Why United's plan to fly 23 weekly flights to Israel isn't as surprising as it seems
Let's face it. Now isn't necessarily the time for airlines to be expanding their networks.
As we've heard time and again from aviation executives, most carriers are going to come out of the pandemic much leaner — with a more streamlined fleet, smaller workforce and fewer routes.
Yet United's latest route announcement on July 7 bucks that trend. Interestingly, the Chicago-based carrier announced a new route starting in September between Chicago O'Hare (ORD) and Tel Aviv (TLV). This joins other route resumptions to Israel from Washingon Dulles (IAD) and San Francisco (SFO), as well as the addition of more frequencies on the Newark (EWR) route.
But here's the thing. On the surface, it might be surprising that United is expanding its international network to Tel Aviv. Really, though, this is just UA's latest move to assert its dominance as the number one carrier between the U.S. and Israel.
Sign up for the free daily TPG newsletter for more airline news!
[table-of-contents /]
United's Israel routes are strong performers
Throughout the pandemic, airlines have slashed their schedules, keeping only the most profitable and lucrative routes. Though United pulled most of its international flying, it maintained a once-daily nonstop service from Newark to Tel Aviv, in addition to some cargo-only flights from SFO.
It's clear that United was only going to keep routes that were successful, and it's no surprise that Tel Aviv service endured the cuts.
This follows years of expansion in the Tel Aviv market. In addition to twice-daily service from its Newark hub, United launched thrice-weekly San Francisco to Tel Aviv flights in March 2016. United clearly realized that the flights were profitable and quickly upgraded to daily service later that same year. (The carrier also upgauged the aircraft from a Boeing 787-9 to a brand-new Boeing 777-300ER.)
Then last year, United started serving Tel Aviv from the nation's capital. The Washington-Dulles flight was the carrier's fourth route to the country.
And though United is taking a measured approach to restoring flights, Israel is a clear winner. By the end of October, the current schedule includes 23 weekly flights to Israel as confirmed by a UA spokesperson.
The carrier will restore all previous routes (EWR twice daily, IAD and SFO three times weekly) plus the three new weekly flights from Chicago. (Of course, the plan is still subject to change.)
Competition is drying up
This comes at a time when United is clearly trying to become your chosen carrier to Israel. After all, there's not much competition left in the short term.
Until further notice, El Al, the flag carrier of Israel, is grounded. It had all but suspended service through the end of July, but it still planned to operate a few special passenger and cargo flights this month. Then talks between management and the pilots' union stalled, and now all flights are suspended.
Pre-pandemic, El Al had planned (and started) expanding across the U.S with flights to Orlando, Las Vegas and Chicago, among others. But now that the carrier is grounded (and the launch of Chicago service is postponed indefinitely), United's picking up the slack.
A similar story could be told about American Airlines' return to Israel. AA was slated to start Tel Aviv service in September from its fortress hub in Dallas-Fort Worth (DFW), but that route's now been postponed to winter 2021.
With much less competition to Israel from America (just a single daily Delta flight from JFK), United clearly thinks that now's a good time to bolster its position as the top U.S. carrier serving Israel.
Service improvements make United carrier of choice
United hasn't just invested in offering many route options to Israel. It has also doubled down on providing its best onboard experience for TLV flyers.
Recently, the carrier improved its kosher food offering specifically for its Tel Aviv flights. In February, UA debuted entirely new Fresko meals on flights departing Newark. Additionally, Polaris passengers on all TLV routes started being served Herzog Lineage wines.
This is in addition to new inflight snack baskets with more kosher options, as well as a hot kosher a-la-carte meal at the Newark Polaris Lounge (and packaged kosher snacks at United Clubs at Newark and LaGuardia.)
Aside from the food and beverage service, Tel Aviv was one of the first United destinations to exclusively feature the carrier's flagship Polaris business class and Premium Plus product.
