A United Airlines Boeing 777-200ER. Photo: Wikimedia Commons.

United Airlines announced on Thursday the upcoming launch of the first-ever nonstop route between Washington, DC, and Tel Aviv.

Introducing new nonstop service from Washington, D.C. to Tel Aviv: https://t.co/BaFGrGCNrr #NewRoute pic.twitter.com/lwKJ8oEklQ

— United Airlines (@united) August 2, 2018

From May 22, 2019, there will be three weekly flights in each direction linking Dulles International Airport and Ben-Gurion International Airport.

The route will be serviced by Boeing 777-200ER aircraft.

“As we begin celebrating 20 years of service in Israel, we want to thank our customers and employees who have helped make United the top US airline serving Israel,” Patrick Quayle, United’s vice president of International Network, stated. “We thank the Israeli government for its ongoing support and partnership. We look forward to continuing to serve Israel with this new service for our customers traveling between the US capital and one of the most advanced science and technology sectors in the world.”

Israeli Tourism Minister Yariv Levin said, “We are thrilled to welcome another United Airlines flight to Israel from the United States. Today’s announcement is a wonderful way to celebrate United’s 20 year history in Israel and opens many more opportunities for both countries to continue to build strong relationships while growing business and expanding tourism.”

United already operates two daily nonstop flights to Israel from New York and one from San Francisco.

In the 1990s, Israel’s flag carrier El Al offered a since-discontinued route to Tel Aviv from Baltimore-Washington International Airport that included a layover in New York.