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.
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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.
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| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
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There’s a lot to love about the Amex Gold. It’s a fan favorite thanks to its fantastic bonus-earning rates at restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets. If you’re hitting the skies soon, you’ll also earn bonus Membership Rewards points on travel. Paired with up to $120 in Uber Cash annually (for U.S. Uber rides or Uber Eats orders, card must be added to Uber app and you can redeem with any Amex card), up to $120 in annual dining statement credits to be used with eligible partners, an up to $84 Dunkin’ credit each year at U.S. Dunkin Donuts and an up to $100 Resy credit annually, there’s no reason that foodies shouldn’t add the Amex Gold to their wallet. These benefits alone are worth more than $400, which offsets the $325 annual fee on the Amex Gold card. Enrollment is required for select benefits. (Partner offer)Pros
- 4 points per dollar spent on dining at restaurants worldwide and U.S. supermarkets (on the first $50,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter and $25,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter, respectively)
- 3 points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with the airline or with amextravel.com
- Packed with credits foodies will enjoy
- Solid welcome bonus
Cons
- Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
- Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
- You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
- $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
- $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
- $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings, sweet or savory, with the $120 Dining Credit. Earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys. Enrollment required.
- Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges* with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. *Eligible charges vary by property.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Annual Fee is $325.
- Terms Apply.