Flights to New York: Four Airlines Return to the Route, But Prices Remain High

American Airlines, which was expected to return to Israel in January 2027, has updated its schedule again: the current target date for the return is March 27 of that year. The company's Tel Aviv-New York route has not been in regular operation since October 7, 2023.

However, barring any surprises, American carriers Delta (September 5) and United (September 7) are expected to return to Israel this September, having suspended flights following the "Lion's Roar" operation last March. Additionally, Israir is awaiting final approvals to launch its New York service using new Airbus A330 aircraft purchased for approximately $85 million.

Increased Supply and Price Volatility

This influx of carriers is expected to create a level of seat availability not seen in a long time. The flight index from travel-tech company lastminute.co.il indicates a significant improvement in the ability to secure last-minute tickets. While tourist class seats were sold out months in advance during the summer and holidays last year, travelers will find more options available this year.

Despite the improved availability, flights remain expensive. Pricing is highly volatile, with differences between airlines for the exact same dates reaching hundreds or even thousands of dollars. A check by lastminute.co.il shows that tourist class tickets on this route range from $1,460 to $3,046.

For instance, in early September, tickets are available on Arkia for $1,722, Delta for $2,176, and El Al for $2,186. During Rosh Hashanah, prices drop slightly for Israeli carriers, with Arkia at $1,460 and El Al at $1,722, while Delta remains at $2,134. Delta is only cheaper around Yom Kippur, when Israeli carriers charge around $3,000 compared to Delta's $2,500.

Business Class Shortages

While the bottleneck in tourist class is easing, business class inventory remains extremely limited. This shortage of premium seats causes sharp price spikes. In early September, the cheapest business class ticket is $5,741 on Arkia, while the most expensive is $7,365 on El Al. Prices peak around Yom Kippur, ranging from $6,122 on Arkia to a high of $9,994 on United.

Despite the increased supply, demand for New York during the holiday season has actually declined. The share of demand for New York out of total holiday flight demand dropped from 2.4% in 2025 to 2% this year. Nevertheless, planned departures for September are about 29% higher than in August.

"After a long period of limited availability on the New York route, we are seeing an improvement in tourist class, but the market is far from returning to normal," says Asaf Greenberg, VP of Marketing at lastminute.co.il. "Price gaps reach thousands of dollars in business class, making flexibility and real-time comparison essential. A small change in departure date can dramatically alter the total trip cost."

By September, approximately 2.6 million passengers are expected to pass through Ben Gurion Airport during August 2026. Throughout the month, 47 airlines will operate at the airport, with Greece, Cyprus, Italy, the UAE, the USA, and Germany being the most requested destinations.