United Airlines Restores Flights to Tel Aviv From Chicago and Washington
Carrier says move reflects security assessments and demand after earlier suspensions following the Oct. 7, 2023 attacks
United Airlines will resume nonstop flights to Tel Aviv from Chicago O’Hare International Airport and Washington Dulles International Airport, the carrier said in an announcement Thursday, marking the first time those routes have operated since the Oct. 7, 2023, terror attack in Israel.
“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. United said the decision followed detailed assessments of operational, safety and security considerations.
United has already flown to Tel Aviv more frequently this year than any other U.S. carrier, according to the airline. Two daily Tel Aviv-bound flights from the New York and Newark area resumed in July, and the addition of departures from Chicago and Washington expands the carrier’s U.S.-Israel network.
Following the Oct. 7 attacks and the subsequent escalation in the region, major U.S. carriers suspended many flights to and from Israel as airlines reassessed operational risks and government travel guidance. Over the past year, carriers have incrementally restored service to meet passenger demand while continuing to monitor safety and security conditions.
United framed the latest route reinstatements as part of broader network planning and alliance considerations. Restoring service to large connecting hubs such as Chicago and Washington increases direct access for business travelers, visiting family, and others flying between the U.S. Midwest, the nation’s capital region and Israel, the airline said.
Industry analysts say the pace and scope of route resumptions are shaped by several factors, including demand from the U.S. Jewish community and business travelers, the availability of overflight rights, and airline confidence in ground operations at origin and destination airports. United’s network moves will also affect competition among U.S. carriers serving the transatlantic and transcontinental markets.
United did not disclose a specific launch date for the Chicago and Washington flights in its announcement, only that service will resume after completing its internal operational and security reviews. The carrier reiterated that ongoing assessments guide any changes to schedules and routes into and out of the region.
The resumption of these flights represents another step toward rebuilding direct U.S.-Israel air links that were sharply curtailed after the violence began. Airlines and passengers continue to weigh travel needs against evolving security advisories as carriers restore connectivity gradually and in coordination with government and airport authorities.