United's premium offerings to Tel Aviv are much better than Delta's reverse herringbone product on the Airbus A330 and a touch more refined than El Al's new Boeing 787 Dreamliners.
From a passenger-experience perspective, flyers at the pointy end of the plane have a plethora of reasons to choose United.
Bottom line
United's latest route announcement might've caught some people by surprise. But the new Chicago to Tel Aviv route makes a lot of sense, even if it's being launched during a pandemic.
UA has clearly been successful in Tel Aviv, and now there's even less competition in the short term. Coupled with the passenger-experience improvements United has made specifically for TLV flights, the new Chicago route may well prove to be successful.
TPG featured card
at American Express's secure site
Terms & restrictions apply. See rates & fees.
| 3X | Earn 3X Miles on Delta purchases. |
| 1X | Earn 1X Miles on all other eligible purchases. |
Pros
- Delta SkyClub access when flying Delta
- Annual companion ticket for travel on Delta (upon renewal)
- Ability to earn MQDs through spending
- Various statement credits for eligible purchases
Cons
- Steep annual fee of $650
- Other Delta cobranded cards offer superior earning categories
- Earn 100,000 Bonus Miles after you spend $6,000 or more in purchases with your new Card within the first 6 months of Card Membership and an additional 25,000 bonus miles after you make an additional $3,000 in purchases on the Card within your first 6 months, starting from the date that your account is opened. Offer Ends 04/01/2026.
- Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card Members receive 15 Visits per Medallion® Year to the Delta Sky Club® when flying Delta and can unlock an unlimited number of Visits after spending $75,000 in purchases on your Card in a calendar year. Plus, you’ll receive four One-Time Guest Passes each Medallion Year so you can share the experience with family and friends when traveling Delta together.
- Enjoy complimentary access to The Centurion® Lounge in the U.S. and select international locations (as set forth on the Centurion Lounge Website), Sidecar by The Centurion® Lounge in the U.S. (see the Centurion Lounge Website for more information on Sidecar by The Centurion® Lounge availability), and Escape Lounges when flying on a Delta flight booked with the Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card. § To access Sidecar by The Centurion® Lounge, Card Members must arrive within 90 minutes of their departing flight (including layovers). To access The Centurion® Lounge, Card Members must arrive within 3 hours of their departing flight. Effective July 8, 2026, during a layover, Card Members must arrive within 5 hours of the connecting flight.
- Receive $2,500 Medallion® Qualification Dollars with MQD Headstart each Medallion Qualification Year and earn $1 MQD for each $10 in purchases on your Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card with MQD Boost to get closer to Status next Medallion Year.
- Enjoy a Companion Certificate on a Delta First, Delta Comfort, or Delta Main round-trip flight to select destinations each year after renewal of your Card. The Companion Certificate requires payment of government-imposed taxes and fees of between $22 and $250 (for itineraries with up to four flight segments). Baggage charges and other restrictions apply. Delta Basic experiences are not eligible for this benefit.
- $240 Resy Credit: When you use your Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card for eligible purchases with U.S. Resy restaurants, you can earn up to $20 each month in statement credits. Enrollment required.
- $120 Rideshare Credit: Earn up to $10 back in statement credits each month after you use your Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card to pay for U.S. rideshare purchases with select providers. Enrollment required.
- Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card Members get 15% off when using miles to book Award Travel on Delta flights through delta.com and the Fly Delta app. Discount not applicable to partner-operated flights or to taxes and fees.
- With your Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card, receive upgrade priority over others with the same Medallion tier, product and fare experience purchased, and Million Miler milestone when you fly with Delta.
- Earn 3X Miles on Delta purchases and earn 1X Miles on all other eligible purchases.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees. Enjoy international travel without additional fees on purchases made abroad.
- $650 Annual Fee.
- Apply with confidence. Know if you're approved for a Card with no impact to your credit score. If you're approved and you choose to accept this Card, your credit score may be impacted.
- Terms Apply.
- See Rates & Fees