Airlines Resuming Flights to Israel as Iran Tensions Ease

After disruptions from Iranian missile threats, major carriers plan to restore regular service to Tel Aviv in coming months.

Apr. 15, 2026 at 11:20pm

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A bold, geometric illustration in the Art Deco style, featuring sweeping gradients and towering architectural forms, conceptually representing the challenges of international travel amid regional tensions.As tensions over regional conflicts disrupt air travel to Israel, the grand scale and romance of international journeys remains elusive for many.NYC Today

The young men and women who struggled to find flights back to New York from Israel before Passover are hopeful that the new reality with Iran and the tough stance of President Trump will allow them to return to their yeshivas and seminaries with fewer complications. Airlines like El Al, Delta, United, American, Air France, Lufthansa, and Swiss Air are planning to resume regular daily service to Tel Aviv in the coming months as the threat of Iranian missile attacks has subsided for now.

Why it matters

The unpredictable flight schedule to and from Israel has caused major disruptions for the Jewish community, especially students and families who travel there regularly. The threat of Iranian missile attacks on Israel has made travel to the country risky, but the easing of tensions could allow flights and tourism to return to normal levels.

The details

Over the last two months, travelers to Israel have had to deal with the threat of "radical, deranged people" like the "crazed Mullahs and Ayatollahs in Iran" who are "actively paving the way for their 'global Islamic rule' by inflicting terror on their enemies." This has led to a chaotic flight schedule, with El Al either announcing more flights or halting service altogether. However, major airlines like Delta, United, American, Air France, Lufthansa, and Swiss Air are now planning to resume regular daily service to Tel Aviv in the coming months, with American planning to restart flights in July and the others in May or September.

  • Over the last two months, travelers to Israel have faced disruptions.
  • American Airlines plans to resume flights to Israel in July 2026.
  • Air France resumed flights to Israel this week.
  • Lufthansa and Swiss Air plan to resume flights to Israel at the end of May 2026.
  • Delta and United are planning to resume flights to Israel in September 2026.

The players

El Al

Israel's primary airline carrier, which has been announcing both increases and decreases in flights between New York and Tel Aviv.

President Trump

The former U.S. president whose tough stance on Iran is credited with helping ease tensions and allow flights to Israel to resume.

Musa al-Sadr

A Shia spiritual leader in Lebanon who disappeared in 1978 and is believed by some radical Muslims to be the Twelfth Imam who will reappear at the end of time, fueling Iran's attacks on other Islamic countries.

Hezbollah

An Iranian-backed militant group in Lebanon that has launched missile attacks on Israel, disrupting travel to the country.

Houthis

An Iranian-backed rebel group in Yemen that has also launched missile attacks on Israel, further disrupting travel.

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What they’re saying

“This bubbe meise doesn't go that far back as this Twelfth Imam disappeared in Lebanon in 1978. He's known as Musa al-Sadr, the spiritual leader of a Shia sect of Muslims, whom many radical Muslims believe will reappear at the end of time.”

— Larry Gordon, Author

“These awful people know how important Israel is to the worldwide Jewish community. They love interfering with our comings and goings.”

— Larry Gordon, Author

What’s next

As tensions with Iran continue to ease, more airlines are expected to announce the resumption of regular flights to Israel in the coming months, providing relief to the Jewish community that relies on consistent travel to and from the country.

The takeaway

The disruptions to flights to and from Israel caused by Iranian missile threats have been a major challenge for the Jewish community, but the easing of tensions and the planned resumption of regular service by major airlines signals a return to normalcy that will be welcomed by travelers.