Carrier Expands North America Network With Three Weekly Dreamliner Flights
EL AL Israel Airlines will launch a new nonstop route between Tel Aviv and San Francisco beginning October 25, 2026, restoring direct air service between Israel and Northern California after more than six years.
The airline said it will operate three weekly flights between Ben Gurion International Airport in Tel Aviv and San Francisco International Airport using Boeing 787 Dreamliner aircraft. The service is aimed at strengthening travel links between Israel and Silicon Valley while supporting growing demand from business travelers and the large Israeli community in the San Francisco Bay Area.
The flights will operate on Sundays, Tuesdays, and Thursdays, with each journey lasting about 15 hours. Departures from Tel Aviv are scheduled overnight, while return flights from San Francisco will leave in the afternoon.
EL AL assigned the outbound service flight number LY49, referencing the San Francisco 49ers football team. The carrier previously operated the route from late 2018 until suspending service in early 2020 during the COVID-19 pandemic.
The launch also comes as United Airlines has indefinitely suspended its own service on the route, creating an opportunity for EL AL to re-enter the market.
Route Targets Technology and Business Demand
The airline said the San Francisco route is designed to address increasing demand from technology professionals and companies with ties between Israel and the Bay Area, one of the world’s largest technology and innovation centers.
Shlomi Zafrani, Senior Vice President of Commercial and Sales at EL AL, said San Francisco stands as one of the world’s most important centers for technology, innovation, and business, with a large and influential Israeli community.
He added that the route aims to meet demand from the business sector and the regional Israeli community and to create a more direct and convenient connection between Israel and Silicon Valley.
The route is expected to appeal to travelers working in the technology, venture capital, cybersecurity, and startup sectors, industries that maintain close links between Israel and Northern California.
Dreamliner Aircraft to Serve the Route
EL AL will operate the flights using its Boeing 787 Dreamliner fleet, which includes Economy, Premium, and Business class cabins.
The airline has been expanding its long-haul capabilities as part of a broader growth strategy. In April, EL AL confirmed plans to purchase up to 12 additional Boeing 787 Dreamliners to support its expanding international network.
Ticket sales for the San Francisco service opened Monday through EL AL’s website and travel agency partners. Round-trip fares in Classic Economy begin at $1,199 and include checked baggage and seat selection.
EL AL Expands North America Presence
The San Francisco launch forms part of EL AL’s broader effort to strengthen its position in the North American market.
During the upcoming winter season, the airline expects to operate 45 weekly flights to six U.S. destinations. In addition to San Francisco, EL AL currently serves New York through John F. Kennedy International Airport and Newark Liberty International Airport, as well as Miami, Boston, and Los Angeles.
The carrier also continues to deepen its cooperation with Delta Air Lines through a strategic partnership agreement that allows travelers to connect onward across North America.
Under the agreement, customers can combine EL AL’s nonstop transatlantic flights with Delta-operated domestic services while earning Matmid loyalty points and Diamonds benefits on combined itineraries.
Part of Broader International Growth Strategy
The San Francisco route is one of several network additions announced by EL AL in recent months as the airline pursues wider global expansion.
The carrier said it has introduced or announced 11 new destinations across Asia, Europe, South America, and North America as part of its long-term strategy to strengthen its international presence.
The expansion reflects growing demand for international travel to and from Israel, particularly among business travelers and diaspora communities seeking direct connections to major global markets.
With the return of nonstop service to San Francisco, EL AL is positioning itself to capture renewed demand between Israel and one of the world’s most influential business and technology hubs.
