El Al Israel Airlines said it will resume nonstop flights linking Tel Aviv and San Francisco on October 25, restoring a direct connection between the Israeli capital and one of the United States' major technology centers.
The carrier plans to operate three weekly services on the route, each taking roughly 15 hours, and has designated the schedule as flight LY49 - a nod to the San Francisco 49ers football team.
Shlomi Zafrani, El Al's vice president of commerce and sales, framed the reinstated service as a response to market demand. "San Francisco is one of the most important technology, innovation and business hubs in the world, with a large and central Israeli community," he said. "The opening of the new route is intended to respond to significant demand from the business and Israeli community in the region, and to enable a more direct ... and convenient connection between Israel and Silicon Valley."
The Tel Aviv - San Francisco link is a reactivation of a route El Al previously operated from late 2018 until early 2020, when the company suspended service as the COVID-19 pandemic disrupted international travel. The carrier said the San Francisco relaunch is part of a broader expansion of its long-haul network.
In April, El Al announced plans to purchase up to 12 additional Boeing 787 Dreamliner aircraft, a move the airline says will support its growth on long-distance routes. The San Francisco service will increase the roster of nonstop flights from Israel to U.S. destinations beyond the carrier's existing nonstop links to New York, Miami, Boston and Los Angeles.
Context and implications
By restoring a direct link to San Francisco, El Al is reconnecting Tel Aviv with a major center of technology, innovation and corporate activity. The service is positioned to serve both business travelers and the sizable Israeli community in the Bay Area, according to company comments.
The airline's planned acquisition of additional long-haul Dreamliners was cited as part of the same expansion effort, although the announcement described the purchase as "up to" 12 aircraft, indicating the total remains subject to finalization.
Operational history on the route underscores vulnerability to global disruptions: the prior service was halted during the COVID-19 pandemic, and El Al’s decision to reinstate the route follows improving conditions and perceived demand.