Arkia Launches Direct TLV-JFK Flights
Arkia Israeli Airlines, the nation’s second-largest carrier, is set to commence direct flights between Tel Aviv and New York JFK starting February 9, 2024. In partnership with TechAir—a not-for-profit technology startup supporting Israeli business leaders and venture capitalists—this new service aims to address the growing demand for travel between Israel and the United States.
The new venture will operate three times per week, using a leased Airbus A330-900neo sourced from Spanish-Portuguese charter airline Iberojet. Known for its efficient fleet, Iberojet currently operates two A330-900neo aircraft, each with a seating capacity of 371 passengers, providing the necessary capacity and range to cover the 5,677-mile (9,083 km) route non-stop. While Arkia’s own fleet comprises five narrowbody aircraft (two Airbus A321LR, two Embraer 190s, and one Embraer 195), the carrier will rely on Iberojet’s aircraft, pilots, and part of its cabin crew. Arkia is expected to augment these flights by providing additional cabin crew representatives to offer language and cultural assistance to passengers on these transatlantic journeys.
The flight schedule under the new arrangement is designed to offer optimal convenience for both business and leisure travelers. Arkia flight IZ991 will depart Tel Aviv Ben Gurion International Airport (TLV) on Mondays and Wednesdays at around noon, arriving at New York JFK at 18:20 local time. Additionally, on Saturdays, the flight will depart TLV at 23:30, reaching New York the following morning at 05:50. The return services are equally well-planned: flight IZ991 will leave JFK on Tuesdays and Thursdays at 15:00, arriving in Tel Aviv at 08:00 the next day, while on Sundays it will depart JFK at 16:00 and land in TLV at 09:00 the following day. This timetable provides multiple options for passengers to fit travel plans with minimal disruption.
Ticket pricing for the new service is highly competitive with roundtrip economy fares starting at $1,199. The fare includes checked baggage, seating selection, and in-flight meals, all available for booking directly via the Arkia website. This attractive pricing comes at a time when travel demand has been escalating due to reduced direct service between Israel and the US—prompted by the suspension of routes by major U.S. carriers such as United, Delta, and American Airlines during conflicts involving Israel and regional tensions. With these suspensions, El Al had dominated the market, leading to soaring fares and forcing travelers to resort to lengthy, inconvenient connecting flights via Europe.
The collaboration with TechAir highlights the airline’s strategic focus on serving the high-tech industry and broader business sectors. TechAir’s forum connects Israeli entrepreneurs, startup founders, business investors, and venture capitalists who require frequent, reliable travel between Israel and the United States for face-to-face client meetings. According to TechAir, the partnership is pivotal to “ensuring affordable and flexible air travel between Israel and the United States and to mitigate the economic and logistical impact of limited direct flight availability on the busy Israel-New York corridor.”
Arkia CEO Oz Berlowitz celebrated the launch, saying, “This is a historic and significant day for Arkia. Launching the direct Tel Aviv-New York route is an important milestone, which shows our commitment to the Israeli public and to finding aviation solutions even in challenging times.” With this new service, Arkia intends to capture increased market share in the transatlantic market and provide a direct alternative for travelers previously facing limited options and high fares.
As the launch date approaches, industry analysts and passengers alike are eagerly anticipating the expanded connectivity offered by Arkia’s new direct TLV-JFK flights—a key development that promises enhanced travel convenience and competitive airfares in the region.
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