Updated: Delta flights from Athens in support of customers returning from Israel
Delta has completed three special repatriation flights this week from Athens, Greece, to New York to support customers returning to the U.S. from Israel. Regular service between Athens and the U.S. continues.
Editor’s note: This article was originally published on Oct. 13. It was updated to add new information.
Hundreds of people are back in the U.S. from Israel as part of Delta’s support of the State Department’s efforts to carry American citizens, permanent residents and their families out of Tel Aviv on government-arranged charter flights and back to the U.S. with commercial airlines.
While the charters are ending and the direct flights Delta added between Athens (ATH), Greece, and New York are complete, the global carrier continues to offer once-daily flights between ATH and Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL) and JFK. It also operates service between ATH and Boston Logan International Airport (BOS) three times a week. Customers wishing to book seats on those flights can do so on delta.com.
About Delta’s repatriation flights
Delta added three flights, or extra sections -- one per day Oct. 16-18 from Athens International Airport Eleftherios Venizelos (ATH) to New York’s John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK). All three extra sections were operated by a Delta Airbus A330-900 aircraft with 281 total seats. The extra sections carried a total of 455 customers across the three days and were in addition to Delta’s regular service between the U.S. and the Greek capital.
Ongoing assessment of Tel Aviv service
Delta has canceled service to and from TLV through Oct. 31. As always, the safety of customers and crew remains the airline’s paramount priority. The airline’s people are keeping our customers and those impacted top of mind as they continuously monitor the rapidly evolving security environment and assess its operations based on security guidance and intelligence reports, including the most recent U.S. Department of State travel advisory.
Delta extended its waiver for all customers currently booked to and from Tel Aviv’s Ben Gurion Airport (TLV) so they can rebook their travel on available flights through Sept. 6, 2024. The waiver also allows these customers to process their own refunds via the Fly Delta app, delta.com or by calling Delta Reservations for refund support.
While booking is suspended for TLV flights to and from ATL and BOS, customers can make reservations on flights between JFK and TLV for travel Nov. 1 and beyond. Seats on Delta partner airlines remain bookable on delta.com and through Delta Reservations when available.
Customers should be prepared for possible adjustments to Delta’s TLV flight schedule, including additional cancelations on a rolling basis, as needed for the safety of our customers and crew while remaining committed to assisting those needing travel.
Delta contributes to humanitarian support for those impacted in the region
Delta has contributed $1 million to the American Red Cross for the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) toward humanitarian efforts for Israelis, Palestinians and all people impacted in the region.
Members of the Red Cross movement, Magen David Adom and the Palestinian Red Crescent Society have mobilized to provide emergency assistance such as health services, emergency care, ambulance services and other critical needs. It is anticipated that this situation will remain extremely volatile. The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies and the International Committee of the Red Cross are coordinating closely with both Magen David Adom and the Palestinian Red Crescent Society.
The American Red Cross is Delta's longest-standing nonprofit partner, and the partnership has allowed the airline, its customers and employees to help people in need worldwide since 1941. This contribution is in addition to Delta's $1 million grant to the American Red Cross as an Annual Disaster Giving Program partner.