A Delta spokesman said today that Delta is seriously considering resuming its New York-Tel Aviv route as part of its international expansion at its JFK hub. Delta has tried this before, most recently in 2001, but suspended it along with a number of other routes after 9/11.
We were in the Delta terminal a great deal during the Summer of ’01 and distinctly remember long check-in lines for these flights. Currently, Delta has a codesharing arrangement with El Al on its Tel Aviv flights, and operates service from Atlanta to Tel Aviv, which is apparently doing well.
Should Delta decide to resume service, it would begin sometime in 2008. It has already met with the Director of the Israeli Tourism Ministry about expansion plans. It will likely make an announcement within the next few weeks.