United Airlines is expanding its U.S.-Israel route network once again. After suspending service in recent years, the carrier has announced plans to resume nonstop flights from both Washington-Dulles and Chicago-O’Hare to Tel Aviv beginning in summer 2026. This development comes alongside the continuation of its existing New York–Tel Aviv route, reestablishing a broader presence in the transatlantic leisure and business travel market.
Reconnecting Key Hubs: Service Details and Market Direction
The return of service from Washington, D.C., and Chicago means United will operate nonstop flights from three major U.S. gateways into Israel. These are strategic hubs – one political and one business-centric – providing enhanced connectivity for both corporate travelers and vacationers. The resumption likely reflects stable demand for travel between the U.S. and Israel, a region where pent-up post-pandemic demand remains high for family visits, tourism, and international business.
While United has not released a full schedule yet, the routes are expected to align with summer travel demand. With continuous operations from New York in place, the added services from Washington and Chicago will offer travelers more routing options, better flight timing flexibility, and amplified loyalty incentives. For example, passengers based in the Midwest or the capital region will no longer need to connect through other U.S. cities to reach Tel Aviv.
This expansion also positions United to capture a growing share of Israel-bound traffic in a market where other U.S. airlines still limit operations mainly to their New York hubs. The move gives United advantages in alliance partnerships for seamless onward connections and differentiation via nonstop transatlantic service.
Broader Impacts for U.S.–Israel Travel Landscape
For travelers, this announcement brings good news: more choice, better schedules, and potentially competitive pricing as capacity rises across the sector. It’s also a vote of confidence in the health of international routes that had been cut or suspended in recent years. The added routes could encourage stronger tourist flows, enable smoother family connections, and expand trade activity.
Carriers like El Al and Delta remain competitive in this corridor, but United’s broader U.S. presence and alliance network may prove decisive in attracting traffic. For instance, travelers from metropolitan areas like Washington, D.C., and Chicago can now choose direct service instead of longer connecting itineraries, saving both time and travel complexity.
This restoration of service also signals a broader industry adjustment – airlines are strategically restoring global capacity centered on market demand and passenger behavior. United’s announcement may prompt other carriers to revisit their offerings, especially as global travel continues to rebound.
Ultimately, the reintroduction of United’s Chicago and Washington routes to Tel Aviv in 2026 highlights renewed confidence in Middle East connectivity, offering more seamless experiences for business, leisure, and diaspora travelers alike.