American Airlines has officially extended the suspension of its New York JFK to Tel Aviv route until January 6, 2027, marking one of the longest service interruptions among major US carriers operating to Israel. By the time flights resume, the airline will have remained absent from the Israeli market for more than three years following the October 2023 Hamas attack on Israel.
The carrier had initially planned to restart the JFK–Tel Aviv service on March 28, 2026, using a Boeing 777-200 operating as flight AA-18. The flight number reportedly carried symbolic significance, as the number 18 is associated with the Hebrew word “chai,” meaning “life.” However, the airline was forced to delay its comeback plans after renewed regional conflict and escalating security concerns disrupted aviation operations across the Middle East.
The latest extension comes amid the ongoing US-Israeli military campaign against Iran, which began earlier in 2026. Retaliatory missile and drone strikes targeting Israel, US military bases, and energy infrastructure in Saudi Arabia and Qatar have significantly complicated commercial flight planning and airspace safety for international airlines operating in the region.
Other major US carriers have also temporarily suspended their Israel operations, though for shorter durations. United Airlines has paused Tel Aviv and Dubai flights through September 7, 2026, while Delta Air Lines plans to resume JFK–Tel Aviv service on September 6 and Atlanta–Tel Aviv flights on November 30. For now, Israeli carriers El Al and Arkia remain the only airlines providing direct connections between the United States and Israel.
