Delta and American Airlines extend flight suspension to Israel

FORT WORTH, Texas — Delta Air Lines announced on Wednesday that it will extend its suspension of flights to Israel until October 31, as the conflict between Israel and Hamas shows no signs of resolution. The airline stated that it is continuously monitoring the security situation and making operational assessments based on intelligence reports. This decision follows American Airlines' recent extension of its flight suspension to Tel Aviv through March 29, 2024. Both Delta and American Airlines have informed customers with canceled tickets that they can rebook their flights, typically without additional charges, or opt for a refund. Delta is facilitating rebooking on partner airlines such as El Al and Air France, while American Airlines is coordinating with its partners to assist travelers flying from Israel to European cities with onward connections to the U.S. The suspension of flights to Israel began shortly after the Hamas attack on October 7, which marked the start of the ongoing war. United Airlines has also halted its services to Israel indefinitely. While many international airlines ceased operations to Tel Aviv, some have since resumed flights. Notably, carriers such as El Al, British Airways, Air France, Wizz Air, and flydubai continue to operate flights to Israel. In a related development, Germany’s Lufthansa announced on Monday that it would suspend all flights to the Middle East, including destinations like Tel Aviv and Beirut, based on a recent security analysis.