Sign in Subscribe
Airports

Emirates, Etihad, and Qatar Airways Boost Connections from John F. Kennedy International Airport to Middle East for Winter 2025-2026 Season

Strategic Insights

— 1 min read

As the winter season approaches, John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) is poised to become a crucial global gateway, with Emirates, Etihad, and Qatar Airways set to increase connections to the Middle East. The airlines will add more flights per day and destinations to cities such as Dubai, Abu Dhabi, and Doha, targeting the rapidly growing number of passengers bound for these prominent destinations. This expansion will not only boost connections between New York and the Middle East but also reinforce JFK's status as one of the world's great airports for transit across the Atlantic and to and from the Middle East.

Key Takeaways:

  • Emirates, Etihad, and Qatar Airways will increase connections from JFK to the Middle East for the Winter 2025-2026 season, with up to 19 flights on peak days.
  • A total of 10 major international carriers will operate services to prominent Middle Eastern cities, including Tel Aviv, Doha, Dubai, and Abu Dhabi.
  • The airlines serving JFK Middle Eastern routes include Delta Air Lines, El Al, Emirates, Etihad Airways, Qatar Airways, Saudia, Royal Jordanian, Gulf Air, Kuwait Airways, and Arkia.
  • Gulf Air is making its return to JFK, while Arkia, which began operations in February 2025, is another new entrant. Riyadh Air is expected to join soon, but Oman Air has confirmed it will not be launching U.S. flights for the time being.
  • The JFK Middle Eastern flight operations this winter will feature a wide range of aircraft, including the Airbus A380, Airbus A350-1000, Airbus A330-200, Boeing 787s, and Airbus A330s.
  • One of the busiest days for JFK Middle Eastern flights will be December 14, 2025, with 19 departures scheduled, with nearly half of the flights heading to Tel Aviv.
  • American Airlines used to fly from JFK both to Tel Aviv and Doha but axed those routes in 2023 amid regional instability. The airline has expressed an intention to restore the routes but has not articulated a time frame.

Statistics:

  • 19 flights will depart from JFK to the Middle East on peak days.
  • 10 major international carriers will operate services to prominent Middle Eastern cities.
  • There will be a total of 18 daily departures from JFK to the Middle East during regular days.
  • 19 flights will depart on December 14, 2025, with nearly half of the flights heading to Tel Aviv.

Sources:

  • TourismAfrica2006
  • Emirates
  • Etihad Airways
  • Qatar Airways
  • Delta Air Lines
  • El Al
  • Saudia
  • Royal Jordanian
  • Gulf Air
  • Kuwait Airways
  • Arkia
  • American Airlines

Read more