US Airways Wants to Fly Philly to Tel Aviv Nonstop

In what may be its most ambitious route ever, US Airways wants to loft nonstop service from its Philadelphia (PHL) gateway to Tel Aviv (TLV) beginning next July 2. Service would be daily, and a long-range A330-200 would make the trip.

Approval is subject to government approval.

The way things are right now, Philly flyers have to get to either Newark Liberty International (EWR) or New York Kennedy (JFK) to catch a Tel Aviv nonstop.

El Al offers nonstop service from both JFK and EWR, while Delta Air Lines lofts nonstop JFK-Tel Aviv service. Continental fields nonstop Newark-TLV flights.

The proposed route would mark US Airways' first sojourn to the Middle East, tying Tel Aviv with much of the rest of its route structure. If governmental green lights are forthcoming, Tel Aviv would become the 21st transatlantic destination US Airways serves from its Philadelphia gateway, a gateway that has improved markedly in the past couple of years in terms of connectivity and service quality.

In its old incarnation - before US Airways merged with America West and new management took over - baggage, personnel, and morale problems plagued the carrier's high-profile Philadelphia operation.

© Cheapflights Ltd Jerry Chandler