanked her, she said, 'You're welcome,' but how can things like this be allowed?"

United Airlines' response will be provided once received.

The post United flight attendants caught wearing a Palestinian flag pin appeared first on www.israelhayom.com.

Democratic Congressman Ritchie Torres has dispatched an unusual letter to American airline companies, calling for the resumption of flights to Israel.

"I am deeply concerned about the halt in air travel between the United States and Israel," Torres began. "The suspension has been so prolonged and so pervasive that El Al, an Israeli airline, has become the sole carrier offering direct flights from America to Israel. The lack of competition has made air travel to Israel less available and less affordable, putting customers at the mercy of a de facto monopoly that can easily gouge prices with impunity."

Torres then hinted at a possible boycott by some carriers: "Airlines should be prohibited from effectively boycotting or otherwise discriminating against the world's only Jewish State. It is one thing to temporarily suspend air travel to Israel on security grounds as defined by the FAA, but to unilaterally suspend air travel indefinitely until mid-2025, as American Airlines has done, has the practical effect of a boycott," he wrote.

"Given the arbitrary length of the suspension, one could be forgiven for thinking that the BDS movement had taken over the American aviation industry without anyone noticing, much less crying foul. By what logic and in what universe is it safe for El Al to travel to Israel but too dangerous for American Airlines, Delta, and United to do so?"

He further pointed out that "UAE airlines like Etihad, FlyDubai, and Wizz Air Abu Dhabi continue to fly to Israel without incident."

The post Are US airlines boycotting Israel? Lawmaker lashes out appeared first on www.israelhayom.com.

Two American airlines, United and Delta, have announced the cancellation of flights to Israel for the coming days. They are the only airlines, apart from El Al, that operate direct flights to the United States. At this time, it is unclear when these airlines will resume operations in Israel. Travelers are advised to check with their respective airlines for updates on the continuation of flights.

Additionally, other airlines are currently assessing the possibility of canceling their flights to Israel.

German airline Lufthansa has announced that some of its flights will make stops in Cyprus to change crews, a known procedure also adopted by British Airways and the Dutch airline KLM to avoid crew layovers in Israel during the the Gaza war.

All flights from the Lufthansa Group to Israel are continuing as usual. However, Austrian Airlines has announced adjustments to its schedule, and passengers are advised to check with the airline if they are scheduled to fly in the coming days. Swiss, Brussels Airlines, and Eurowings continue to operate without changes.

Meanwhile, the U.S. State Department has raised the travel advisory level for its citizens regarding Lebanon. In its statement, the American Embassy in Lebanon urged American citizens not to travel to the country and, if already there, to prepare for possible escalation and find shelter. Specifically, regarding the southern region, the directive was even more severe and explicit: Leave the area.

Earlier this week, the embassy called on American citizens to register with the embassy in anticipation of a possible evacuation. The embassy urged its citizens to leave the country while commercial flights are still available.

The post United, Delta cancelling flights to Israel appeared first on www.israelhayom.com.

Unexpected landings can occur from time to time. In most cases, the cause that lead to such landings may be passengers that feell unwell, technical issues, and other similar reasons. However, yesterday, an especially unusual incident occurred.

United Airlines Flight 2477 was forced to make an emergency landing in Washington due to a "biological hazard," as declared by the pilot. According to the report, passengers and crew members were vomiting in the cabin, creating a strong odor and a health risk for the other passengers.

The pilot reported to the control tower: "I spoke with the doctor and the crew, and it sounds really bad back there. The entire crew is vomiting, and the passengers are asking for masks. I believe that landing in Cleveland in twenty minutes is a better option than a one-hour and 40-minute flight to Washington."

The flight, which was originally supposed to travel from Houston to Boston, was forced to land in Washington due to the unusual vomiting incident in the passenger cabin. According to the report and the pilot's decision, this constituted a biological hazard.

According to the New York Post, the situation on the plane was so severe that after one passenger started vomiting, other passengers and crew members also felt nauseous and reacted similarly, cascading into a hazardous situation in the cabin.

United Airlines told the British Daily Mail that the plane underwent a deep cleaning and would return to service. None of the 155 passengers required medical treatment following the unexpected landing in Washington.

The post United flight made an emergency landing due to biological hazard appeared first on www.israelhayom.com.