Tel Aviv, Israel (June 1, 2026)
El Al Israel Airlines is expanding its long-haul network with a new nonstop route between Tel Aviv and San Francisco, strengthening the Israeli carrier’s presence on the U.S. West Coast.
The new service is scheduled to begin October 25, 2026, with three weekly flights operating on Sundays, Tuesdays, and Thursdays. The route will be flown on Boeing 787 Dreamliner aircraft, offering Economy, Premium, and Business class seating for the roughly 15-hour journey between Ben Gurion Airport and San Francisco International Airport.
The launch is aimed at serving growing demand from business travelers, particularly in the technology sector, as well as Israeli and Jewish communities across Silicon Valley and the greater Bay Area. The route is expected to provide a direct travel option for passengers who currently rely on connecting flights through other U.S. or European cities.
El Al is also giving the route a local touch, assigning the Tel Aviv-to-San Francisco flight the number LY49 in a nod to the San Francisco 49ers.
The San Francisco addition comes as El Al continues a broad international expansion across several regions, including North America, Europe, Asia, and South America. The airline has announced multiple new destinations in recent months as it works to meet rising travel demand and reinforce Israel’s direct air links with major global markets.
With the new Bay Area route, El Al’s North American winter schedule is expected to reach 45 weekly flights. The airline will serve six major U.S. markets: New York through both JFK and Newark, Miami, Boston, Los Angeles, and San Francisco.
The expansion reflects the airline’s continued focus on the North American market, which remains one of its most important international regions. For travelers between Israel and Northern California, the new route is expected to offer a significant convenience boost, reducing travel time and providing a direct connection between two major technology and innovation hubs.