Silicon Valley To Startup Nation: El Al Announces The Return Of Nonstop San Francisco To Tel Aviv Flights

For travelers flying between the two biggest tech hubs on the planet, the last few years have required a lot of patience. Since U.S. carriers suspended direct service to Israel, flying from the Bay Area to Tel Aviv has meant dealing with mandatory layovers, extra travel days, and complicated multi-airline itineraries.

Now, the wait for a seamless cross-continental commute is over.

In a major move for the aviation industry, El Al Israel Airlines has officially announced it will resume nonstop flights between San Francisco International Airport (SFO) and Tel Aviv’s Ben Gurion International Airport (TLV) starting October 25, 2026.

Whether you are a Silicon Valley tech worker heading out for face-to-face investor meetings, part of the extensive Northern California Israeli community, or just looking to book a vacation, here is what you need to know about this highly anticipated route.

Flight Schedule and a Clever Football Tribute

El Al is officially launching the route right at the start of the aviation winter season. The service will operate three times a week, bridging the Pacific and the Mediterranean every Sunday, Tuesday, and Thursday.

Because it is a grueling 15-hour long-haul flight, El Al is deploying its flagship fleet of advanced Boeing 787 Dreamliner aircraft. Passengers can choose between three distinct cabin classes: Economy, Premium, and Business.

In a fun marketing twist, the airline revealed that the outbound flight departing Israel will operate under a very specific flight number: LY49—a direct, intentional nod to the San Francisco 49ers.

"San Francisco is one of the world's most important centers for technology, innovation and business, with a large and influential Israeli community. The launch of the new route is intended to meet significant demand... and to enable a more direct, high-quality, and convenient connection between Israel and Silicon Valley."— Shlomi Zafrani, El Al's VP of Commerce and Sales.

The Strategic Battle for SFO

This route isn’t just convenient; it’s a massive tactical victory for El Al. Ever since United Airlines halted its popular SFO-TLV direct flights, the Bay Area has been completely underserved. By stepping back into this vacancy (a market El Al briefly served before the pandemic in 2019), the airline effectively commands a monopoly on direct flights out of northern California.

Furthermore, El Al has recently strengthened its strategic partnership with Delta Air Lines. This means West Coast travelers will find it significantly easier to book seamless North American connections, while frequent flyers can cross-earn miles and rewards points across both ecosystems.

With the addition of San Francisco, El Al’s North American footprint grows to six primary destinations. This winter, the airline will operate a massive 45 weekly flights across the Atlantic to New York (JFK and EWR), Miami, Boston, Los Angeles, and now, San Francisco.

Ticket Sales and Pricing

If you want to be on one of the inaugural winter flights, you don't have to wait. Ticket sales officially opened this week through the El Al website and travel agencies.

Starting Fares: Round-trip "Classic" Economy fares (which crucially include seat selection and a checked bag) are starting at $1,199 to $1,299, depending on the booking platform.

Early Booking Advice: Because this is currently the only game in town for a direct West Coast flight outside of Los Angeles, expect these flights—especially the premium cabins preferred by corporate tech travelers—to book up incredibly fast.