Israel's El Al to resume San Francisco flights to link Tel Aviv and Silicon Valley

El Al Israel Airlines will resume nonstop Tel Aviv Ben Gurion (TLV)–San Francisco International (SFO) service from October 25, 2026, operating three times per week on Sundays, Tuesdays, and Thursdays using Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner aircraft configured in Economy, Premium Economy, and Business Class (Reuters). The carrier assigned the route the unusual designation LY49, chosen in homage to the San Francisco 49ers NFL team.

El Al previously operated to San Francisco from late 2018 until early 2020, when the route was suspended due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The reinstatement makes San Francisco the airline's sixth U.S. destination, alongside New York JFK, Newark, Miami, Boston, and Los Angeles (FlightGlobal).

The San Francisco resumption is part of a wider El Al expansion in which the carrier has announced 11 new destinations in recent months across Asia, Europe, South America, and North America. Operationally, it is backed by an April 2026 order for up to 12 additional Boeing 787 Dreamliner aircraft. The airline cites two demand drivers: the Bay Area's large Israeli diaspora community and business travel between Tel Aviv and Silicon Valley's technology sector. Round-trip economy fares start at $1,199 inclusive of baggage and seat assignment. Each leg covers approximately 15 hours of flight time (Aviation Week).

Sources

• https://www.reuters.com/world/middle-east/israels-el-al-resume-san-francisco-flights-link-tel-aviv-silicon-valley-2026-06-01
• https://www.flightglobal.com/archive/2026/06/israels-el-al-to-open-new-us-destination
• https://www.jpost.com/business-and-innovation/article-898014
• https://aviationweek.com/air-transport/airports-networks/routes-networks-latest-rolling-daily-updates-wc-june-1-2026