By: Andrew Carlson

United Airlines announced on Thursday that it will resume direct service to Tel Aviv, Israel from two of the United States’ major international gateways — Chicago O’Hare and Washington Dulles — marking the first time the airline has operated these routes since 2023.

The decision represents a significant step in United’s broader strategy to maintain its position as the leading U.S. carrier serving Israel, despite the complex operational environment that has affected air travel to the region in recent years.

Beginning November 1, flights from Chicago O’Hare will operate four times per week, while service from Washington Dulles will commence November 2, with three weekly flights. Together with its twice-daily Newark–Tel Aviv service, the expansion will cement United’s role as the only American airline connecting Tel Aviv with both Chicago and the U.S. capital, while continuing to offer more flights to Israel than any of its competitors.

“The resumption of these flights underscores United’s longstanding commitment to Tel Aviv,” said Patrick Quayle, United’s senior vice president of Global Network Planning and Alliances, in a statement accompanying the announcement.

The move is more than a commercial calculation. United’s Israel routes have long been regarded as emblematic of the airline’s broader global network strategy, connecting major American population centers — including large Jewish and Israeli-American communities — with Israel’s central hub.

In restoring the Chicago and Washington routes, United is signaling confidence both in demand for travel to Israel and in the feasibility of maintaining operations following extensive security assessments. As the airline made clear, resuming service always follows a “detailed assessment of operational, safety, and security considerations in the region.”

United currently operates twice daily flights between Tel Aviv and Newark/New York, a route that has consistently ranked among its strongest transatlantic offerings. According to United, the airline has flown to Tel Aviv more this year than any other U.S. carrier, highlighting both sustained demand and the company’s determination to dominate this highly competitive long-haul market.

With the addition of Chicago and Washington, United will extend its reach into two critical travel markets: Chicago O’Hare, a key domestic and international hub with deep connectivity across the U.S. Midwest and beyond and Washington Dulles, the primary international airport serving the U.S. capital, positioning United as the only airline offering direct service from Washington to Tel Aviv.

Both routes cater not only to business travelers and tourists but also to the robust network of governmental, diplomatic, and academic exchanges between the United States and Israel.

Air travel to Israel has not been straightforward. Regional tensions, particularly since the events of October 2023, have required airlines to weigh commercial opportunity against security risks. Many international carriers suspended or reduced their Tel Aviv service during periods of heightened instability, with only a handful resuming full schedules in the months that followed.

United’s willingness to move forward with its Chicago and Washington flights reflects both the results of its internal risk assessments and the importance of maintaining uninterrupted ties with Israel. For passengers — from American Jewish communities traveling for family or religious reasons to Israeli professionals with deep links to U.S. technology and business centers — the flights represent stability and accessibility in a sometimes uncertain geopolitical context.

While Delta Air Lines and American Airlines have both served Tel Aviv routes in the past, neither has matched United’s scale. Delta currently operates from New York’s JFK Airport, while American has scaled back its presence following earlier suspensions. United’s decision to expand while its competitors proceed cautiously underscores its ambition to solidify long-term dominance in this high-demand transatlantic market.

The move also comes as Middle Eastern carriers such as El Al, Emirates, and Turkish Airlines continue to offer strong alternatives, with extensive global networks feeding into Tel Aviv. United’s network advantage lies in its ability to connect travelers seamlessly from cities across North America through its U.S. hubs.

United has in recent years pursued a strategy of expanding long-haul international routes, particularly across the Atlantic. The airline has launched new services to destinations in Africa, India, and Europe, seeking to position itself as the most globally connected U.S. carrier. Tel Aviv has consistently been a centerpiece of this strategy.

The Chicago and Washington resumptions reflect United’s confidence that Tel Aviv will remain a cornerstone of its transatlantic portfolio, even as global travel markets face cyclical challenges.

For travelers, the resumption of these routes offers greater flexibility, connectivity, and convenience. With Chicago flights launching November 1 and Washington flights following on November 2, bookings are already available through United’s website.

Beyond the immediate commercial implications, the announcement carries symbolic weight: it affirms that U.S.–Israel air links remain robust, resilient, and strategically significant, even amid the uncertainties of international travel and shifting geopolitical dynamics.

As Quayle emphasized, United’s commitment to Tel Aviv is longstanding. Restoring Chicago and Washington flights not only reestablishes connectivity but also reinforces the airline’s role as a bridge between two nations bound by deep cultural, political, and economic ties.