United has closed sales of flights between Washington DC and Tel Aviv through at least October 30th.
Whether United will resume this route remains an open question as the flight didn’t meet expectations even before COVID. I wouldn’t be surprised to see Chicago-Tel Aviv wind up replacing Washington DC service, with that perhaps ramping up to daily service. I also wouldn’t be surprised to see United try their hand at Los Angeles-Tel Aviv before attempting Washington DC-Tel Aviv again.
United’s predecessor Continental dominated the US carrier market to Tel Aviv, but United now faces growing competition from American and Delta. American doesn’t fly to Tel Aviv now, but plans to fly from Dallas, JFK, and Miami to Tel Aviv this year. Delta launched their flagship suites product on their JFK-Tel Aviv flight (though I’m not a big fan of them) and plans to fly that route twice daily year-round.
Meanwhile, United will shrink capacity to Tel Aviv, besides from their DC cuts:
- United evening flights 90/91 between Newark-Tel Aviv will continue to operate daily, but has been downgauged from a 777-300 to a 787-10 through October 29th.
- United morning/afternoon flights 84/85 between Newark-Tel Aviv will operate 3-5 times weekly through May 5th, before returning to daily flights. It is slated to be operated by a 787-10 through the end of scheduling.
- United flights between San Francisco-Tel Aviv will operate 3 times weekly from March 21st through May 5th, before returning to daily flights. It has been downgauged from a 777-300 or 787-10 to a 787-9 through the end of scheduling.
- United flights between Chicago-Tel Aviv are suspended through May 6th. They are slated to restart on May 7th with 3 weekly flights, Sunday, Tuesday, and Friday to Tel Aviv and Sunday, Tuesday, and Thursday to Chicago. It will be operated with a 787-9.
Do you think United will restore Washington DC-Tel Aviv service this year?
Could be years till United returns to DC. I think AA will include PHL at some point if their other markets succeed. Maybe Delta taking in ATL or Detroit?
For AA, maybe PHL, but then again maybe LAX or CLT.
Delta seems pretty happy with JFK. I can see them adding a 3rd JFK before ATL or DTW.
Good for those seated in Economy on the Newark flights.
This is true. Less good for business though.
Bigger difference for those seated in Economy than those seated in Business, though.
Was looking at flights from EWR to TLV between Y”K and Succos. Basically the only flight possible would be M”S. They don’t have any seats available to purchase on that flight, but there is a 4:30 pm flight on shabbos, which (obviously) is wide open.
Any chance United would be able to change the time of that 4:30 flight for that day, or is too big of a deal?
https://www.dansdeals.com/points-travel/israel/dansdeals-reader-complains-united-changes-time-post-yom-kippur-flight-tel-aviv/
How do we get them. To do this for a ORD-TLV flight in September? Any advice or point me in the right direction. I would appreciate.
United changed the September 18th flight time from 1045pm to 1110pm after i emailed them that i have a big group on that flight
Who did you email?
5 top executives in united
Can you share their contact info? I also think if they switch this flight we can guarantee at least 100 seats. Can you see my email address or anyway you can message me offline?
Could you explain “downgauge”?
Downgauge refers to a change to a smaller aircraft.
Upgauge would be to a larger aircraft.
Please Please Please start from LAX-TLV!!!!!!!! Can’t believe we only have one airline currently flying nonstop from LAX-TLV…..
I think it’s likely that AA or United will launch LAX-TLV within the next couple years.
We have a flight booked for this summer. Does that mean the flight is cancelled??
Don’t expect it to operate this summer.
Dan,
How do you know that UA 84 will only operate 3-5 times a week? Do you know the dates.
Im on UA84 on March 21st with my family (booked in Nov.) and cant take that flight. They will not give me ETC. will my flight be canceled then I can get a refund?
It will operate on the 21st. Cancelled on 20th and 22nd.
Try sending them a on DM on Twitter to get an ETC?
I don’t have twitter. any other effective way?
Signup?
Can try SMS, but not as effective:
https://www.dansdeals.com/points-travel/airlines/united/multiple-avenues-contacting-united-means-easier-ever-play-huca/
THANK YOU! IT WORKED!
I signed up, I DM them and they gave me ETC. (I must have called over 10 times the 1K desk without any luck)
Awesome, my pleasure.
Well this is what Israeli TA’s just got now:
https://trailer.web-view.net/Show/0X138256E9CB5F36D0A7FFB4B9798D88FF51325DF4510BB6EE850819EF2745C339.htm
*HT yed 🙂