The return of direct travel to Israel from San Francisco, a boon to the Bay Area’s large Israeli expat community and other frequent flyers, is still months away.
United Airlines announced Wednesday that the route “will be evaluated for resumption beginning in the fall.” Since 2016, it had been the only U.S. carrier to fly nonstop between Tel Aviv and San Francisco.
The update comes along with United’s announcement that it plans to resume daily nonstop flights to Ben Gurion Airport from Newark Liberty International Airport in New Jersey.
“United conducted a detailed safety analysis in making this decision, including close work with security experts and government officials in the United States and Israel,” the company said in a press release.
United and other airlines halted flights to Israel after the Oct. 7 Hamas terror attack.
El Al, Israel’s national carrier, flies nonstop between Tel Aviv and both New York and Los Angeles — but not San Francisco.
United was the largest U.S. carrier serving Israel. Other major airlines that also flew to Israel, such as Delta and American Airlines, have not yet resumed nonstop routes. United said it will re-evaluate nonstop flights this fall, not only from San Francisco but also from Washington Dulles and Chicago O’Hare airports.
“Last year I indicated we’d be the first U.S. airline to resume flying to Israel and that time has come,” United CEO Scott Kirby posted Thursday on LinkedIn. “We will continue to monitor the situation in Tel Aviv and adjust the schedule as needed.”
United’s first flights from Newark to Tel Aviv, set for March 2 and 4, will make a stop in Munich. The nonstop flights start on March 6.
Currently the State Department recommends that people “reconsider travel” to Israel, the West Bank, Lebanon and Egypt. Gaza and Syria are “do not travel” zones. Jordan is an “exercise increased caution” area. Cyprus is the only nearby country with no travel warnings from the State Department.